|
|
| Blizzard of 96 (1646046) | |
 |
|
| Home > SubChat | |
[ Post a New Response | Return to the Index ]
|
| (1646046) | |
Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by BrooklynBus on Wed Jan 7 16:10:46 2026 Today marks 30 years since the Blizzard of 96.What does that have to do with the subways? That blizzard gave me work for three years at the MTA where I prepared an insurance claim for $8 million. Interesting enough, the policy was taken out only two weeks before the blizzard. After the MTA collected, no insurance company would cover future blizzards. |
|
|
| (1646047) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by W.B. on Wed Jan 7 17:10:05 2026, in response to Blizzard of 96, posted by BrooklynBus on Wed Jan 7 16:10:46 2026. The buses would have been more pertinent. It's been said that the RTS series of buses would have been the last to weather the storms and carry passengers in the worst of the weather, and that future buses "wimped out" at the slightest amount of snow. |
|
|
| (1646048) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by W.B. on Wed Jan 7 17:10:05 2026, in response to Blizzard of 96, posted by BrooklynBus on Wed Jan 7 16:10:46 2026. The buses would have been more pertinent. It's been said that the RTS series of buses would have been the last to weather the storms and carry passengers in the worst of the weather, and that future buses "wimped out" at the slightest amount of snow. |
|
|
(Sponsored) |
iPhone 6 (4.7 Inch) Premium PU Leather Wallet Case - Red w/ Floral Interior - by Notch-It |
|
| (1646049) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by Steve B-8AVEXP on Wed Jan 7 19:05:53 2026, in response to Re: Blizzard of 96, posted by W.B. on Wed Jan 7 17:10:05 2026. The R-16s didn't care for snow, either. At the first hint of snowfall, they were sent over to the Lonesome Larry and BMT standards battled the elements on the Curly and Moe lines. |
|
|
| (1646050) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by Orange Blossom Special on Wed Jan 7 21:06:01 2026, in response to Blizzard of 96, posted by BrooklynBus on Wed Jan 7 16:10:46 2026. It is also 70 years away from the blizzard of '96 also. |
|
|
| (1646051) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by Catfish 44 on Wed Jan 7 22:00:52 2026, in response to Blizzard of 96, posted by BrooklynBus on Wed Jan 7 16:10:46 2026. My 1973 VW Standard Beetle with semiautomatic trans was the first car off the block the next day. Such a glorious time driving from E.13th and T back home to the peninsula. Shoveled snow with no gloves and everyone thought I was crazy. |
|
|
| (1646052) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by trains61 on Wed Jan 7 23:20:29 2026, in response to Re: Blizzard of 96, posted by Catfish 44 on Wed Jan 7 22:00:52 2026. 1973 Super Beetle with semi-automatic transmission was my first vehicle. The brakes sucked in the rain but never got stuck in the snow.The Lurkers'Guild The other Beetlemania |
|
|
| (1646054) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by Catfish 44 on Thu Jan 8 06:07:25 2026, in response to Re: Blizzard of 96, posted by trains61 on Wed Jan 7 23:20:29 2026. Nice! What color was it? |
|
|
| (1646055) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by New Flyer #857 on Thu Jan 8 06:38:30 2026, in response to Re: Blizzard of 96, posted by W.B. on Wed Jan 7 17:10:05 2026. Do you think high-floor vs. low-floor had anything to do with it? |
|
|
| (1646056) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by Catfish 44 on Thu Jan 8 08:40:46 2026, in response to Re: Blizzard of 96, posted by W.B. on Wed Jan 7 17:10:05 2026. Id say that in the early 90s the new looks answers the call during the coldest and snowiest weather and the RTSs were back on the ranch.Especially true for Green Bus Lines. |
|
|
| (1646057) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by trains61 on Thu Jan 8 10:58:42 2026, in response to Re: Blizzard of 96, posted by Catfish 44 on Thu Jan 8 06:07:25 2026. It was that faded reddish/orange color. Bought it in Staten Island. Got over the Verazzano Bridge and engine blew up coasted to the BQE and the first exit had a Volkswagen dealership, in Brooklyn. Engine got rebuilt, at cost but was the strongest element on the vehicle.The Lurkers' Guild Where is the clutch pedal? HA |
|
|
| (1646058) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by BrooklynBus on Thu Jan 8 12:16:09 2026, in response to Re: Blizzard of 96, posted by W.B. on Wed Jan 7 17:10:05 2026. The MTA was partially reimbursed for loss of business due to some outdoor subways, LIRR, and buses not running. |
|
|
| (1646059) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by Catfish 44 on Thu Jan 8 12:26:17 2026, in response to Re: Blizzard of 96, posted by trains61 on Thu Jan 8 10:58:42 2026. That was called Bright Orange. It was around for 1973-74.Many VW fans didnt like the automatic stickshift but I didnt mind it. Although it wouldnt be my first choice the car ran just fine with it. As cool and fun as they are the best you can hope for is 100K miles on the engine before it needs a rebuild of some sort. |
|
|
| (1646062) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by BILLBKLYN on Fri Jan 9 09:19:35 2026, in response to Blizzard of 96, posted by BrooklynBus on Wed Jan 7 16:10:46 2026. I barely made it into work on the 7th. It happened to be my last day before I was off for a few days. When I was going home later that night, myself and a buddy had to take the GG Crosstown Local and got off at Fulton Street to walk a few blocks to Pacific Street to catch a 4th Ave Local RR. BUT, by then that line was closed so we were prepared to walk all the way to Bay Ridge along 4th Avenue, but a few blocks in, we were able to grab a Monchito car service, which took us to Bay Ridge and straight to the bar! Ryan's Ale House was PACKED when we got there! Stayed out all night boozing! |
|
|
| (1646063) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Fri Jan 9 11:47:02 2026, in response to Blizzard of 96, posted by BrooklynBus on Wed Jan 7 16:10:46 2026. I remember that storm well. I was on the #7 heading to Woodside. My train lost power between 33d St & 40th St, Lowery. We got stuck in a snowbank with the snow covering the 3 rail. They sent the next train to hook up with our stuck train to push us int Lowery St. and he lost power and got stuck. Not knowing how long we would be there, no communications, no announcements, we all did the next best irrational thing. We all bailed out and walked along the skinny pathway between the train and Queens Blvd 40 feet below to the 40th st. station. From there we were on our own.At that point, I walked to my Moms house on 59th St hitting every gin mill on the way. |
|
|
| (1646064) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by Catfish 44 on Fri Jan 9 13:07:40 2026, in response to Re: Blizzard of 96, posted by BILLBKLYN on Fri Jan 9 09:19:35 2026. Monchito Car Service!!! What a blast from the past that is! |
|
|
| (1646069) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by jan k. lorenzen on Fri Jan 9 16:19:57 2026, in response to Re: Blizzard of 96, posted by Catfish 44 on Wed Jan 7 22:00:52 2026. At the time of the '96 blizzard, I was still driving the black 64 Impala 4 door, 283 with three on the tree and was usually parked on the street. I kept a coal shovel in the trunk, but only really needed it to dig out a parking spot just enough so I could get in or out. The stick enabled me to use the clutch to rock the car back and forth, don't remember ever getting stuck in the snow. It was driven back and forth from Northside Williamsburg to JFK (BQE to LIE to Van Wyck) for work, and I had to be especially mindful of skidding with those manual drum brakes. No snow tires either. I must have been nuts doing that with that car, but I managed to get through ok. |
|
|
| (1646072) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by Catfish 44 on Fri Jan 9 19:59:23 2026, in response to Re: Blizzard of 96, posted by jan k. lorenzen on Fri Jan 9 16:19:57 2026. I can imagine as you look back at how crazy those moves were. I had plenty myself. I think it made me a better person overall. Especially problem solving.No fuel from the tank to fuel pump? Wheres the nearest parts store? I need 20 feet of fuel line and a gas can. Ill get home! And I did. |
|
|
| (1646073) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by BILLBKLYN on Fri Jan 9 21:50:01 2026, in response to Re: Blizzard of 96, posted by Catfish 44 on Fri Jan 9 13:07:40 2026. Yes indeed! |
|
|
| (1646074) | |
Re: Blizzard of 96 |
|
|
Posted by BILLBKLYN on Fri Jan 9 21:53:19 2026, in response to Re: Blizzard of 96, posted by jan k. lorenzen on Fri Jan 9 16:19:57 2026. On the 7th, I was in the Williamsburg area as well |
|
|
