BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Back in the early 60s, I remember these classic coaches distinctly. Were these ever repainted into NYCTA two-tone green, or did they all wear thier original schemes until retirement? When did these buses last operate, and what routes were they last used on? If I'm not mistaken, I can remember them on the 42nd St. Crosstown line in the early 60s. Thank you for any info!

[Mr. Linsky]

NYO2629,

The only thing that I can tell you for sure is that once Fifth Avenue took over Surface in 1956, any new equipment delivered to Surface carried the green and cream livery of both Fifth Avenue and New York City Omnibus.

I have no memory of any 'Ride The Surface Way' Macks making it beyond the 1962 city takeover and, if they did, I doubt that they would have been repainted.

However, we have an expert on such matters at GMOldLookBus by the name of Vince who could give you the facts in a New York minute!

What I will do is pose the question for you and see what comes of it.

In the meantime, enjoy the rare photo below that originally appeared in the New York Journal American.

I believe it was taken on the 42nd. Street Crosstown route at Fifth Avenue (note the special Fifth Avenue bronze traffic signals).

Photo credit; eBay

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, NY

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Mr, Linksky: THANK YOU for posting that truly NOSTALGIC photo, as well as your info! Much appreciated! I think you are correct about none of the "Surface Way" Macks going beyond the 1962 City takeover; I was just a little kid back then, but I DO remember that I was quite young when I encountered them on family excursions in Manhattan. The NYCTA-purchased Macks, on the other hand, I remember lasting well into the late 60s; the last one I rode was on a Staten Island route out of St. Geoege, around 1968. I never knew about the historic Avenue B & East Broadway fleet until years after the company had become history itself! However, as so many local Jersey "indies" utilized Macks well into the 60s, I'm happy to say I have MANY memories of these solid, distinctive, wonderful old Macks!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Speaking of NYCTA Macks, how about this wonderful old street scene, dating ftom 1956? Sure makes you feel your age when you can remember such classic coaches in action! http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1782

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a couple of nostalgic views from the 50s, showing Surface Transit Macks in action! (Pelham Parkway & Bronx River Parkway) Where did all the years go?? http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1548 http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1549

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This pre-war "Surface" Mack looks a bit "battle scarred", but, surely, STILL got the job done! Macks, without a doubt, were built to "take a lickin', and keep on tickin'!!" http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1552

[Mr. Linsky]

NYO2629,

Nice Pictures!

Here's a few more to add to your collection.

Enjoy.

Images used for educational purposes only.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, NY

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Mr. Linsky: MANY thanks for those VERY nostalgic old Mack photos! Sure brings back a lot of great old memories!! I was VERY familiar with Macks in NJ, back in the 60s, and I can STILL hear thier snorts, growls, and hisses in my sleep!! Ahh, to go back in time, and savor the intoxicating aromas of a Mack hard at work in the summertime.....diesel fuel, hot oil, paint, leather seats......aaah, man!! I'm REALLY showing my age now!!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

LET THE NOSTALGIA ROLL!!!!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Roll on, sweet (Mack) nostalgia....... http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?7 http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?17

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Suburban Macks ALWAYS had that distinct "commanding" look about them, as is evident by this handsome Avenue B & E. Broadway coach!! MAGNIFICENT old bus!! And, to my knowledge, the ONLY Mack surburban still surviving (at least in preservation) is an ex-Bay Area (SF) Greyhound C49DM: http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?34

[Mr. Linsky]

NYC2629,

So you say you like New Jersey Mack's - no problemendo!

BTW; I agree with you because Mack buses were 'Built Like a Mack Truck'!

Also BTW; all of the photos that I have posted in this thread were each the centerpiece of an article in my 'Bus Nostalgia' series which may be found under 'Manufacturers' on this site (check the Bus Nostalgia Index in the same forum for descriptions and page numbers).

Enjoy.

All images used for educational purposes only.

Mr. 'L'

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Mr. Linsky: Please permit me to say one word: "WOW!!" JEEPERS CREEPERS, I CAN'T BELIEVE MY PEEPERS!! Those old buses are WAY beyond NOSTALGIC!!!!! The "CENTRAL AVENUE" Mack C-33 I WELL remember from my childhood days (its northern "CITY LINE" terminal was only several blocks south of where I grew up!!

I've already seen the pic, though, in my copy of "MACK BUSES 1900-1960 PHOTO ARCHIVE; the prewar "WASHINGTON STREET" bus simply BOGGLED MY MIND!!! I REMEMBER THAT SAME BUS, and also remember RIDING it!!!!

I recall VERY well that, back in the 60s, the Washington St. Line (defunct for a number of years now) was a virtual "Living Bus Museum", operating second and third-hand coaches from various properties!!

It's been about 44 years (at least!) since I've last seen that ancient Mack!!! The coaches in the other pics really took my breath away!!!

Man, if we could ONLY go back in time...I am SO tired of bland, white shoe boxes on rubber tires, masquerading as buses!! I REALLY miss the beloved old relics of my kid days!! Again, my friend, THANK YOU!!!!! You've brought back some really HAPPY memories for me!!!!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a scene that is straight from my memory bank!! Journal Square (Jersey City, NJ) in early 1964, with three vintage North Hudson Boulevard buses awaiting departure time! These buses ran RIGHT BY our old Union City apartment building when I was growing up, and it was these humble vehicles that got me hooked on buses (and public transit in general) at age of ONE!!

This beautiful, nostalgic shot clearly recalls the colorful diversity of the NHBL fleet that I knew and loved so well! Here we see a Mack in the company of a White 1144 (company also rostered 798's), and an Old Look (seen at rear). I cannot tell you how many times Mom and I boarded the #1 local here for home, back in the 60s!

Note the "5" card in the windshield of the White. That signified that the bus was operating on the JSQ-PABT #5, which also ran right by our house, and, also, was a line we rode countless times when I was growing up.

Sadly, it was only a few more years before both the Macks and the Whites were removed from the NHBL roster, and most of the Old Looks were purged by the mid-later 70s, save for the very few that lasted into the 80s. Every time I look at this wonderful old picture, I truly feel as though I've gone home again!! http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?650

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

B-139......the ONLY surviving NHBL Mack; and, quite possibly, the ONLY NHBL bus of ANY type still in existence today. After one suffered an engine fire on 15th St. and the Boulevard around 1968 ( I personally recall seeing this), I never saw Macks operate on the "Boulvard Route" again.

By this time, Fishbowls had already made inroads into the NHBL fleet, causing the venerable Whites and the oldest of the Old Looks to be retired.

Wonder how many times I watched this ancient relic rumbling by our old apartment building....and wonder how many times Mom and I rode it, so long ago..... http://www.njthc.org/collection/iboab139.html