"Service was dependable; they did not play games to inflate their OTP."
From time to time it's alleged that games are being played to goose the on-time performance numbers. I can't believe that's anything new.
"The prewar IND equipment did have one piece of equipment lacking on the postwar fleet - brakes capable of stopping the train within 250 feet at the maximum attainable speed. This is the most relevant feature regarding both service capacity and safety."
Then I must add another word to the lexicon with which Mr. Bauman seems to be unfamiliar: "lawsuit." Rightly or wrongly, the braking specification has been diluted to provide for softer stops, in order to prevent people from falling.
"Signals were not required during cable operation. Immediately after cable operation, they went to a signal system with 100 foot blocks. The signal system was wired to enforce a 700 foot back-to-front spacing between trains. THIS REDUCED SERVICE LEVELS TO 64 TPH."
And so it began...
David