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Bush Terminal - Locomotive, Non Revenue & Marine Equipment Rosters & Photos

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OF BROOKLYN, QUEENS, STATEN ISLAND, BRONX & MANHATTAN:


BUSH TERMINAL RAILROAD

Locomotive, Non Revenue & Marine Equipment - Rosters & Photographs

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updated:
Wednesday, 11 January 2023 - 15:00


Plymouth demonstrator added11 January 2023Diesel - Electric Locomotives
Locomotive Roster

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Locomotive Overview

Locomotive Overview - top of page

Railroad Equipment Photo Index:

Passenger Equipment


Steam Locomotives


Electric Locomotives

Gas & Diesel - Electric
Locomotives

Non-Revenue Equipment
No # 0-4-4Trolley #1 [1st]1245
910Plymouth Demonstrator GE-1 #2001

Reacher / Idler
#100

Reacher / Idler
#101
Trolley #1 [2nd]

Trolley #1 [3rd]

11

12

14

20

22 23

1

2

3

4

5

Rail Crane
Ohio Locomotive





6

7 88

89

Locomotive Roster

Marine Equipment Overview 

Lighter photosTugboat photos

Carfloat photos

Marine Equipment Roster

Back to Bush Terminal Main Page


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Bush Terminal enginehouse on 43rd Street - unknown date (ca. 1910)
E. E. Rutter photo
Brooklyn Public Library archives

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Steam Locomotives

     Bush Terminal would come to own a rather modest fleet of locomotives over their history. In its earliest days, it employed the use of steam locomotives, as well a few overhead electric. It is believed the electric locomotives were used for street running (taking advantage of the trolley wires) and to access the northern parts of the properties, as well as for the interchange with South Brooklyn Railway, which was also electrified. This however has not been definitively confirmed.

    When Irving Bush first organized his terminal, he describes his purchase of his first locomotive from the Erie Railroad on pages 21 & 22 in his book "Working with the World" (Doubleday Doran, 1928):

"When the warehouse walls that I had started began to rise, I purchased for twelve hundred dollars a second-hand switch engine from the Erie Railroad. Those were not years of prosperity for the Erie, and any locomotive which the Erie was ready to discard had seen its best days. It was short and fat and squat, with its water tank like a camel's hump on its back. It was not a big engine, even as locomotives went in those days, and probably the reason the Erie parted with it was that it had ceased to be powerful enough for railroad work. It did valiant service for us over a number of years, and when we grew prosperous enough to afford heavy locomotives fresh from the shop, we sold the old Erie engine for three hundred dollars more than I paid for it, so I have no complaint of that transaction. While it worked for us, it was respendent with our name in gold letters emblazoned upon its water tank, and as it puffed about our little railroad yard, my heart swelled with pride.

   From his description, I think it can be surmised that this locomotive was of saddletank configuration. I unfortunately, I have not been able to locate this locomotive in any of the builders records I have at my disposal.

    Bush Terminal also purchased his next two locomotives used as well. Both were 0-4-4T and formerly of New York Elevated / Manhattan Railway service. At this time, it does not appear that Bush Terminal saw it fit to number either of these locomotives. Fortunately, a single image of one of these 0-4-4T locos is known to exist and resides in the Brooklyn Public Library. I was fortunate enough to acquire a copy slide from the W. J. Madden archives:


no number 0-4-4T with Bush Docks coach #101 - ca. 1905
unknown photographer
W. J. Madden archives
authors collection

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Bush Docks Railway - unknown date
Presumably for the very early passenger service before trolley.
facsimile signature of Irving T. Bush
authors collection

1 3/16" x 2 1/8"
added 07 May 2023

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no number 0-4-4T with Bush Docks coach #101 - ca. 1903
unknown photographer

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no number 0-4-4T with Bush Docks warehouse flat carts 6 & 3 - ca. 1903
unknown photographer


   After those two, all other steam locomotives, and the two steeplecab overhead electric locomotives, appear to have be purchased new.

   Numbering of the steam locomotives ran as high as #16, with #9 and #10 electric locomotives interspersed in the numbering sequence as they were acquired. All other electric locomotives (#20, #23, #26) are numbered in the "20's" and did not coincide with the numbering of the steam locomotives. More about this in the chapter.

   Upon the passage of the Kaufman Act, which in effect eliminated the use of steam locomotives within city limits; those railroads operating with the city confines had to turn to alternate methods of motive power. This coincided with Ingersoll - Rand's development of an internal combustion boxcab locomotive. You can read more about the Kaufman Act on the main page of this website: Kaufman Act.

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#5, #6 and others on the dead line - unknown date - Bush Terminal, Brooklyn, NY
G. Collora archives
authors collection

added 09 March 2011

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Locomotive Overview - top of page

Railroad Equipment Photo Index:

Passenger Equipment


Steam Locomotives


Electric Locomotives

Gas & Diesel - Electric
Locomotives

Non-Revenue Equipment
No # 0-4-4Trolley #1 [1st]1245
910Plymouth Demonstrator GE-1 #2001

Reacher / Idler
#100

Reacher / Idler
#101
Trolley #1 [2nd]

Trolley #1 [3rd]

11

12

14

20

22 23

1

2

3

4

5

Rail Crane
Ohio Locomotive





6

7 88

89

Locomotive Roster

Marine Equipment Overview 

Lighter photosTugboat photos

Carfloat photos

Marine Equipment Roster

Back to Bush Terminal Main Page




Steam Locomotives

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Bush Terminal enginehouse on 43rd Street - unknown date (ca. 1910)
E. E. Rutter photo
Brooklyn Public Library archives

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#1


#1 - unknown date
SMU E. L. DeGolyer Library archives
author's collection

Author's notes:
Please compare this photo to the G. Votava photo of #4 below.

The engine coupled in front of #1 in this photo has no all weather curtain, as in the photo of #4,
This photo of #1 has a steeple cab electric, coupled to rear, as in the photo of #4,
The main rods and wheel counterweights are in same position in both #1 and #4 photos,
The bell cord has the same "sag" in both photos,
The stack cover is tied and creased the same in both #1 and #4 photos,
The #4 photo clearly has the #4 in the number board on headlight, (the headlight is missing in #1 photo),
but the number plate in the #1 photo is clear enough to show the numeral 1.

Making matters even more difficult, is upon having the image scanning technician at the Southern Methodist University
DeGolyer Library look at the original photo, his interpretation of the build plate number is 22533.
While this c/n was not assigned to a BT loco, (22533 was a PRR 2-8-0);
Baldwin c/n 23533 was assigned to BT #6 (six)! 22533 and 23533 are almost identical in appearance, and
I have no difficulty believing that #1 c/n could look like the #6 c/n,
but on the face of the photo comparison between #1 and #4 and without a photo of #6;
I can still draw no firm conclusion at this time.

Not only that, but BT #4 (c/n 22638), which with a little blurriness as well; could also pass for 22533
(3's look like 8's as could 6's and 5's)
The most foretelling fact remains, is that the Baldwin Locomotive Records show no record of a BTRR #1 (or #2 for that matter).
Please feel free to contact me, if anyone can shed any light on this: bedt14@aol.com 

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#2

#2 - March 6, 1903
in rear of warehouses 7, 8, 9, 10
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#4


#4 - June 7, 1933
G. Votava photo
D. Keller archives

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#4 - 1930 - main Bush yard
crew is listed as Engineer Wallace, Fireman Kowoski, Brakeman Laffie.
William J. Rugen photo?
(a copy resides in Queens Public Library Digital Archives)
authors archives

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 1924 - 43rd Street
L. Kilian archives
T. Flagg collection

added 15 May 2009

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#5


#5 - unknown date
unknown photographer

via T. Flagg

added 15 May 2009
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#11

#11 - unknown magazine
This photo, while misattributed to being a "electric" locomotive, clearly is not. Bush Terminal #11 is confirmed to be a Baldwin 0-4-0T built in 1910.
Furthermore, it shows the woman to be on the firemans side of the cab, not the engineers side; which has raised the question of being "posed"; which it may very well be.
However, by calling her a "driver" leads me to believe this is from an British magazine, and they operate their locomotives from the left side of the cab (traditionally the firemans side in the US).
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#12


#12 - ALCo (Schenectady) Builders Photo
SMU E. L. DeGolyer Library archives
author's collection

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#14


#14 - June 7, 1933
G. Votava photo
D. Keller archives

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Locomotive Overview - top of page

Railroad Equipment Photo Index:

Passenger Equipment


Steam Locomotives


Electric Locomotives

Gas & Diesel - Electric
Locomotives

Non-Revenue Equipment
No # 0-4-4Trolley #1 [1st]1245
910Plymouth Demonstrator GE-1 #2001

Reacher / Idler
#100

Reacher / Idler
#101
Trolley #1 [2nd]

Trolley #1 [3rd]

11

12

14

20

22 23

1

2

3

4

5

Rail Crane
Ohio Locomotive





6

7 88

89

Locomotive Roster

Marine Equipment Overview 

Lighter photosTugboat photos

Carfloat photos

Marine Equipment Roster

Back to Bush Terminal Main Page



Electric Locomotives

   The history on some of the overhead electric locomotives that were employed by Bush Terminal is clear; yet on others, it is spotty at best.

   Originally, it was thought that only three electric locomotives were purchased, but now appears a fourth one existed, with a possibility of a fifth.

   While we had photographic proof that #9, #10 and #23 operated for Bush, that was the extent of our knowledge. That is until this author was sorting through the collection of railroad books my father left to me upon his passing. I happen across a rather well used catalog "Industrial Haulage" from General Electric, dated November 1920. (Bulletin 44251 Class 410).

    On page 33, in the "Docks & Warehouses" chapter I happen across a small image of #23. A pleasant surprise, but no revelation. I turn the page and there are two more Bush Terminal electrics. #20 at the top center and a smaller image at bottom left on an unnumbered steeple cab. Wait a minute... #20? What #20?? I don't have any record for a #20...

   I look at the image, and it while it appears airbrushed, the numberboard on the headlight and the number on the body clearly say No. 20. A close examination of the locomotive makes it out to be almost identical to #9: oval opera windows at the top of the cab, a door in the middle of two cab windows, but in a different livery. Also the grab irons at the front and rear of the #20 do not have posts, but #9 does. Clearly a different locomotive. The caption under the image states "50-Ton Trolley Type Locomotive for Switching Service. Bush Terminal, New York City."

   This "find" triggers a memory: a few years before, I remember being contacted by Dave Keller, who sent me an image of a boxy steeple cab electric locomotive missing its trolley pole. The location given is Passaic Junction and the date April 20, 1944. But according to Dave, the envelope is marked Bush Terminal #26. Information comes from an email I received from Bill Wall on 27 March 2011:

"The engine shown is actually ex-Connecticut Company #1053, Baldwin Westinghouse construction #38834, built in 1913 and used in Waterbury until 1937. It was then resold to a dealer and wound up at Fort Hancock in NJ and used there until 1943/44. It was then sold to Transit Equipment Company of Passiac, NJ, who in turn resold it to the Kansas City Kaw Valley RR, where it was scrapped in 1956.

The above information comes from the book "Interurban Electric Locomotives from Baldwin-Westinghouse" by James A. Strapac, published in 2001.

Looks like the photo was mislabeled and someone guessed it was from Bush Terminal. If you look on your Military Web Site, you will find the same locomotive. Also, it was standard gauge."

   As such, #26 has been removed from the roster. However, Bill dropped a more significant "bombshell":

Finally, the electrics of Bush Terminal were renumbered at one point. I believe #9 became #20 (with a few modifications since it was built), #10 became #22 and #23 stayed as is. You can find some of this in the companion book to the above, "Interurban Electric Locomotives by General Electric" by James A. Strapac.

I must say, I enjoy your sites, having grown up by the Bush Terminal.

Bill Wall

   So, with this, the roster below has been amended to show this information as well. As I replied to Bill, I wonder if there was a #21.




#9


#9
Sprague Library archives

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#9 - unknown date (ca. 1911)
E. E. Rutter photo
Brooklyn Public Library archives

copy slide authors collection

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#10


1907 - American Locomotive Co. builders photo w/ builders data card
unknown photographer
ALCo Historic Photos archives
authors collection

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#10 - April? 1907 - General Electric builders photo - Schenectady, NY
Mohawk River in background.
General Electric Company cyanotype (converted to black & white by author)
authors collection

added 22 October 2016

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#10 - ca. January 1911 - Second Avenue loft buildings
Cassier's Magazine
via T. Flagg

added 15 May 2009

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#10 - from "Industrial Haulage" Bulletin 44251, General Electric Company - November 1920
authors collection

added 11 June 2010

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#20


#20 - from "Industrial Haulage" Bulletin 44251, General Electric Company - November 1920
authors collection

added 11 June 2010

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#20
- unknown date
Note lettering has changed from
BUSH TERMINAL R. R. [door] № 22
to
BUSH TERMINAL [door] R. R.CO. № 22
William J. Rugen photo
courtesy Queens Public Library Digital Archives
color corrected by author
reuploaded 21 May 2019

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#22


#22 - ca. 1935
R. Ziel photo
authors collection

added 28 April 2012

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#23


GE demonstrator #4903 (to become Bush Terminal #23) - 1916
General Electric display at Panama - Pacific International Exposition, San Francisco, CA
H. Goldsmith photo

added 09 March 2012

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#23 - August 8, 1916

General Electric photo.

General Electric / R. Corley archives
added 09 March 2012

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#23 - glass plate negative - ca. 1916
provenance unknown
added 11 January 2023
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#23 - from "
Industrial Haulage" Bulletin 44251, General Electric Company - November 1920
authors collection

added 11 June 2010

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#23 - June 7, 1933
G. Votava photo
D. Keller archives

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#23 - September 26, 1936
H. Fagerberg photo
authors collection

Locomotive Overview - top of page

Railroad Equipment Photo Index:

Passenger Equipment


Steam Locomotives


Electric Locomotives

Gas & Diesel - Electric
Locomotives

Non-Revenue Equipment
No # 0-4-4Trolley #1 [1st]1245
910Plymouth Demonstrator GE-1 #2001

Reacher / Idler
#100

Reacher / Idler
#101
Trolley #1 [2nd]

Trolley #1 [3rd]

11

12

14

20

22 23

1

2

3

4

5

Rail Crane
Ohio Locomotive





6

7 88

89

Locomotive Roster

Marine Equipment Overview 

Lighter photosTugboat photos

Carfloat photos

Marine Equipment Roster

Back to Bush Terminal Main Page




Gasoline - Electric and Diesel - Electric Locomotives



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   With the passage of the Kaufman "Anti-Smoke" Act in 1925, and the resulting injunctions and amendments; the days were getting closer where the terminal railroads in New York City needed to replace their steam powered locomotives. With the final amendment about to take effect in 1931; the smaller railroads in this area were trying out anything and all to meet the regulations and stay in the terminal railroading game. The Class 1 could afford to shell out for the best and newest, but the "little guy" had a lot less financial wherewithal for this and Bush Terminal was no different. 

   For all these decades us New York area Rail Marine Terminal fans have been associating and photographing, we had assumed Bush Terminal converted from steam locomotives directly to the Ingersoll Rand 59 ton locomotives so widely known. This turns out not to be the case.


Plymouth Fate-Root-Heath 50 ton Gasoline Electric Center Cab - Model GE-1  Demonstrator #2001

   Like most, I had simply believed the Ingersoll Rand 59 ton locomotives #1 through 7 were the first locomotives to work at Bush Terminal in replacing the the steam locomotives (exempting the already existing trolley locomotive operations).

   This belief persisted until I finally managed to obtain a searchable .pdf file of the Plymouth builders records; of which a great deal of thanks goes to John Taubeneck for furnishing. Until this time, all I had for Plymouth was a .pdf file of images of mixed typed and handwritten records. Here, the document search did not recognize the handwriting, as it was in cursive! It was time consuming to say the least to go through page by page, and complicating the issue further; some of those pages were either underexposed or overexposed leaving vast quantities of data illegible. This of course led to pertinent information being irretrievable, as we shall see.

   One day, working on research of a completely different locomotive, I now noticed an entry for Bush Terminal - a demonstrator locomotive no less. The builders data reflects this was a 50 ton, centercab, with 2 gasoline - electric LeRoi RXIS developing 254 horsepower combined. It was originally built in June 1929, but did not receive a construction number until being shipped to Bush Terminal for demonstration on April 11, 1930, this number being 3442. But it's road number for the trial was 2001. 

   Well, needless to say, the button was pushed, the stops pulled out, and led to searching the web for an image. For this, I was indeed very fortunate: Don's Depot had an image, there was one for sale on eBay, and several others existed; all however under the operations that followed the Bush Terminal trial period.

   So, it is this locomotive would have the honor of being the first internal-combustion powered locomotive to work for Bush Terminal.

   No photos of it are known to exist of it in either Plymouth demonstrator livery or in Bush Terminal livery while being demonstrated (doubt it would be if was simply a trial period). But several images of it exist after it was sold to roads after the Bush Terminal trials.

  Unfortunately, we do not know if this locomotive still exists, as in the research for this chapter I contacted Daniel Liedtke, curator of the National Railroad Museum located in Green Bay, WI. His return telephone call was prompt; but unfortunately as he related to me, the locomotive was transferred out of the collection back in the 1970's, to an as yet unknown location. He will however do a little digging, check into the museum records to see if he can come up with a name or further disposition. 


image courtesy of Don Ross


image courtesy of Kermit Geary

   After its trial period at Bush Terminal, the locomotive was returned to Plymouth, where it would find the first of its homes at Joplin-Pittsburg RR. As for operations on Bush Terminal, the Ingersoll-Rands mentioned below were ordered and began to be delivered following their construction in September 1931.

   

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General Electric / Ingersoll Rand 59 Ton Diesel Electric Off Center Cabs


1936
note steeplecab electric and trolley on right edge of image.

William J. Rugen photo

courtesy of Queens Public Library Digital Archives

color corrected by author

added 21 May 2019

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General Electric / Ingersoll Rand 59 Ton Diesel Electric Off Center Cabs

   Eventually, like almost every other railroad in the New York City area, Bush Terminal would phase out usage of their steam locomotive fleet in accordance with the final amendment of the Kaufman Act.

   By the end of 1931, a fleet of seven brand new General Electric / Ingersoll Rand 59 ton diesel electric locomotives were purchased (some resources state 55 ton); and thus completely making Bush Terminal an all diesel operation, this year.

   These locomotives were somewhat unique in their design for a switching locomotive, as they were not center cabs nor were they end cabs. The cabs were offset from the short end by one third of the length of the chassis, and approximately two thirds length of the chassis from the other end. And therefore are called "off center cabs".The cab access ladder was almost in the middle of the chassis on the firemans side and on the rear on the engineers side. Both hoods on either side of the cab were of equal height.

   These locomotives are unique and therefore easily recognized by their boxy shape and external exhaust mufflers mounted on top of the long hood.

   The General Electric / Ingersoll Rand 59 tonners would be equipped with duplicate controls and could be operated from either the engineers side or firemans side of the cab. According to Diesel Spotters Guide, by J. Pinkepank; the seven GE / IR 59 ton locomotives purchased by Bush Terminal were the only ones built to this design. The Diesel Spotters Guide also states that "these 60-ton hood-type switchers were the successors to the consortium-design 60-ton boxcab of 1924 using essentially the same machinery" and, "these were the first all welded diesel contruction car body & trucks".

   According to Fred Breimann, some of these Ingersoll Rand locomotives transferred to New York Dock operation at Bush Terminal Yard. It appears that some locomotives in later years would be stored while others would be used. Please refer to New York Dock webpage for this information.

   While these Ingersoll Rands would serve Bush Terminal for four decades and then briefly for New York Dock; all seven would unfortunately be scrapped. While is it depressing to see or know of any locomotive or locomotive class getting scrapped; the scrapping of these seven locomotives was truly a loss, as no other locomotives of this type were built other than these seven. Considering the fact these locomotives were built in 1931 and operated right up until 1974 (a total of 43 years), and to the best of our knowledge served that time frame without rebuilding. This without a doubt, denotes a successful switching locomotive design.

   The original paint scheme as delivered was all black (possibly very dark green) with a large locomotive number on the ends above the grills. The side of the cab was simply marked No. 1 (or No. 2 etc) over the name Bush Terminal.

   On an as yet undetermined date, the locomotive paint scheme would evolve to a dark green body, and made a little more elaborate with the addition of a "dual" (bold over fine) stripe along the body sides. On the short nose of the locomotive, the bold / narrow stripe would form a "V" ending at the platform deck. The long nose however, would have no "V" and was a simple black grill and dark green grill housing with a pale yellow numbers. Some locomotives had a pale yellow grill housing with the number of the locomotive in black above the grill.

   As far as can be ascertained from the photos, some of the locomotives would lose their dual bold / narrow stripe ca. 1969; however #5 would keep her dual stripe until May 1971. Also in 1969, the Bush Terminal logo (rails meeting in the distance within a triangle in a circle) would be applied to the cab sides.

   The General Electric 80 ton center cab locomotives, would carry different schemes from the Ingersoll - Rands.

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General Electric 80 Ton "Center Cab"

   Sometime in the 1950's (actual dates uncertain), Bush Terminal would also purchase a pair of ex-military General Electric 80 ton center-cab switchers. This locomotive was of a popular design and of versatile usage.

   While from an outward appearance the 80 tonners appeared identical, there were minor cosmetic and construction differences between the two.

   Using information which identifies these differences is contained in Jay Reed's compilation "Critters, Dinky & Centercabs" published by Rio Hondo in 2000. Jay Reed has been very cooperative in assisting this author in the identification of several industrial locomotives seen on other pages within this website, and for that we are grateful.

  #88 is a Phase II-A2, while #89 is Phase II-B1. So what does this really mean? #88 had sets of three "buttonhole" vents on each of the engine access doors, while #89 did not. A short wide vented louver in front of the cab steps on Phase II-A2 models (#88) was replaced with a tall thin louver on Phase 2-B1 (#89).

   The 80 tonners also went through at least two different phases of livery:

Phase I Livery
ca. early 1950's (date of locomotive acquistion) to circa 1960

   The paint scheme on the 80 tonners, upon their first arrival and subsequent first years at Bush Terminal; was a black body with a simple No 88 over Bush Terminal on the cab sides and the locomotive number under the headlight. Photographs of #89 in this livery have not yet been seen, so it cannot be confirmed 89 was ever in this livery. The © represents the headlight:

©    ©
88         89
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Phase II Livery
circa 1960 - 1966

   This livery gave way to three yellow stripes (of equal width) that curved down and merged at the body ends (similar to the Pennsylvania GG1 "5 stripe" or "cats whiskers" scheme, but the Bush Terminal three stripe did not curve around to the front of hoods). The entire body was painted a dark green.

  At this time, the round Bush Terminal herald was applied on the cab sides under the windows, (thereby covering the original location of the number). These two locomotives (#88 or #89) would only carry their numbers on their nose directly on either side of the headlight, with "No" on the left and the numeral to the right (whereas the © represents the headlight): i.e.:

No © 88       No © 89;

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  With the engine number only appearing on the ends, this would undoubtedly make identification difficult. Fortunately, we can tell the two locomotives apart from the button hole vents or lack thereof on the engine doors.

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Phase III Livery
1967 - 1971

   The "3 stripe" scheme would give way to simple all dark green body prior to 1963, (the precise date not known). The Bush Terminal herald remained on the cab sides. The locomotive number on the nose would be relocated to the left of the headlight at this time with the No being removed and whereas again the © represents the headlight:

88 ©       89 ©

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   In 1970, the engine number would be placed under the herald as well. This was placed between the air brake equipment compartment doors. The doors were left open, to enhance cool air circulation, but when rthis was done, the engine number was covered!

   The General Electric 80 ton center cabs went on to work for the New York Dock when that company took over the Bush Terminal property in 1972, and would continue their service until 1983.

   Rumor had it one of the two 80 ton center cabs was purchased and relocated to a tourist railroad, however Fred Breimann states both engines were scrapped at the south end of the yard.


Bush Terminal enginehouse on 43rd Street - May 1969
From left to right: Locomotives #89, #4 and #2. At the current time, this is the only photo in my collection that shows #4!
S. Goldstein photo
authors collection


#1


ca. 1935
unknown photgrapher
authors collection

added 16 Oct 2008

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#88 and #1 - First Avenue & 50th Street - unknown date
(note the short lived "3 stripe" paint scheme on #88)
G. Landau photo
authors collection

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unknown date - indeterminate location 
Believed to be pulling cars out of a siding located in any one of the various service alleys along First Avenue.
unknown photograher

added 14 January 2009

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#1 - unknown date - Bush Terminal enginehouse
(note boarded up window and #88 or 89 behind)
G. Landau photo
authors collection 

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#2


1931 - Builders Photo
Diesel Spotters Guide - J. Pinkepank
Kalmbach Publishing

added 17 Nov 2009

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1931 - Builders Photo?
SMU E. L. DeGolyer Library archives
author's collection

added 15 February 2010

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#2 & #3 - October 1963 - i/f/o Bush Terminal enginehouse
G. Landau photo
authors collection 

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#2 and SBK  #13 - September 28, 1965 - Second Avenue & 38th Street
About to interchange a string of subway cars with South Brooklyn Railway..
Note the police "escort".
G. Landau photo
authors collection

added 16 Jan 2009

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#2 - unknown date - 50th Street and First Avenue
(floatbridge lead on left, note track leading to alleyway behind white panel van)
G. Landau photo
authors collection 

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#2 - unknown date - Bush Terminal track 1 
(note track in foreground leading to First Avenue alleyway)
G. Landau photo
authors collection 

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#2 - May 1969
(note: no stripe)
S. Goldstein photo
authors collection

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#2 - August 27, 1969

F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 14 Nov 2008

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#2 - February 23, 1970
Engineer is Tommy Donovan.

H. Pinsker photo
authors collection

added 27 March 2011

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#2 - February 24, 1970

F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 14 Nov 2008

.

.


#2 -  February 24, 1970

F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 14 Nov 2008

.

.


#2 - July 13, 1970
unknown photographer (G. Landau?)
authors collection

added 28 April 2012

.

.


#2 - May 7, 1970

F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 14 Nov 2008

.

.


#2 - unknown date

F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 14 Nov 2008

.

.

#3


#3 - ca. 1935
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 08 February 2011

.

.


#3 - unknown date
unknown photographer
SMU - DeGolyer archives
authors collection

.

.

#4


#4 - June 1969
Brakeman/conductor on front is believed to be Jim Toohey.
Brakeman in window is believed to be ... Cabelo.
H. Pinsker photo
authors collection

added 26 March 2011

.

.

#5


#5 - 1936
William J. Rugen photo
Queens Public Library Digital Archives
color corrected by author
reuploaded 21 May 2019
.

.


#5 - unknown date
unknown photographer

added 13 Feb 2009

.

.


#5 - unknown date
unknown photographer

added 14 January 2009

.

.


#5 - unknown date - Bush Terminal Yard (southwest corner)
(note Naval Armory building extreme left)
G. Landau photo
authors collection 

.

.


#5 - unknown date - Davidson Pipe Yard
G. Landau photo
authors collection 

.

.


#5 - September 1961 - Second Avenue & 34st Street
G. Landau photo
authors collection 

.

.


#5 - January 1962
Note the crew giving hand signals to the engineer.
M. Herson photo
authors collection

added 18 March 2011

.

.


#5 & #7 - September 1965 - Bush Terminal Yard
G. Landau photo
authors collection 

.

.


#5 - September 1968 - First Avenue & 50th Street
Lead into yard
S. Goldstein photo
authors collection

.

.


#5 - September 1968
S. Goldstein photo
authors collection

.

.


#5 - September 1968
S. Goldstein photo
authors collection

.

.


#5 - September 1968
S. Goldstein photo
authors collection

.

.


#5 - May 7, 1970

F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 14 Nov 2008

.

.


#5 - December 1970
B. Wilt photo
authors collection

added 04 January 2010

.

.


#5 and #2 - May 7, 1970

F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 14 Nov 2008

.

.


#5 - May 1971
(note 80 tonner in left background)
unknown photographer

added 13 Nov 2008

.

.


#5 - September 16, 1971
G. Landau photo
authors collection

added 23 Nov 2008

.

.


#5  and #89 - September 16, 1971
G. Landau photo
J. Testagrose collection

added 23 Nov 2008

.

.


September 21, 1971 - w/ 89(?) in background
G. Povall archives
authors collection

added 10 August 2011

.


.

#6


#6 - unknown date - unknown location
unknown photographer
SMU - DeGolyer archives

authors collection
(Paul Strubeck believes this to be General Electric plant yard
- author believes it to be early Bush Terminal Yard)

.

.


#6 - unknown date
J. M. Holst photo
authors collection

added 28 Dec 2008

.

.


#6 - unknown date - First Avenue
unknown photographer (H. Fagerberg?)

(from Railroads of New York, by G. W. O'Conner
Simmons - Boardman Publishing)

added 23 May 2009


#6 - unknown date - Second Avenue
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 31 October 2016

.

.


#6 - November 1956
S. Bramson photo
authors collection
added 30 March 2011

.

.


#6 - January 1962
M. Herson photo
M. Herson archives

added 16 Apr 2009

.

.


#6 - January 1962
M. Herson photo
M. Herson archives

added 16 Apr 2009

.

.


#6 - unknown date
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 21 Dec 2008

.

.


#6 & #7 - unknown date - Bush Terminal Yard
(enginehouse lead in foreground)
G. Landau photo
authors collection 

.

.


#7


#7 - unknown date - Bush Terminal Yard
(looking northwest)
G. Landau photo
authors collection 

.

.


#7 - unknown date - First Avenue & 44rd Street
G. Landau photo
authors collection 

.

.


#7 - unknown date - First Avenue & 44rd Street
G. Landau photo
authors collection 

.

.


#7 - unknown date (pre 7/22/1966) - Bush Terminal Yard
G. Landau photo
authors collection 

.

.


#7 - July 22,/1966 - Bush Terminal Yard
 unknown photographer
Bob's Photo archives
authors collection

added 07 March 2012

.

.


#7 - unknown date - inside enginehouse
Note no stripes on locomotive.
G. Landau photo
authors collection 

.

.


#7 - Bush Terminal Yard - April 1969
unknown photographer

.

.


#7 - Bush Terminal Yard - unknown date
F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 16 Jan 2009

.

.


May 7, 1970

F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 14 Nov 2008

.

.


#7 - May 7, 1970

F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 14 Nov 2008

.

.


#7 - April 27, 1974
Note date and #2 on right edge. This is after Bush Terminal was taken over by New York Dock.
According to Fred Breimann, NYD used two or three of the IR locos for a little while after take over.
F. Szachacz photo
authors collection

added 03 February 2010

.

.

#88


#88 - unknown date
J. M. Holst photo
authors collection

added 28 Dec 2008

.

.


unknown date - circa 1955
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 30 January 2010

.

.


#88 & 1 - unknown date - Bush Terminal Yard
Note three stripe paint scheme on #88.
G. Landau photo
authors collection 

.

.


#88 - August 1, 1956
H. Fagerberg photo
authors collection

added 16 Jan 2009

.

.


#88 - November 1956
S. Bramson photo
authors collection

added 30 March 2011

.

.


#88 - unknown date (post 1960 / pre-1966) - Bush Terminal Yard
three hood stripes removed
G. Landau photo

authors collection 

.

.


#88 -
unknown date (pre-1966) - Bush Terminal enginehouse
unknown photographer
J. Roborecky archives

added 25 October 2008

.


#88 w/ #101 idler car - September 27, 1965 - Bush Terminal Yard
G. Landau photo
authors collection

added 23 Nov 2008

.


#88 w/ #101 idler car - September 27, 1965 - Bush Terminal Yard
G. Landau photo
J. Testagrose collection 

.

.
#88 - July 22, 1966 - Bush Terminal Yard
G. Landau photo
authors collection

added 23 Nov 2008

.


#88 - July 22, 1966 - Bush Terminal Yard
unknown photographer
Bob's photo archives
authors collection

added 07 March 2012

.


#88 - July 22, 1966 - Bush Terminal Yard
unknown photographer
Bob's photo archives
authors collection

added 07 March 2012

.


#88 - unknown date  (post 1966) - "Bush 2" Float Bridge
G. Collora photo
G. Collora archives
authors collection

added 09 March 2010

.

.


#88 w/ idler car #101 - September 1968 - 50th Street float bridge lead
S. Goldstein photo
authors collection

.

.


#88 - September 1968 - First Avenue
S. Goldstein photo
authors collection

.

.


#88 w/ #101 idler car - August 27, 1969

F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 14 Nov 2008

.

.


#88 w/ #101 idler car - August 27, 1969

F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 14 Nov 2008

.

.


#88 - May 7, 1970

F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 14 Nov 2008

.

.


#88 - May 7, 1970
F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 15 Nov 2008

.

.


#88 w/ #101 idler car - May 7, 1970
F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 15 Nov 2008

.

.


#88 w/ #101 idler car - May 7, 1970
F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 15 Nov 2008

.

.


#88 w/  "Irving T. Bush" - July 12, 1971 - Bush 2 float bridge, Brooklyn, NY
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 15 October 2012

.

.
#89


#89 - July 22, 1966
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 14 Nov 2008

.

.


#89 with #101- July 22, 1966
unknown photographer
Bob's photo archives
authors collection

added 07 March 2012

.

.


#89 - February 24, 1970
F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 15 Nov 2008

.

.


#89 - February 24, 1970

F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 14 Nov 2008

.

.


#89 & #5 - September 8, 1971
T. Trencansky photo
authors collection

added 28 April 2012

.

.


#89 - September 16, 1971
G. Landau photo
authors collection

added 23 Nov 2008

.

.


#89 & #5 - September 21, 1971
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 28 April 2012

.

.


#89 - July 6, 1972
If the date on this slide is correct, then New York Dock has not changed liveries on the locomotive as of this date.
D. Nelson photo
M. Owen collection
authors collection

added 14 October 2012

.

.


#89 - unknown date
F. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 14 Nov 2008

.

.

.


.

Locomotive Overview - top of page

Railroad Equipment Photo Index:

Passenger Equipment


Steam Locomotives


Electric Locomotives

Gas & Diesel - Electric
Locomotives

Non-Revenue Equipment
No # 0-4-4Trolley #1 [1st]1245
910Plymouth Demonstrator GE-1 #2001

Reacher / Idler
#100

Reacher / Idler
#101
Trolley #1 [2nd]

Trolley #1 [3rd]

11

12

14

20

22 23

1

2

3

4

5

Rail Crane
Ohio Locomotive





6

7 88

89

Locomotive Roster

Marine Equipment Overview 

Lighter photosTugboat photos

Carfloat photos

Marine Equipment Roster

Back to Bush Terminal Main Page




A Freight Terminal with Passenger Service

   One unique difference concerning Bush Terminal, is that it also incorporated passenger service into their operations.

   As I am primarily interested in industrial / terminal freight operations, I normally do not concern myself with the local history of streetcar / passenger operations, but the following information is directly related to the history of this company, is of railroad interest and worth mentioning.

   As the Bush Terminal Company's facilities were of such large proportions, the Bush Terminal Railroad organized it's own passenger line. At first, the passenger line was serviced by two 0-4-4 steam locomotives purchased used from the New York Elevated RR. It is unknown at this time how many passenger coaches Bush Terminal utilized, but here is a picture of at least one.


unnumbered 0-4-4T


unknown date - unknown location
unknown photographer
Brooklyn Public Library archives

.

.
   According to the reverse of this postcard, this is a Bush Terminal passenger car as well. Unfortunately, no markings are discernible. According to Steve Meyers however; the car in the postcard image is car #142 of the Manhattan Railway (IRT elevated division). This car would be later renumbered 1219. It was built in 1902 by American Car Foundry as a sample (demonstrator?) open trailer. After some minor modifications a small fleet was ordered. It would originally be used on steam trains, but would end up in service on the Third Avenue elevated line.

.
J. M. Barnes Southridge, Mass - No date
EKC Real Photo Post Card

.

.

  Returning to Bush Terminal, their passenger service would in turn become a trolley line, of which Bush Terminal owned and operated its own trolleys. All were apparently numbered #1.

   To date, I have been able to determine that there were three trolleys numbered 1. The first one was apparently built new by J. G. Brill for Bush Terminal. The second #1 was built by St. Louis Car Co. and the third unit, however, there is conflicting information on builder and previous owner. I have listed both sets of information under the photo. Anyone who has further information, is invited to contact me. The second and third units were purchased used.

   Bush Terminal operated the trolley on the half hour from Second Avenue and 28th Street to First Avenue and 63rd Street with stops at 28th, 36th, 48th, 53rd and 63rd Streets. The fare was 2 cents, and according to the Public Service Commission Summary of Annual Reports, First District, the total amount of fare received for 1919 was $113.60 (5680 fares). Eventually, this passenger service would be discontinued in 1934.

.



Bush Terminal #1 (first)


Bush Terminal RR - #1 (first) - unknown date
J. G. Brill builders photo
Bill Volkmer collection
"Daves Electric Railroads" archives

.

.




Bush Terminal #1 (second)

  • built 1919 by  St. Louis Car Co. c/n 1188 as SLCC demonstrator, no #
  • body type 'F'
  • sold to Danbury & Bethel Power & Transportation Street Railway #44, ca. 1919
  • sold to Bush Terminal in 1927, retired 1933


Bush Terminal RR #1 (second) - unknown date

.

.




Bush Terminal #1 (third)

According to information provided by Lou Guadagni, who was courteous enough to contact me about this photo;
informs me that his negative is an original George Votava image (to the Don Ross image below), 
and the writing on the envelope is from George Votava which states:

  • built by J. G. Brill
  • 30 passenger cap'y
  • sold to Brooklyn Queens Transit #7203
  • sold to Bush Terminal, unknown date
  • photo below is June 15, 1934
  • taken at First Avenue & 34th Street

.

According to "The Birney Car" by Harold E. Cox:

  • built  March 1919 by  Cincinatti Car Co. c/n 2395
  • renumbered South Brooklyn Rwy #7203 in 1919
  • sold to Bush Terminal in 1933


Bush Terminal Railroad #1 (third) -  June 15, 1934
G. Votava photo
Don Ross collection
L. Guadagni archives (negative)




December 2, 1934
unknown photographer
authors collection

The reverse of this print has the following writing in fountain pen:

Bush Terminal R.R.
#1 (new)
Dec,2,1934
Cincinnati Car Co.
Ex: Brooklyn,Queens
County & Suburban Ry. #7203 of
which their were 10 <7200-7209>
B.T.R.R. is the worlds largest terminal railroad


(As the previous photo shown here (which is identical to the image above) was a scan from "The Birney Car" by Harold E. Cox and
as I have now secured an actual vintage print of the trolley and apparently the one used in the book, the image has been replaced.

added 31 October 2016

Locomotive Overview - top of page

Railroad Equipment Photo Index:

Passenger Equipment


Steam Locomotives


Electric Locomotives

Gas & Diesel - Electric
Locomotives

Non-Revenue Equipment
No # 0-4-4Trolley #1 [1st]1245
910Plymouth Demonstrator GE-1 #2001

Reacher / Idler
#100

Reacher / Idler
#101
Trolley #1 [2nd]

Trolley #1 [3rd]

11

12

14

20

22 23

1

2

3

4

5

Rail Crane
Ohio Locomotive





6

7 88

89

Locomotive Roster

Marine Equipment Overview 

Lighter photosTugboat photos

Carfloat photos

Marine Equipment Roster

Back to Bush Terminal Main Page



Bush Terminal Railroad Locomotive Roster

note: all Bush Terminal equipment known to be standard gauge.

number
/  name
builderc/nbuild
date
wheel
arrangement
wheel 
dia
cylindersacquireddispositionnotesref
???- - Tused
[d] ex-Erie RR

Baldwin448511/18780-4-4T38"10" x 14"used 6/1902
ex-NY Elevated RR
ex-Manhattan Rwy #77
sold
[2]
Rhode Island7421/18790-4-4T38"10" x 14"used 3/1903
ex-NY Elevated RR
ex-Manhattan Rwy #88
sold 7/20/07
to Whitewater Lumber Co. 
Antaugaville, AL;
sold 3/23/1910
to Solvay Process
Syracuse, NY
[9]
[33]
#2Baldwin193528/19010-4-0T44"18" x 24"new[2]
#3Baldwin209039/19020-4-0T44"18" x 24"new
[2]
#4Baldwin226388/19030-4-0T44"18" x 24"newout of service
10/1931
[2]
#5Baldwin235201/19040-4-0T44"18" x 24"new[2]
#6Baldwin235531/19040-4-0T44"18" x 24"new
#8GE18371904B-Bnew - acquired 3/11/1905
to BTRR #21
50 ton, steeplecab [b]
LS404-E-100
500v
0440-E-100-GE55
52:21 gearing

originally ordered by Dayton, Lebanon & Cincinnatti; Cincinnati, OH -
not delivered, resold to Bush Terminal 3/1905
[19]
#9ALCo / GE50094
3464
3/1905
6/1911 (body)
7/1911 (chassis)
B-B36"
33"?
newsold 1941 to
Hudson Bay Mining
& Smelting #92

Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
50 ton steeple cab electric [b]
LS404-E-80
640hp 500v
404-E-80-4GE55A
(A-50094)

seen in November 1920 GE catalogue
renumbered #20?
[1]
[25]
#10ALCo / GE42612
2549
4/1907 (body)
5/1907 (chassis)
B-B36"newsold 3/1941 (1935[25]) to
Hudson Bay Mining
& Smelting #91,
Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
scrapped 1956
ALCo order #S-439
LS404-E-80
640hp 500v
404-E-80-4GE55
(A-41613)
40 ton steeple cab electric
[b]
renumbered #22
[1]
[19]

[25]
#11Baldwin344584/19100-4-044"18" x 24"new[2]
#12ALCo552017/19150-4-0T[1]
#14Baldwin4446211/19160-4-0T44"18" x 24"[2]
#20ALCo / GE50094
3464
7/1911B-B36"
33"?
originally BTRR #950 ton steeple cab electric [b]
seen in November 1920 GE catalogue
#21ALCo / GE18373/11/1905B-B33"originally BTRR #850 ton steeple cab electric [b]
#22ALCo / GE42612
2549
5/1907B-B36"originally BTRR #1040 ton steeple cab electric [b]
#23GE490312/5/1914B-Bdemo
8/14/1916
sold 6/1939 to
Utilities Equipment (dealer)
sold 7/1939 to Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern #190, in service 3/11/1940;
damaged in roundhouse fire 10/1954; motors to BW #187
sold 9/6/1956 to B. Schultz Scrap Metal
60 (65?[25]) ton steeple cab electric
displayed at Panama-Pacific International Exposition: GE #4903;
purchased 8/14/1916 by BTRR;
640hp 600v/1200v 12/1914 404-E-120-4GE205
[19]
[24]
[25]
[55]
#2001Plymouth3442 6/1929 B-Bbuilt 6/1929 but not assigned a c/n until shipped on 4/11/1930 as demo returned to Plymouth
sold: Joplin-Pittsburg RR #2001, Cherokee, KS- 1/12/1934
sold: Cassville & Exeter #2001, Exeter, MO - 11/1953
sold Kansas City Public Service #2001, KC, MO - 1956
to: National RR Museum #2001, Green Bay, WI - 4/1961
transferred out of museum collection ca. 1970's,
disposition unknown and presumably scrapped.
Plymouth model: GE-1
gas electric center cab
weight: 50 ton
LeRoi RXIS (x2)
254hp

[6]
#1GE / IR114839/29/1931B-Bnewretired July 1964,
sold October 1966 as scrap to
F. C. Barschow & Sons,
Brooklyn, NY
55 ton, 300 h.p., H3-1 body type
IR-300
110/110-4HM838A
[19]
[20]
[55]
#2GE / IR114849/29/1931B-Bnewin service a/o December 1970,
scrapped after April 1974
55 ton, 300 h.p., H3-1 body type
IR-300
110/110-4HM838A
[19]
[20]
[55]
#3GE / IR114859/29/1931B-Bnewretired March 1967,
sold May 1967 as scrap
to Sarnelli Bros, Brooklyn, NY
55 ton, 300 h.p., H3-1 body type
IR-300
110/110-4HM838A
[19]
[20]
[55]
#4GE / IR1148610/1931B-Bnewstored intact as of December 1970,
scrapped unknown date
55 ton, 300 h.p., H3-1 body type
IR-300
110/110-4HM838A
[19]
[20]
[55]
#5GE / IR1148710/1931B-Bnewin service as of December 1970,
scrapped unknown date
55 ton, 300 h.p., H3-1 body type
IR-300
110/110-4HM838A
[19]
[20]
[55]
#6GE / IR1148810/1931B-Bnewretired March 1967,
sold May 1967 as scrap
to Sarnelli Bros, Brooklyn, NY
55 ton, 300 h.p., H3-1 body type
IR-300
110/110-4HM838A
[19]
[20]
[55]
#7GE / IR1148910/1931B-Bnewin service December 1970,
scrapped after April 1974
55 ton, 300 h.p., H3-1 body type
IR-300
110/110-4HM838A
[19]
[20]
[55]
#88GE180148/3/1943B-B38"<1947 [c]
USA #7864
Brooklyn Army
Terminal
to New York Dock in 197280 ton center cab, Phase II A2 body [a]
Cummins LI engine (x2) 250 h.p. each
160/160-4HM833
[19]
[55]
#89GE282419/1945B-B38"1950's
USMC #?,
QM Depot,
Camp Lejeune,
Jacksonville, NC
to New York Dock in 197280 ton center cab, Phase II B1 body [a]
Cummins LI engine (x2) 250 h.p. each
160/160-4HM833
[19]
[55]

Locomotive Footnotes:
[a] please refer to "Critters, Dinkys & Centercabs by Jay Reed; for detailed differences between Phase II A2 and Phase II B1 bodies
[b] . #8 became #21
#9 became #20 (with a few modifications since it was built),
#10 became #22 and
#23 stayed as is.
Some of this info from "Interurban Electric Locomotives by General Electric" by James A. Strapac.
[c] Originally believed to have been acquired in the 1950's. However, in the Life Magazine series of photos on the Return of War Dead, 1947; #88 is placing US Army passenger cars from Bush Terminal carfloats in the Brooklyn Army Terminal.
[d] "When the warehouse walls that I had started began to rise, I purchased for twelve hundred dollars a second-hand switch engine from the Erie Railroad. Those were not years of prosperity for the Erie, and any locomotive which the Erie was ready to discard had seen its best days. It was short and fat and squat, with its water tank like a camel's hump on its back. It was not a big engine, even as locomotives went in those days, and probably the reason the Erie parted with it was that it had ceased to be powerful enough for railroad work. It did valiant service for us over a number of years, and when we grew prosperous enough to afford heavy locomotives fresh from the shop, we sold the old Erie engine for three hundred dollars more than I paid for it, so I have no complaint of that transaction. While it worked for us, it was respendent with our name in gold letters emblazoned upon its water tank, and as it puffed about our little railroad yard, my heart swelled with pride."
"Working with the World", by Irving T. Bush; p21-22. (Doubleday Doran), 1928.
[e]
motors:55A
gear ratio:52:21
[f]
motors:55A
gear ratio:52:21




Non-Revenue Equipment Overview

.

   While rail-marine terminal fans and previous historians of Bush Terminal knew of, documented and photographed the #101 Reacher Car, it was to this authors astonishment to learn the existence of a #100 Reacher Car.

#100 Idler / Reach Car - 50' (+/-) wood sided gondola - unknown origin
   It appears this reacher car was converted from a 50' wood sided gondola. Wood boards making up the sides are affixed to steel uprights which are riveted
   directed to the body of the car. These boards did not extend completely to the ends of the car however, with openings above where the standard end ladders
   are, but handrails made of pipe are affixed to the ends of the car. Furthermore, it appears (but cannot be confirmed) that concrete was poured on top of the
   deck making the deck appear quite thick.

   Why so few photos (only one known to date) of Reacher Car #100 is not known. This image that exists is dated July 1956, so it is not before the "modern"
   realm of railfans and photography, especially considering so many photos of other equipment and taken during this era exist.

   Furthermore, it is not known why this car was taken out of service, whether #100 and #101 saw service at the same time, or whether #101 replaced #100. Unfortunately, our retired Bush Terminal employee in residence, Fred Breimann; does not recall the #100 and cannot provide any insight to its existence.

.

#101 Idler / Reach Car - 40' steel gondola - unknown origin:
   This car was originally a high side gondola car, but it is unknown from where it originally came from. This car had been modified with end ladders and
   open accessways at the ends; as well as being ballasted with rails and concrete as extra weight.
 

   Careful examination reveals that this car was an outside brace high side gondola. Several statements have been made in railfan forums that this was an
   outside brace boxcar, but this has not been substantiated.

   Furthermore, Fred Breimann (retired BT & NYD engineer) confirms this car had been modified from a high side outside brace gondola and not a
   boxcar. Joe Roborecky, using a little basic geometry; noticed that if one continued an imaginary line up from the diagonal brace to a point on an
   imaginary line that intersects with the vertical brace, the intersecting point would not be high enough to represent a truss as encountered on an outside
   brace boxcar which extended up to the roof line. Also, take note of the "fish belly" sill which runs almost the full length of the car. This long sill was
   common on gondolas but not on boxcars which generally only appeared to have sills directly under the doors.

   Lettering seen on the the car itself, reflect inside length as 40' 1". Also, the the lettering shows: "CHGO 12-57". It is left to ponder if this means the
   car was modified or built to it's reacher configuration in December 1957.

   This car would go on to see service with New York Dock, after that firm took over Bush Terminal.

.

no numbers - Ohio Locomotive Cranes
   A crane is identifed in the Caterpillar advertisement in the memorabilia chapter of this page. It is also seen in both a light color (silver? gray?) with the Bush
   Terminal herald, and it is seen in a dark color (believed to be black) with no identifying marks. But, examination shows this to be the same crane regardless of
   livery.

   In January 2012, John Taubeneck submitted the following information for two cranes purchased by Bush Terminal:
   Ohio Locomotive Crane c/n 2020, Model C, 15 ton capacity, 8 wheels, steam powered, 45' boom, built August 6, 1916. 
   Ohio Locomotive Crane c/n 4566, Model F, 30 ton capacity, 8 wheels, diesel powered, 50-55' boom, built December 16, 1957. This is the crane seen in most images.

 



Reacher / Idler #100


Reacher / Idler Car #100 - July 1956
S. Bramson photo
authors collection

added 30 March 2011

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Reacher / Idler #101


Reacher / Idler Car #101 - ca. 1958
S. Meyers photo
D. Keller archives
authors collection

added 19 Sept 2009

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Reacher / Idler Car #101 - ca. 1958
S. Meyers photo
D. Keller archives
authors collection

added 28 January  2009

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Reacher / Idler Car #101 - February 1959
S. Bramson photo
authors collection

added 30 March 2011

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Reacher / Idler Car #101 - undated (ca. 1970)
(zoom & crop of #88 photo above)
F. G. Zahn photo
authors collection


Ohio Locomotive
Rail Crane


Ohio Locomotive Rail Crane - July 22, 1966 - 43rd Street
unknown photographer
Bob's Photo archives
authors collection

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Ohio Locomotive Rail Crane - July 13, 1970 - 43rd Street - with #5 behind
unknown photographer
G. Povall archives
authors collection

added 10 August 2011

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Locomotive Overview - top of page

Railroad Equipment Photo Index:

Passenger Equipment


Steam Locomotives


Electric Locomotives

Gas & Diesel - Electric
Locomotives

Non-Revenue Equipment
No # 0-4-4Trolley #1 [1st]1245
910Plymouth Demonstrator GE-1 #2001

Reacher / Idler
#100

Reacher / Idler
#101
Trolley #1 [2nd]

Trolley #1 [3rd]

11

12

14

20

22 23

1

2

3

4

5

Rail Crane
Ohio Locomotive





6

7 88

89

Locomotive Roster

Marine Equipment Overview 

Lighter photosTugboat photos

Carfloat photos

Marine Equipment Roster

Back to Bush Terminal Main Page


Bush Terminal Non-Revenue Equipment Roster

number
/  name
builder c/n build
date
gauge wheel
arrangement
wheel 
dia
acquired
disposition
notes ref
#100
float reacher / idler car
std. B-B used appears to have converted from
steel stake flat car or wood side gondola
#101
float reacher / idler car
std. B-B used scrapped ca. 1998 converted from outside brace
high side gondola
rail crane Ohio Loco
Crane
2020 8/8/1916 std. B-B new scrapped shortly after
arrival of below
Model C
steam powered
45' boom
15 ton capacity
[56]
rail crane Ohio Loco
Crane
4566 12/16/1947 std. B-B new unknown Model F
diesel /electric powered
50' boom w/ 5' extension?
30 ton capacity

Caterpillar D13000
[56]

Locomotive Footnotes:
[a] please refer to "Critters, Dinkys & Centercabs by Jay Reed; for detailed differences between Phase II A2 and Phase II B1 bodies
[b] . #9 became #20 (with a few modifications since it was built), #10 became #22 and #23 stayed as is.
Some of this in the companion book to the above, "Interurban Electric Locomotives by General Electric" by James A. Strapac.
[c] Originally believed to have been acquired in the 1950's. However, in the Life Magazine series of photos on the Return of  War Dead, 1947; #88 is placing US Army passenger cars from Bush Terminal carfloats in the Brooklyn Army Terminal.
[d] "When the warehouse walls that I had started began to rise, I purchased for twelve hundred dollars a second-hand switch engine from the Erie Railroad. Those were not years of prosperity for the Erie, and any locomotive which the Erie was ready to discard had seen its best days. It was short and fat and squat, with its water tank like a camel's hump on its back. It was not a big engine, even as locomotives went in those days, and probably the reason the Erie parted with it was that it had ceased to be powerful enough for railroad work. It did valiant service for us over a number of years, and when we grew prosperous enough to afford heavy locomotives fresh from the shop, we sold the old Erie engine for three hundred dollars more than I paid for it, so I have no complaint of that transaction. While it worked for us, it was respendent with our name in gold letters emblazoned upon its water tank, and as it puffed about our little railroad yard, my heart swelled with pride.
"Working with the World", by Irving T. Bush; p21-22. (Doubleday Doran), 1928.

RETURN TO INDEX

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Marine Equipment Overview

   The following image is a Fairchild Aerial Survey Photo taken June 23, 1930. Trust me when I say, the image below is a thumbnail. Please click on the photo to open the full size version. Be patient, this photo is huge (and I already cropped it to "zoom in" on the important details!)

   In this photo, you can see two Bush Terminal steam tugboats (most likely the Beatrice and Eleanor) and a plethora of carfloats, lighters, stick lighters, scows as well as sea going freighters unloading at the piers. The resolution on this photo is remarkable, and you can make out the Bush Terminal signboards on the sides of the carfloats as well as the railroad names of some the lighters.

   You will also note that the northern floatbridge "Bush 2" is out of service this date, with "Bush 1" in service. It is believed to be that it is being redecked in the photo.

   Click on the photo to view a very detailed close up. Please be advised the photo is huge, and takes a few moments to open completely. (There is a link under the enlargement to return you here)


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.

   It is believed that Bush Terminal only had four tugboats over it's long history to service it's carfloat fleet, the steam powered Beatrice Bush and Eleanor Bush which were sister ships, the first Irving T. Bush (believed to be steam powered but unknown) and the second Irving T. Bush which was diesel powered.

   However, recent research has turned up a few more names listed to or at Bush: Valiant, Turtle, Rosebud, and John G. Worth. These names do not appear in the Johnson Marine Manual of 1920. These names were found in the Nautical Gazette: 1900-1911; on the website of Tugboat Enthusiasts Society. Whether these vessels are actually owned / operated by Bush Terminal or just moored there, remains to be revealed.

   At this time, is it unknown how many carfloats Bush Terminal owned, what type or configuration they were, or when they were in service. Carfloats with numbers as high as 44 have been recorded on film.We do know however, from the picture at the beginning of this chapter that Bush Terminal had its own barge mounted steam powered pile driver for the construction of its piers.

   We also now know from the Fairchild Aerial Survey Photo, there were both wood and steel carfloats in service, and all appear to be three track interchange type.

    Now, the following photo is one of the best I have come across depicting Brooklyn's rail-marine carfloating operations at it's finest, and I do not say that merely because my father took this picture.

   From foreground to background: Bush Terminal RR locomotive #88, Bush Terminal RR idler car #101, Bush Terminal RR carfloat #4 (moored to "Bush 2" float bridge on right), Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal carfloat #26, Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal tug "Integrity", Bush Terminal RR tug "Irving T. Bush" (background).


#88 at Bush Terminal 50th Street float bridge: "Bush 1" - September 1968 - Brooklyn, NY
BEDT "Intrepid" with BEDT Station Carfloat #26.
S. Goldstein photo
authors collection

   For those of you who noticed; yes, that is a submarine on the left.
It is the USS Ling AGSS-297. (Auxiliary Submarine).
Here is the Wikipedia link: USS Ling
(you will need to click your back arrow to return you this page)

RETURN TO INDEX

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unpowered Lighters & Steam Lighters


"Lighter #11" (unpowered) with unknown tug - unknown date (ca. 1910-1920?)
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 09 September 2010

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Bush Terminal Steam Powered Lighter "Turtle" ca. 1910
Note the four funneled steam ship off the bow in the background. If my research does me right, that is a German passenger liner.
There were only fifteen four funnel liners built, and only the five built by Germany had that two groups of two funnels with a wider space in the middle.
The Hamburg Amerika had one ship: "SS Deutschland", and the North German Lloyd Line had four ships:
"SS Kaiser Wilhelm II", "SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse", "SS Kronprinz Wilhelm" and "Kronprinzessin Cecilie".
A. Moore photo
authors collection

added 03 December 2016

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Tugboats

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stack of steam powered "Beatrice Bush" - unknown date
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 11 June 2010

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stack of diesel powered "Irving T. Bush" - unknown date
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 04 January 2010

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"Beatrice Bush" - unknown date
L. W. Hine photo
New York Public Library archives

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"Beatrice Bush" - unknown date
A. Moore photo
authors collection

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Authors note:

Both pictures of the Beatrice Bush above, show "side bumpers" made of rope, not of tires.
It is authors belief these two pictures were taken prior to the widespread use of pneumatic tires (ca. 1930's).  
The photographs of the Beatrice Bush below, show bumpers of used pneumatic tires.


"Beatrice Bush" with Carfloat #45 - ca. 1950's
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 04 January 2010

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"Beatrice Bush" - ca. 1950's
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 04 January 2010

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"Beatrice Bush" - ca. 1955
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 09 September 2010

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"Beatrice Bush" - ca. 1955
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 02 November 2009

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"Beatrice Bush" - ca. 1955
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 03 March 2010

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"Beatrice Bush" - ca. 1955
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 28 March 2010

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"Beatrice Bush" with Carfloat #42 in background  - ca. 1955
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 14 February 2010

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"Beatrice Bush" - ca. 1955
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 04 January 2010

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"Beatrice Bush" with Carfloat #40 at Bush 1 Bridge (left) and Carfloat 43 at Bush 2 Bridge (right) - ca. 1955
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 04 January 2010

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"Beatrice Bush" - March 1958
C. Milster photo
authors collection

added 27 May 2009

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"Eleanor Bush" - ca. 1910
A. Moore photo
authors collection

added 13 August 2016


"Eleanor Bush" - ca. 1910
A. Moore photo
authors collection

added 03 December 2016

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"Eleanor Bush" with Bush Terminal carfloats #44 and #40 - unknown date
unknown photographer
Life Magazine archives

added 11 Apr 09

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"Eleanor Bush" carfloats #44 and #40 - unknown date
unknown photographer
Life Magazine archives

added 11 Apr 09

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"Eleanor Bush" - unknown date - North (Hudson) River, NY
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 14 February 2010

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"Eleanor Bush" - unknown date - North (Hudson) River, NY
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 22 February 2010

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"Eleanor Bush" (center tug) - unknown date - Staten Island, NY
Sadly, here is what in all likelihood is the one of the two last photos of Eleanor.
Abandoned at what is believed to be Witte Brothers Marine Salvage Yard.
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 04 January 2010

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"Eleanor Bush" (center tug) - unknown date - Staten Island, NY
Sadly, here is what in all likelihood is the the second of the two last photos of Eleanor.
Abandoned at what is believed to be Witte Brothers Marine Salvage Yard.
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 04 January 2010

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"Irving T. Bush" with BTRR Carfloat #44 and another "40 series" BTRR carfloat - S
eptember 1964
G. Hoeller photo
G. Elwood collection

added 04 Oct 2009

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"Irving T Bush" - September 1968 - 50th Street float bridges: "Bush 1" on left, "Bush 2" on right
S. Goldstein
authors collection

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"Irving T. Bush" - August 1970
(note canopy frame)
A. D. Frazer photo
via T. Flagg

added 19 May 2009

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"Irving T. Bush" with Queen Elizabeth II - September 17, 1970
R. R. Malinowski photo
authors collection
added 29 April 2012

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"Irving T. Bush" with Carfloat #45 - September 1971
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 03 Nov 2009

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"Irving T. Bush" - November 1971
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 18 Nov 2009

Bush Terminal Tugboat & Powered Lighter Roster
(please note: vessels are in order of acquisition)

date built
(service dates)

builder /
location

official
number/
hull number


length

beam

draft


hp

gross
tonnage

net
tonnage

former owner
"vessel name"


power


notes

"Valiant"

1884

Perth Amboy steam wood hull
.
disposition:
unknown
.

.
"Beatrice Bush"

(tugboat)

1905
(1905 - 6/6/1958) 

R. Palmer
Noank, CT
  95'  25.3' 12.3' 800  212  124    steam [a]
.
disposition:
retired, scrapped
.

"Eleanor Bush"
(tugboat)

1906
(1906 - 1957)

R. Palmer
Noank, CT 
95'

25.3'

12.3' 800 212 124 steam [a]
.
disposition:
retired, abandoned at Witte Ship Yard for scrapping
.

"Turtle"
(lighter)

1906

A. C. Brown?
Tottenville, NY
92.4' 29.7' 8.7' 163 111 steam sold to Mutual Co. (NYC) by 1920
renamed "Thomas F. Timmins"
.

"Irving T. Bush"   (1st)  
(tugboat)

(   ?   -   ?   )

.
disposition:
unknown
.

"Irving T. Bush"   (2nd)
(tugboat)  

1958
(6/7/1958-1972)

Jakobson Shipyard
Oyster Bay, LI
  105' 26.2' 13.6'  1200 252 171  new diesel / electric Consolidation
design
disposition: transferred to New York Dock ownership in takeover of Bush Terminal properties.

Tugboat Footnotes:

The following specifications are taken from Johnson's Steam Vessels, 1920
[a] =  hull:wood

engine specs:

typeCompound
cylinders:20" & 40"
stroke:28"
i.h.p:800

boiler specs:

builder:Neafie & Levy, Phila, PA
number:1
type:single ended scotch
diameter: 14.6'
length:11.3
working pressure150 psi

.

Locomotive Overview - top of page

Railroad Equipment Photo Index:

Passenger Equipment


Steam Locomotives


Electric Locomotives

Gas & Diesel - Electric
Locomotives

Non-Revenue Equipment
No # 0-4-4Trolley #1 [1st]1245
910Plymouth Demonstrator GE-1 #2001

Reacher / Idler
#100

Reacher / Idler
#101
Trolley #1 [2nd]

Trolley #1 [3rd]

11

12

14

20

22 23

1

2

3

4

5

Rail Crane
Ohio Locomotive





6

7 88

89

Locomotive Roster

Marine Equipment Overview 

Lighter photosTugboat photos

Carfloat photos

Marine Equipment Roster

Back to Bush Terminal Main Page

. .




Carfloats


Bush Docks Interchange Carfloat #5 to side of 42nd Street Howe Truss float bridge - April 10, 1903
with Station Carfloat in background

added 13 August 2016 
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Bush Docks station carfloat #? moored to 42nd Street Howe Truss float bridge - February 6, 1903
with Baltimore & Ohio RR carfloat to side.
added 08 January 2023 
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Carfloat #8 in front of Pier 6 with Howe Truss float bridge and gallows - circa 1910
A. Moore photo
E. E. Rutter photograher
Culver Service collection
authors collection

added 13 August 2016 

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Carfloat #40 - April 21, 1961
AP Wire photo
authors collection

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Carfloat #41 (taken from BEDT carfloat #26) - 50th Street floatbridge "Bush 1" - September 1968
S. Goldstein photo
authors collection

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Carfloat #44 and another "40 series" BTRR carfloat with "Irving T. Bush"  - S
eptember 1964
G. Hoeller photo
G. Elwood collection

added 04 Oct 2009

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#88 w/  "Irving T. Bush" - July 12, 1971 - Bush 2 float bridge, Brooklyn, NY
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 15 October 2012

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Carfloat #45 with "Irving T. Bush" - September 1971
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 03 Nov 2009

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Bush Terminal Carfloat. unpowered Lighter & Scow Roster

(list is known to be incomplete)

number configuration official and/or construction # shipyard hull laid launched delivered info notes ref.
covered lighter seen in ca. 1910 photo
.

carfloat ex-Lehigh Valley [c]

#8 carfloat wood
.

#40 three track interchange short? this carfloat sunk at Bush 1 Bridge 1961,
refloated.
[a] [b]
scrapped by 1972
.

#41 three track interchange short? [a] [b]
scrapped by 1972
.

#42 three track interchange [a] [b]
scrapped by 1972
.

#43 three track interchange [a] [b]
scrapped by 1972
.

#44 three track interchange short [a] [b]
scrapped by 1972
.

#45 [a] [b]
scrapped by 1972
.

#60 [a] [b]
to New York Dock 1972

[a]   It appears that the "40" series carfloats were all of steel hull construction, and were of a shorter 14 car: [5-4-5] three track interchange type.
The 1930 aerial photo shows both standard 17 car [6-5-6] capacity and 14 car capacity carfloats marked for Bush Terminal.
[b] information comes from Benjamin W. Schaeffer, which in turn was received during a telephone call with Mark S. Balkin, in 1978. Information had been compiled by Mr. Balkin for an intended article on New York Dock Railway but upon Mr. Balkin's death, went unpublished. This information has now been collated by myself and Mr. Schaeffer and published here. As some of these acquistion too place after the BEDT / NYD merger on 1978, this information is published on the New York Dock page as well.
[c] "I next purchased a decrepit, second-hand carfloat from the Lehigh Valley Railroad. It, too, had outgrown its usefulness, and was in constant need of a good pump."  
"Working with the World", by Irving T. Bush; p21-22. (Doubleday Doran), 1928.

.

Locomotive Overview - top of page

Railroad Equipment Photo Index:

Passenger Equipment


Steam Locomotives


Electric Locomotives

Gas & Diesel - Electric
Locomotives

Non-Revenue Equipment
No # 0-4-4Trolley #1 [1st]1245
910Plymouth Demonstrator GE-1 #2001

Reacher / Idler
#100

Reacher / Idler
#101
Trolley #1 [2nd]

Trolley #1 [3rd]

11

12

14

20

22 23

1

2

3

4

5

Rail Crane
Ohio Locomotive





6

7 88

89

Locomotive Roster

Marine Equipment Overview 

Lighter photosTugboat photos

Carfloat photos

Marine Equipment Roster

Back to Bush Terminal Main Page

.



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