Here's a nice shot of the conveyance that spelled the demise of the Newark streetcar -- the trackless trolley perfected by Public Service engineers and introduced in the mid '30s. Using overhead wires, a TT could follow established streetcar routes or, with its poles secured, could continue under gasoline or diesel power. In this photo both modes are evident. By the '50s, the TTs -- and all electric transportation in Newark except the 7 City Subway -- were a thing of the past. This view shows the intersection of Broad and Market streets, looking east down Market. You can just see the Newark Paramount in the upper right corner.

Having worked for PSE&G since before Transport separated from the E&G side I used to hear some interesting stories.

One of which had to do with the 1939 New York Worlds Fair and the use of Public Service buses to transport NJ people over to the fair. I was told that the All service vehicles were used so that they could run under the wires in NY, thus saving on fuel costs where they could. Sounds like energy theft in a way, doesn't it?

I guess those Trackless Trollies were the first hybrids. Who knew? I know, The Shadow knew.

"Let's ride with the family down the street,
Through the courtesy of Fred's two feet."

Are you sure this is Broad and Market?

If you mean the top photo, yes. The other photo was taken on Duryea Street between Orange and Sussex.

I was always amazed by the idea of a trackless trolley and wondered what would happen if one of the drivers ever swerved too far to avoid an accident or just plain forgot and made the wrong turn. Funny I was in Philly for the Penn Relays this weekend and stayed in center city on a street that had the trackless trolleys. That was the first place I'd ever seen them years ago. Hadn't thought about them for years... then came home, opened Bodholts, and Voila !

Further research on these vehicles reveals they ran on gasoline when not hooked up (not diesel), and were more properly called All-Service Vehicles by Public Service.