BusFest 2006: 13th Annual NYTM Bus Festival

[G1Ravage]

I'll be there if I'm off that day.

[Driver@BTN]

I'll be there if I'm off that day.

That's what AVA's are for. You should have put in for the 17th on (the very latest) September 5th assuming you had no prior banked AVA's. Instead of cashing-in the last holiday, you bank it for a day off. But even if you are working, you can request a CDW. You'll need to get that done today; see the union.

Did you guys agree on a meeting place? Of course, I won't be there physically, but I'll be there in spirit while snoozing on some mountain top inside a cabin deep in the heart of smalltown USA. To all -- have fun! And take pictures!

[TransitGuy]

Just to let everyone know, from what I hear sunday will be a good day with no rain. So I hope to see you all there.

[G1Ravage]

I'll be there if I'm off that day.

That's what AVA's are for. You should have put in for the 17th on (the very latest) September 5th assuming you had no prior banked AVA's. Instead of cashing-in the last holiday, you bank it for a day off. But even if you are working, you can request a CDW. You'll need to get that done today; see the union.

Did you guys agree on a meeting place? Of course, I won't be there physically, but I'll be there in spirit while snoozing on some mountain top inside a cabin deep in the heart of smalltown USA. To all -- have fun! And take pictures!

As it turns out, my RDO's are Sunday/Saturday. I win. =)

In any case, for now, I want to save my AVA's for something important down the line, like a family event.

[Beeline Flx789]

Could someone give me a definitive answer as to whether LIB will have a bus represented at the upcoming BusFest? If so, I am going to try to be the driver by signing for RDO that day. Thanks-LIBHound.

Well I have twice seen a LIB bus at the BusFest so there is a chance that it could happen this year.Find out and see what happens.

[MTAZeregaDisp]

I heard they will. LIB

[TransitGuy]

Whew I just came back from Bus Fest and it was great, unfortunately TCC 621, and NYCTA 5227 were not there (bummer), Photos will be uploaded soon.

[Transit_Teen]

Whew I just came back from Bus Fest and it was great, unfortunately TCC 621, and NYCTA 5227 were not there (bummer), Photos will be uploaded soon.

 
I can't wait.

[TransitGuy]

Whew I just came back from Bus Fest and it was great, unfortunately TCC 621, and NYCTA 5227 were not there (bummer), Photos will be uploaded soon.

 
I can't wait.

I just posted some so everyone can see. Oh on a side note it was also my first time going to Atlantic Antic and I must say that was very cool.

[G1Ravage]

Standard selection of vintage buses were present, with some ex-privates in their original liveries, such as GBL's 10001. The newest bus present was a 45x bus from LIB. I was hoping to see one of the new 2006 Orion VII HEV's, but alas, it wasn't meant to be.

[RJM]

I just finished uploading my pictures from today. Click on 1502 to see the rest:



As for a HEV at the festival, I'm glad that there wasn't one. We're going to have those for 12 more years, so we'll get more than our fair share of them (and then they'll end up at BusFest 2018.)

[Green_713]

I just finished uploading my pictures from today. Click on 1502 to see the rest

I'm in one of your shots.

I'll upload mine a little later, I *only* took a little under 550 pics.

[Pipe]

RJM. Very good pictures of the Bus Festival. "Pipe"

[Pipe]

I just finished uploading my pictures from today. Click on 1502 to see the rest

I'm in one of your shots.

I'll upload mine a little later, I *only* took a little under 550 pics.

Mr Green. Are you going to tell what picture your in? "Pipe"

[Pipe]

TransitGuy. Very good pictures of the Bus Festival. "Pipe"

[Bushwick22]

If anyone saw a black guy in a dark blue shirt with the words "Presidential Classroom" in white letters, that was me.

[Mr. RT]

RJM, Realy nice group of photos, thanks for sharing !

[N19 Freeport]

If anyone is interested, here are the 13 buses on Boerum Place, 6.17.2006, according to position:
Facing north (away from the sun!) on the west curb:
Fifth Ave Coach 1263, a 1931 double-decker.  (I am puzzled by the sign that said Brooklyn had double-deckers.)
3758 New Look, 1963. (Correction made to third digit of bus number.  Thanks.)
8466 New Look, 1984.
LI Bus 452, 2004
--------
Facing south at the median in the street:
3100
8928 New Look
3006 Liberty Lines, GM Classic
4904 Command
---------
Facing north at the median in the street:
2969 lettered for NYC Omnibus, but green and grey, 1948.
10001 Green Lines RTS
3865 Jamaica Bus, 1993
---------
Facing south along east curb of the street:
1502 New York Bus Service New Look
236 Grumman 1980
100 New Look
303 Fifth Avenue Coach 1917 "Queen Anne" open top, double-decker.
-------
Feel free to correct any errors above.  When I get around to resizing and posting my photos, I'll note it in this thread.
-------
I enjoyed the Atlantic Antic greatly.  Crowded, lively.  I think the Bus Fest drew many more onlookers because of the smart location and timing.

[Flx7595]

If anyone is interested, here are the 13 buses on Boerum Place, 6.17.2006, according to position:
Facing north (away from the sun!) on the west curb:
Fifth Ave Coach 1263, a 1931 double-decker.  (I am puzzled by the sign that said Brooklyn had double-deckers.)
3748 New Look, 1963.
8466 New Look, 1984.
LI Bus 452, 2004

That new look is bus 3758, not 3748. I was surprised to learn that it made its last run at Stengel (Flushing) Depot in 1981. By the way, was anything wrong with it - the front looked like it was sagging.  I knew it wasn't "kneeling" but it almost looked like it wasn't drivable.

And WHO put the "Ulmer Park Depot" stickers all over 8928? Sorry. It just doesn't belong

[Bob Sandewicz]

I just finished uploading my pictures from today.

Nice shots, RJM; thanks!!!! I just came back from vacation and could not attend this year's BusFest, but your photos made me feel as if I was right there.

[N19 Freeport]

I have added Bus Fest 2006 photos to a separate album on my members' gallery:
http://gallery.bustalk.net/thumbnails.php?album=569

Comments and corrections are welcome. 

[Pipe]

N19Freeport. Nice pictures of the Bus Festival. "Pipe"

[Mr. Brian]

Standard selection of vintage buses were present, with some ex-privates in their original liveries, such as GBL's 10001.

Am I the only one who is bothered by the fact that livery isn't 100% accurate?

[TransitGuy]

Standard selection of vintage buses were present, with some ex-privates in their original liveries, such as GBL's 10001.

Am I the only one who is bothered by the fact that livery isn't 100% accurate?

I know what you mean. The stripes on the GBL aren't that accurate (the stripe by the name itself is suppose to be a diagonal cut but they just gave it a boxy look. The buses look good but I noticed that they changed the fareboxes to the old ones. They also should have removed the green pointers on the JBL bus and put back the decel lights if they wanted to be accurate. But I am happy that these buses are preserved in the first place.

[Bob Sandewicz]

I have added Bus Fest 2006 photos to a separate album on my members' gallery:
http://gallery.bustalk.net/thumbnails.php?album=569

Comments and corrections are welcome. 

Great stuff, N19; thanks!
By the way, were there any giveaways at the BusFest (i.e. Insider's Guides, etc.)?

[N19 Freeport]

At the south end of the block, the Museum had a well-staffed table of give-a-ways.  The best item was a reproduction of a Fifth Avenue Coach Company map of routes and Visiitor's Guide during the 1939 World's Fair.  They had copies of the May 2006 Queens bus map, but no other 2006 maps.  They also offered the 1905-2005 brochure of NYC Motor Buses.  At the north end of the block was a table of items for sale: mugs, books, etc.  The books looked interesting, but I am now reluctant to add to my collection.

[RJM]

Standard selection of vintage buses were present, with some ex-privates in their original liveries, such as GBL's 10001.

Am I the only one who is bothered by the fact that livery isn't 100% accurate?

Eh, it's only a minor inaccuracy on one bus. I'm happy that they actually rehabbed 10001 to look like new, because it looks better now than it probably ever did under Green.

[RJM]

At the south end of the block, the Museum had a well-staffed table of give-a-ways.  The best item was a reproduction of a Fifth Avenue Coach Company map of routes and Visiitor's Guide during the 1939 World's Fair.  They had copies of the May 2006 Queens bus map, but no other 2006 maps.  They also offered the 1905-2005 brochure of NYC Motor Buses.  At the north end of the block was a table of items for sale: mugs, books, etc.  The books looked interesting, but I am now reluctant to add to my collection.

They didn't happen to have the 2006 Insider's Guide, did they? I wanted to get a copy of that, but I left emptyhanded...

[Mr. Brian]

Standard selection of vintage buses were present, with some ex-privates in their original liveries, such as GBL's 10001.

Am I the only one who is bothered by the fact that livery isn't 100% accurate?

Eh, it's only a minor inaccuracy on one bus. I'm happy that they actually rehabbed 10001 to look like new, because it looks better now than it probably ever did under Green.

I'm just a huge stickler for accuracy. 

[Mr. RT]

OK triva fans can you help me with these facts ?
- 1909 5th Ave dbl decker (pictured on MC) was called what ?
- 1917 5th Ave dbl decker towed to festival was called Queen Anne
- ? 5th Ave modern dbl decker was called Queen Mary ? Yr, mfg ?

[RJM]

Standard selection of vintage buses were present, with some ex-privates in their original liveries, such as GBL's 10001.

Am I the only one who is bothered by the fact that livery isn't 100% accurate?

Eh, it's only a minor inaccuracy on one bus. I'm happy that they actually rehabbed 10001 to look like new, because it looks better now than it probably ever did under Green.

I'm just a huge stickler for accuracy. 

I guess you didn't notice the upside-down "no smoking/no eating/no radios" sticker inside 10001 either? ;-)

[RailBus63]

At the south end of the block, the Museum had a well-staffed table of give-a-ways.  The best item was a reproduction of a Fifth Avenue Coach Company map of routes and Visiitor's Guide during the 1939 World's Fair. 

If anyone has an extra copy of the Fifth Ave. map that they'd be willing to part with, please PM me.

Jim

[Hart Bus]

It was nice to see a couple of old friends such as Sidney Keyles, Ed Crew and "Doctor" Howard Fine and the weather was great.

Having MTAB buses there was a treat.   I don't know if they have added a QSC bus to their collection.

One disappointment was that no Flx New Looks were there.  Also no private collector brought any buses down.  In past years Joe Saitta has brought his Flx New Look Down, Peter Pan sent down its Futurliner and Double A would also brought two buses down.

Also why did the Transit Museum have to have 3 gate cars on display and not have their R-10 or R-12.  To show three of the same car is not that educational

[Mr. RT]

"... OK triva fans can you help me with these facts .....
- 1917 5th Ave dbl decker towed to festival was called Queen Anne

I came accross a Transit Museum Book Mark that desputes that the Queen Anne is 1917.
It says it is a 1931 GM Z-BH-602 #1263, sold by 5th Ave in 1961

[Pipe]

"... OK triva fans can you help me with these facts .....
- 1917 5th Ave dbl decker towed to festival was called Queen Anne

I came accross a Transit Museum Book Mark that desputes that the Queen Anne is 1917.
It says it is a 1931 GM Z-BH-602 #1263, sold by 5th Ave in 1961

The Queen Anne is a 1917 5th Ave Bus_303. Built by 5th Ave.Coach Co. 1931 Yellow Coach (GM) Bus 1263 was called Besty. The two photo's below are copy rights of N19Freeport.( I hope it was OK to post them) "Pipe"

[Mr. Brian]

I guess you didn't notice the upside-down "no smoking/no eating/no radios" sticker inside 10001 either? ;-)

Oh dear...

[Mr. RT]

Pipe, thanks for the input.  Since I wasn't there, I didn't realize both old buses were there (and didn't know they existed).
5th Ave had another 30s or 40s double decker ... a big one.
I've seen photos of it, but couldn't find a reference to it in my office (will probably find it when I'm not looking for it ... oh well my sock draw needed organizing :-)

Do you have any particulars on this big double decker ?
BTW, one existed in some junk yard as a office, at least it was there recently ... a collegue saw it & showed me a photo.

[N19 Freeport]

In the excellent book by Guy Martin, "New York City Transit Buses: 1945-1975 Photo Archive," on page 12, the author relates, "One coach #2124 has been preserved as a part of the New York Transit Museum."  Years ago, I rode it on a fan trip in Brooklyn, but I did not see it at Bus Fest 2006.  Page 13 explains that the Yellow Coach models 720 and 735 totalled 160 in Fifth Avenue Coach service in 1938.  "The 720s were similar in appearance, but shorter in height, allowing them to oprate under the Roosevelt Avenue el structure on the Route 15 Jackson Heights line."

[Pipe]

MT.RT Fifth Ave Coach Co. 1938 Yellow Coach (GM) Bus 2124. It was called Queen Mary. "Pipe"

[Mr. RT]

Yep, that's it !
Thanks for the post.

[TransitGuy]

For those of you who went, how did you all like it? I myself loved bus fest being that is was my first time and it was just great to see some buses that I have ridden on in the fleet. but maybe they should get a bigger space to fit more buses (NYCTA 5227 and TCC 621 were MIA).

[Driver@BTN]

An additional write-up from last month's (October 2006) The Leader:

[Green_713]

An additional write-up from last month's (October 2006) The Leader:

Hey!  It's Victor in that pic!  It must've been taken early that pic, cause he's still wearing his jacket.  I know that later on in the afternoon, it was unbearable in the buses and everybody was just about ready to strip to our skivvies in the heat!  But, he kept such a happy and professional demeanor up to everybody!

Matter of fact, I sent you a PM about him and the BusFest, don't know if you received it or not Driver.

And speaking of BusFest, I need to upload my shots of the BusFest soon, I have, IIRC, over 500 shots and a dozen videos from it.