Rollsign roll-through: NYC Subway BMT/IND 1970s Side Route Rollsign (R16-R38)

[@burbank]

Thank you for this demonstration it was great to see those old retro signage of the various New York City Transit lines. This is a great treat thank you for posting!

[@mtattrain2]

4:02 finally, after 40+ years of being a concept, the route comes into fruition with the service changes occurring because of the 63 st track work.

[@wmbrown6]

That MM was supposed to have been a midday service, as the middle of a sandwich whose loaves were the AM and PM rush KK line (shortened after Jan. 2, 1973 to K).

[@BenTheMiner]

It's awesome that you have this roll!

[@wmbrown6]

Would have been interesting to see what an IRT roll sign designed in this way might have looked like. Especially the descriptions of the routes (i.e. '1 Broadway Local' or '2 Seventh Av Express').

[@timosha21]

I'm a tram and I approve this video ding ding!

[@YAZZYUTUBE]

Those are the rollsigns that were only used on the R16 cars. All other rollsigns on other car types were black background with white lettering.

[@JeffFrmJoisey]

EE - The rational behind the EE had to do with the 1956 connection of the BMT's 60th St Tunnel to the IND Queens Blvd Line. The EE ran from 71st St-Continental Blvd/Forest Hills via the IND then via the BMT Broadway line via the 60th St Tunnel, terminating at Whitehall St/South Ferry station.

[@smallflame85]

That is a connection that was very vital for the system but does not get as much attention as the Chrystie St Connection.

[@femboichik]

And one of the Es of sign is flipped :D

[@CaseysTrains]

The EE is just today's W Train to be honest. Especially taking into count the N & R terminal swap in 1987.

[@jakubhanak41]

The EE Broadway local run from Whitehall local via Broadway and than via Queens Boulevard line (similar to todays R)

[@ifoxy-]

do you have an idea on how a rollsign works?

[@smallflame85]

I'm not sure what you're asking. Can you be more specific please?

[@ifoxy-]

@@smallflame85 the mechanism on how a rollsign works, I watch other videos and of course it has a crank to make it move but how? is the paper that thin to make it work and roll.

[@imdanumber1]

Do you have details of the roll? Like the maker and the lot number?

[@smallflame85]

I don't unfortunately, and the roll ends are blank. I wonder if that information might be available through the NYTM.

[@wmbrown6]

@@smallflame85 - From what I've gathered, it was either Transign or Trans-Lite.

[@Silence6308]

Were can I get this

[@smallflame85]

eBay is your best bet, maybe a transit show like the East Penn Traction Meet or the New York City Transit Model Association Show. These are not easy to come by.

[@Silence6308]

@@smallflame85 ok thank you

[@imdanumber1]

@@smallflame85 when are the next shows taking place? And are you allowed to sell your own gear at these shows?

[@smallflame85]

@@imdanumber1I have not seen any upcoming plans yet with the shows that I'm familiar with. Typically the NYCMTA Transit and Trolley Meet and the East Penn Traction Club Trolley Meet are shows where you can find old signs.

[@smallflame85]

I just remembered SubwayAl and Rapid Transit Art a good online sources for old transit signs. Their collections are pretty extensive. You can web search them for their sites and they also have stores on eBay you can check out. They are pretty responsive, so you can message them for anything you might be looking for.