BusTalk

shortlineMCI · Age: 56 Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 241

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Metro_Transit_708.jpg

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 1:25 am Post subject:

Ken,

Funny thing that you should ask! - I have been planning to do an essay on GM's attempts at articulation.

Here's a preview;

Pictured below is fleet number 900 - a 1982 GM demonstrator designated as a Model # TA60-102N and operating for the Winnipeg Transit System of Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada.

Notice that while the front clip is 'Classic' in design, the rest of the bus is made up of 'New Look' body parts.

This was GM's first version of an artic.

More information will be found shortly in 'Bus Nostalgia'

Photo by Dennis Cavanagh

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

Hart Bus · Age: 75 Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 1150

To my good friend WCA and all other posters-

Check out this link to Mike Gallant's website showing 2 MCI Classic articulateds, which look like kit-bashed Fishbowls with a MCI Classic stuck on the front.

Notice the long forgotten K-Mart clone in the background of the second classic

http://web.utk.edu/~gallant/transitbuses.html

ECA

Dieseljim · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 5:40 pm Post subject: Classic Artics

I believe Toronto Transit Commission bought a dozen of these buses and Hamilton Street Railway bought some, too. I wonder if any of them are still in service. Pretty neat bus.

shortlineMCI · Age: 56 Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 241

Dieseljim · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:45 pm Post subject: Classic Artics

Toronto got the last 12 of these to be built and nearby Hamilton got several of these buses as well. Whether any of them on either property are still in service, I sure would like to know. I bet these were better built than some of the artics available today.

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

Mr 'L' -

In your GMC - T&C study: You see no late 1930s efforts at an articulated? Twin Coach had the circa 1939 gas/ electric, articulateds in its catalog.
Baltimore Transit Co. had one.

Makes we wonder whether GMC mounted a competitive product offering?

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

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 3:55 pm Post subject:

H. H.,

To my knowledge, GM never dabbled in artics before the combo Classic/New Look pictured above (however, it is probable that they toyed with the idea and might even have done something in clay early on).

Additionally, the old 35 foot law in so many states would have discouraged any serious attempt.

Henry J. Kaiser did experiment with Trailways and came up with the prototype seen below around 1946 but it never really got off the ground.

This version was interesting because the underfloor 'pancake' engine was located in the forward section and the rear wheels of the rear section were turnable.

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

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

Mr 'L' -

Note the Kaiser coach was in markings of heavy money member, Santa Fe Trails. Hardly a surprise, as the line had a brief fling
with the Sleeper Coach concept, IIRC...

Possible GM early artics? If it happened at all, I'd place my bets on Fifth Avenue Coach or PSNJ. As you stated, it carries with it
an implicit proposition an operator would needed a strong understanding with its State highway regulators. (With finagling,
it could be deemed a tractor- trailer (moral) equivalent, and therefore... Run around subject a special permit.)

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

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:09 am Post subject:

H. H.,

Happened to be thumbing through some eBay sites and came up with this interesting news release concerning the introduction of a GM artic in RTS theme.

I seem to remember seeing a reference to this once before but I don't believe that they ever took it further than a prototype (although I could be mistaken).

Sorry about the quality of the photo.

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

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:40 am Post subject:

Here's a little more information and a better photo.

This is an original image of the first 60' RTS Articulated Series 04 bus and one of only two ever built. The photo was taken at Truck and Coach in Pontiac, Michigan

The airbrushing out of most of the background was done for brochure presentations.

It is doubtful that either of the two prototypes produced still exist because it was GM's habit to destroy all failed concepts.

Photo credit; GM Photographic, collection of Evan T. McCausland.

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

MOVIEBUSES · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:18 am Post subject: GM ARTIC 5034

Hey Mr. Linsky,
I have a GM artic in my fleet that was original to OCT as thier 8208 and then it went to Mississauga Transit as thier 5034. This is the ONLY GM artic that has ever been in the USA and is still used for shuttles and movie work.
I dont know how to pst here but there is many pictures of it on my website. Check out the "transit buses" section and also the photo gallery for hundreds of shots of this bus.
www.rts-regionaltransitservice.com

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

MOVIEBUSES -

Are you the gentleman who has the snappy and beautiful Greyhound, Yellow 743 with appearances early in Codetalkers?

Who has the occasionally seen White 788 and 798 coaches?

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

ripta42 · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 3:53 pm Post subject:

GM Artic 5034

shortlineMCI · Age: 56 Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 241

There's something weirdly nice about that Mike.