BusTalk

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon May 25, 2026 6:53 pm Post subject:

MaBSTOA 15:

I took several photos of these derelict "ME-1s" at Tottenville, years ago; seemed that they were there forever.....they looked so lonely and forgotten.

The blue-striped "R-44" ("ME-2") further dates this nostalgic photo.

Back in the day, Mom and I rode these old relics probably more than many Staten Island residents ever did! (according to Mom!) Shocked

Back in the early 60s, we also would ride the little ferryboats to Perth Amboy ("SUNRISE FERRIES" then operated the dimiutive boats); the ramshackle ferry houses STILL remain fixed in my mind! Very Happy

"NYO"

["RIDE THE RAPID"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon May 25, 2026 11:03 pm Post subject:

Where has the time gone?

This year marks 63 years since the Tottenville-Perth Ambot Ferry closed down (it had been operated by the SIRT until 1948, with walking-beam sidewheelers)

And, this uear, it will be 53 years since the ancient "ME-1s" (aka "Staten Island Toonervilles" were were retired, replaced with the now retired "ME-2s" ("R-44s")

The last vehicles were carried on the SI boats in 2001.

The last steam-powered ferries in the fleet (the "MERRELL" class) have now fone been gone well over 40 years......

{"STATEN USLAND"]

Cyberider · Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 1527 Location: Tempe, AZ

So, are the R-211's ME-3's?

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue May 26, 2026 6:53 pm Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2026 9:45 am Post subject:

From 1010 WINS...............

Roumers are afloat (pun intended!) that the retiredSI ferryboat "JOHN F.KENNEDY"mi ght be leaving her Staten Island drydock, and will be docked down at the Seaport, for use as a "venue" during the World Cup, and other major events.

Recall, the ferry had been purchased for conversion into a floating comedy club....we shall see..........

"NYO"

["DEPARTMENT OF MARINE & AVIATION"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2026 7:53 pm Post subject:

On this day in 1946...........

The old St. George terminal perished in a massive blaze; the ferry "MISS NEW YORK" had just pulled out for for Whitehall Street, thus avoiding a massive loss of life.

Fireboats and tugboats from all over NY Harbor were called in to help battle the huge inferno.

Several SIRT "ME-1s" were also destroyed in the blaze, which smoldered for several days afterwards.

The present terminal opened in 1951............

'NYO"

["NEXT BOAT"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2026 2:50 pm Post subject:

Further..............

Look at how many fires have plagued the SIRT, ever since the earliest days of the "ME-1s"........weird.

Some had thought that the 1946 St. George fire was caused by sparks from an SIRT train, but accounts stated that no trains were moving in or out of the terminal, when the fire broke out, on that hot June day, so long ago........

'NYO"

['RIDE THE RAPID"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2026 9:50 pm Post subject:

The retired "ME-2s" ("R-44s")........

Wonder how many are still in reserve; also, how many have since left the "Isle of Staten" for the scrappers?:

Wonder, also, how many SIRT commuters miss the more comfortable seating arrangement of the old "44s"?

"NYO"

["5:10 TOTTENVILLE LOCAL"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2026 10:30 am Post subject:

IF the "Staten Is;and Rattlers"("R-211s") WERE to last as long as the now-retired "44s", they'd, no doubt, be replaced by Maglexs........ Shocked

Ain't now way the "SIRs" could match THAT impressive recordr, established by the rugged "44s"]...... Shocked

"NYO"

["4:55 GREAT KILLS EXPRESS"]

W.B. Fishbowl · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2026 1:56 pm Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2026 2:50 pm Post subject:

W.B.:

Like many others, I never thought of the "44s" ("ME-2s) asting over 50 years in service; if only they (and their subway cousins retained their original blue stripes.

IMHO. those solidcars became as much of the everyday fabric of the "Isle of Staten" as did the venerable "ME-1s" before them....indeed, an era ended when the "44s"were put out to pasrure......

"NYO"

['SIRTOA"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2026 9:13 am Post subject:

All is NOT merry on the Ferry...............

Due to the massive 4th of July festivities, the SI Ferry will not be running on the 4th, from 8 AMh through 1:30 PM, and again from 8 though 10PM.

Staten Islanders MOT pleased, as you might expe4ct.

"......the Ferry is our lifeline....", stated one Staten Islanfer.

The MTA will be running extra express buses, via the VZ.

It would seem that this would also affect SIRT schedules..........

"NYO"

["NEXT BOAT"]

W.B. Fishbowl · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2026 12:50 pm Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2026 4:07 pm Post subject:

W.B:

Well, unlike their subway counterparts, the "Staten Island Rattlers" only have one short tunnel to contend with......

"NYO"

["TOTTENVILLE"]

W.B. Fishbowl · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2026 1:49 am Post subject: