BusTalk

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 2:49 pm Post subject: 'WELCOME JAMAICA BUSES # 556'

Pictured below, and courtesy of eBay, is fleet number 556 - a 1950 Mack Model C45-DT and one of ten (550 to 559) delivered to Jamaica Buses, Inc. of Baisley Park, New York in that year.

Jamaica, which was the successor to the Jamaica Central Railway Company with four traction lines in south central Queens extending into western Nassau, was devout Twin Coach before the war but switched to Mack thereafter.

The first order being for fifteen C45-GT's (400 to 414) delivered in 1947 followed by ten C45-DT's (500 to 509) in 1949 and, beyond the referenced 1950 order, the company did purchase ten used Mack's from a Florida operator sometime during the same period (they were easily identified by the blue transom lenses that were a common option in the sunbelt.

From parent company Green Bus Lines, Jamaica inherited a number of prewar Mack Model CT's during the mid fifties as well (a sample also pictured below)

Photos borrowed for educational purposes only.

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

HwyHaulier · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 932 Location: Harford County, MD

Mr. 'L' -

Maybe I've missed an episode or two here! <G> What's that (seems to read) #313 (lower view) coach? I think you have discussed
this model type before...

About the newer design C-45 (and "family) coaches: Maybe a short excursion into the world of "what if", conjecture and speculation?
Had MACK immediately post WWII, come to market with Diesel power plant, perhaps they would have held better share among fleets...

Alas, the late SF MUNI and Buffalo NFT "Last Stand" builds were very good product...

Compare, ACF-BRILL rather did suicide by gas motor, as fleets came to overwhelming preference for Diesel...

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

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 2:24 pm Post subject:

Vern,

The prewar Mack (fleet number 113) in the lower frame above was a 1937 Model 6CT-3S and one of thirty (101 to 130) originally purchased new by the Manhattan and Queens Bus Corporation whose sole route was the Q60 line (Manhattan to Jamaica via Queens Boulevard).

In 1943, Green Bus Lines acquired M & Q but continued to operate under the M & Q Flag until 1947 when the franchise was transferred.

Then, in the mid fifties, many of the 100's were given to both Jamaica and Triboro Coach which was also commonly owned.

All through the history of the 100's under three different flags the fleet numbers remained unchanged.

At the time of the M & Q purchase, Green Line was already running seventy Mack CT's in the 600 and 700 ser4ies - aside from the numbering, they were easily distinguishable from the M & Q's because they had sun visors over the winshields and the M & Q's did not (as noted in the frames of 115 and 717 below).

Number 717 image in true color owned by this writer.
Number 115 courtesy of Joe Scully.

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