BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

I know that the Scenicruiser-era on Greyhound lasted into the 70s, but am curious as to when the first retirements began. I have a video that features home movie footage of California buses from about 1950 to the early/mid-70s.

There is one sequence that looks to be filmed around 1972 or thereabouts (judging by the other vehicles on the highway) showing several Scenicruisers (and 4104s) obviously on a charter; the coaches are lettered for "PACIFIC CHARTER BUS COMPANY".

So, if this film footage is indeed about 1972 or thereabouts, it would obviously mean that Greyhound had already started to purge them from its roster. Appreciate any info you might have, thank you!

[Mr. Linsky]

NYO2629,

You're probably right in the ballpark with the time frame on the demise of Greyhound's Scenicruisers.

The mid to late sixties saw the 4104's and 4106's making a meaningful presence, and a close knit relationship budding between the company and Motor Coach Industries.

Out of the 1,000 PD 4501's built, only a handful were scrapped with most runners going to private charter companies.

However, as can be seen below, some found their way around the world in the most unsuspecting places.

Enjoy.

Mr. 'L'

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Mr. Linsky: Gonna have to start calling you "Miracle Man"(!!) A SCENICRUISER in KOREA?? Man, who woulda thought(!!) Greatly appreciate your info and input! As I stated in my original post, this film footage showed a charter operated by the PACIFIC CHARTER BUS COMPANY; this was obviously a BUSY charter, as several Scenicruisers and 4104s were doing the honors

. So.....if PACIFIC CHARTER purchased ex-Greyhound Scenicruisers, perhaps thier 4104s also came from Greyhound. Seems pretty plausible, IMHO. And, as I had also stated earlier, judging by the cars and trucks on the highways, it seemed a reasonable guess that footage was shot around 1972. Thanks again! John

[Mr. Linsky]

Here's an interesting and odd use for a second hand Scenicruiser!

Enjoy.

Mr. 'L'

[roymanning2000]

The retirement of the Scenicruisers, other than wrecks, began in 1968-1969 when MC7's started to be delivered in significant numbers. The very first sale of a Scenicruiser to an operator other than Greyhound occurred in 1969. The purchaser was Michaud Bus Lines of Salem, MA.

Roy

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Mr. Linsky: I came across that rare shot of a "Scenicruiser Car Carrier" awhile ago....knocked me for a loop, for sure!! Sure must have been one VERY interesting "charter" run..... Thanks for posting! John

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

See also: http://www.scenicruiser.com/ http://www.pacbus.org/pbmnews/news06.shtml

[HwyHaulier]

John - Roy - Mr "L" - Colleagues -

No, I am not going to go look it up, but... Perhaps the Scenicruisers subject to a Dept. of Treasury - IRS, Useful Life of fifteen (15) years
accepted in the Depreciation Schedules?

Greyhound, in the Bad, Old Days of strong cash flows, had amazing strength in its ability to finance First Line Of The Fleet vehicles. Also,
with the Scenicruisers, not to forget they didn't run like Swiss watches. The initial dual motors concept simply didn't work well. In turn,
it led to endless, and increasingly elevated, bickering between GL and GM (Jackson, and other sources.) Besides, GL was in to MCI,
anyway...

Compare, Continental Trailways got lucky with its Eagle plans...

..................Vern..............

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Enjoy this "Gallery Of Glory"!! http://www.scenicruiser.com/gallery.htm

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an interesting non-Greyhound Scenicruiser photo; note coach is lettered for "MICHAUD". Still a VERY spiffy and sporty-looking coach!! http://www.scenicruiser.com/images/redden/mic4501.jpg

[Dieseljim]

Does anyone have any rough idea of how many of these buses are still operational and on the road?

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[Mr. Linsky]

According to the Motor Bus Society's Directory of Preserved Coaches (dated October 1989) there were three listed 4501's as follows;

Greyhound Lines , Inc. of Dallas, TX (former Pennsylvania Greyhound fleet number P5446).

Ralph Cantos, Los Angeles (former Southwest Greyhound Lines Fleet number S 102) (Ralph, who was a friend of mine, sold all his buses to one of his colleagues some years ago).

Andy Henedrson of Weedsport, NY (for Atlantic Greyhound fleet number A2208) (Andy is a large collector of buses).

There was also a guy up in Fullerton, Ca. who used one for me in a commercial but I don't know what his story is now.

I would say that there may be as many as twenty five or more Scenicruisers that have been saved for posterity and that it's just a question of finding and cataloging them.

Mr. 'L'

[timecruncher]

A good friend of mine in Baltimore has one stored at MTA's Bush Street facility. Don't know if it is operational or not.

timecruncher