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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 22290 Location: NEW JOISEY
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 22290 Location: NEW JOISEY
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 22290 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 1:40 pm Post subject: |
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Oh, give me a home, where the "Buffalo" roll............
Not surprisingly, the article states that these buses were indeed influenced by the SCENICRUISER.......
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Buffalo_bus |
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W.B. Fishbowl
Age: 57 Joined: 02 Oct 2014 Posts: 2379 Location: New York, New York, USA
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 4:46 pm Post subject: |
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Images #3409 and 3429, I see, each have a 'Buffalo' bus with 4-piece rear window . . . such were few and far between, compared with the regular New Looks. |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 22290 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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W.B. Fishbowl wrote: |
Images #3409 and 3429, I see, each have a 'Buffalo' bus with 4-piece rear window . . . such were few and far between, compared with the regular New Looks. |
W.B:
Yes, as far as "commuter" buses went, I always thought that the "Buffalo" type coach looked much more like a highway coach than a suburban commuter bus.
Indeed, they DID stand out amid all the commonplace Fishbowls, that, at the time, still were the backbone of New Jersey suburban carrier's fleets.
Early on, those purchased by suburban carriers seemed to be mostly used for charter work.......
"NYO" |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 22290 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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While on the subject of "parlor coaches":
Though we mostly associate the PD-4104's/4106's with companies such as GREYHOUND and TRAILWAYS, a number of suburban carriers also utilized them, both in "long haul" work and charters.
PS utilized both types; I remember these being used in shore routes (and also to AC)
DE CAMP rostered 4104's as well as "Bisons"; likewise INTER-CITY.
LINCOLN TRANSIT also used 4104's between New York and Atlantic City. back in the day....
"NYO" |
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traildriver
Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2452 Location: South Florida
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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The "buffalo" styled PD-4107 Luxury Liner (in GM parlance), as well as the PD-4903 Super Luxury Liner, as GM called them in their sales brochures (have one in my "archives"), as well as their successor models, were sort of "hybrids", in the sense, they incorporated many of the same windows and other body panels shared with the 'New Look' transit and suburban cousins.
In fact GM even bragged how they were lighter on their drive axle than the PD-4106 'Parlor Coach' predecessor, even though they were almost a foot taller.
I believe many familiar with the two types, as well as the earlier PD-4104, considered them as inferior to the older types, in structural integrity, among other parameter's. The only real advantage, was the additional volume of cargo space the extra height afforded.
I will agree that their advanced styling did afford them more "curb appeal", especially perhaps, for charter sales....
But from a driver's perspective, I've said it before, and I'll say it again...
the 4106 was my all-time favorite....
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 22290 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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traildriver:
DE CAMP, as I had mentioned earlier, also rostered 4104's; the company had 15 in all, delivered between 1954 and 1960.
It was not until 1968 that DE CAMP purchased new parlor coaches; these were "Bison" which were used primarily for charter work, but also, used used on certain commuter runs, especially the #77.
The 4106, I have long felt, never really got its "full due", at least from some enthusiasts; though basically a more modern, "angular" version of the 4104, it was indeed a bus that more than proved its worth, no matter where it operated.
The 4106, also, was the first to use the New Detroit Diesel 8V-71 engine, which developed 253 horsepower.
Some 3,226 4106's were built between 1961 and 1965; not surprisingly, GREYHOUND and TRAILWAYS both rostered substantial numbers.
I can well remember riding on what is today's NJT #159R well over 30 years ago, and being aboard an ex-INTER-CITY/MAPLEWOOD 4106; a NICE bus with a NICE ride.....I miss them still.....(they sure sounded real sweet when in "full cry")..........
"NYO"
Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Sat Aug 04, 2018 8:24 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 22290 Location: NEW JOISEY
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 22290 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 9:58 pm Post subject: |
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Like the later MC-6, the PD-4103 was more or less (IMHO) an "underdog" in the great GREYHOUND fleet.
Sandwiched between the majestic, imposing SILVERSIDES and the futuristic, iconic SCENICRUISER, the "lowly" 4103, it would seem, never got the attention garned by both aforementioned buses.
In GREYHOUND's vast fleet, the SILVERSIDES achieved much acclaim as "AMERICA'S BUS" during the 1940's; it became nationally known during those years, through the hundreds of colorful GREYHOUND ads in the magazines of the day.
The SCENICRUISER, of course, became an American icon almost overnight.
Not so the more sedate 4103; however, here was a bus that was not only handsome and up-to-date, but rugged and dependable.
Many companies throughout the country operated the 4103 well through the 60's; these big buses also saw much charter work, especially when they hit the second-hand market in later years.
I well remember these buses in charter service in my much younger days; and, not surprisingly, I still have a special place in my heart reserved for them.........
"NYO"
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_PD-4103 |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 22290 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 11:34 pm Post subject: |
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W.B:
In this classic rush hour scene at the PABT back in 1981, the lone MANHATTAN LINES "Buffalo" is indeed the "odd one out" in this teeming sea of Fishbowls; how well I remember such timeless scenes.......
http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2359
(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org) |
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traildriver
Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2452 Location: South Florida
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2018 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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That's a great resource...thanks for posting it...
I read thru the entire list, and did not see any for the AT&SF Ry., which had at least one of them (I know because I rode on it), used as "TrainBus" connections at either Richmond or Oakland to San Francisco for the San Francisco Chief, the Golden Gates, and later also for WP's California Zephyr.
The bus took RR passenger's from trainside to or from the Santa Fe bus terminal at 44 Fourth Street in downtown SF.
The actual operator, as disclosed in the "legals", was the Santa Fe Trail Transportation Company, the mainly truck subsidiary... |
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traildriver
Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2452 Location: South Florida
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2018 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote: | Like the later MC-6, the PD-4103 was more or less (IMHO) an "underdog" in the great GREYHOUND fleet.
Sandwiched between the majestic, imposing SILVERSIDES and the futuristic, iconic SCENICRUISER, the "lowly" 4103, it would seem, never got the attention garned by both aforementioned buses.
In GREYHOUND's vast fleet, the SILVERSIDES achieved much acclaim as "AMERICA'S BUS" during the 1940's; it became nationally known during those years, through the hundreds of colorful GREYHOUND ads in the magazines of the day.
The SCENICRUISER, of course, became an American icon almost overnight.
Not so the more sedate 4103; however, here was a bus that was not only handsome and up-to-date, but rugged and dependable.
Many companies throughout the country operated the 4103 well through the 60's; these big buses also saw much charter work, especially when they hit the second-hand market in later years.
I well remember these buses in charter service in my much younger days; and, not surprisingly, I still have a special place in my heart reserved for them.........
"NYO"
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_PD-4103 |
When I was going to school in the fifties, I went on several school trips, and we most often rode on hand-me-down coaches from Greyhound and other companies purchased by our local charter company. Several trips in Silversides and 4103's. But the most "exotic" coach was on a long trip to Washington in around 1960....The first coach to arrive at our pick up point was an old Silversides. But the driver could not find its insurance card, and our diligent leader refused to allow us to board. An hour later, a replacement coach arrived...it was a truly ancient Supercoach, built in 1939!
To me, it was a big treat, but to just about everyone else, a disappointment... |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 22290 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2018 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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traildriver:
Glad you enjoyed the links....as always, my pleasure!
Regarding Santa Fe buses:
SANTA FE TRAILWAYS once operated PICKWICK sleeper buses between Kansas City and LA; the railroad owned 8 of these behemoths, which were originally owned and operated by COLUMBIA-PACIFIC NITE COACH.
This unique service was abandoned when WW2 hit, and was never re-instated afterwards.
In "TRAILWAYS BUSES" (by William A. Luke) there is a sharp photo of an Model 01 EAGLE, which was operated by SKG LINES; look closely, and you will see a GREYHOUND "running dog" superimposed over the classic SF insignia, on the coach's flanks!
Interestingly, TRAILWAYS owned half of this company, and GREYHOUND owned the other half.
SKG operated buses between Kansas City (Missouri) and Tulsa, Oklahoma.......
"NYO"
Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Sun Aug 05, 2018 3:33 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 22290 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2018 3:31 pm Post subject: |
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traildriver:
Some more SF bus trivia:
SANTA FE TRAIL TRANSPORTATION COMPANY was originally the SOUTHERN KANSAS STAGE LINES; this was a sizeable bus company during the 1920's.
The AT&SF Ry. became interested later on, and aquired the company in the 1930's.
In 1936, SANTA FE TRAIL SYSTEM became one of the original founders of the NATIONAL TRAILWAYS BUS SYSTEM.
At that time, this was the largest part of the system, and operated more than 10,000 route miles; there were also many smaller feeder lines involved.
*NOTE:
In "THE BUS WORLD ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BUSES" (Ed Stauss), there is a photo of a SANTA FE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY 4106, taken at LA in 1962.
According to the photo caption, he bus was operating in train connection service to Bakersfield.....
"NYO" |
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