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Hart Bus
Age: 74
Joined: 24 Apr 2007
Posts: 1150
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 Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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Many years ago, a bus fan by the name of Sol Zeller (I think he lived in Westchester County) who would post under the name King Solomon once posted a funny/tragic story about a Beck Scenicruiser. It seems that this particular vehicle was purchased used by someone who went into business for himself. One day while oh a charter, the bus pulls into a rest stop. He tells the gas jockey to fill it up and will settle up when he is done with his meal.
What the jockey didn't realize that the bus was not a GMC and the fuel pipe was in a different place. The pipe to empty the bathroom on a Beck was in the spot where the filler pipe for the fuel was. The jockey starts pumping while at the same time, someone was on "the throne". The passenger gets up and throws a lighted cigar down the latrine. The bus was incinerated in minutes. Roasted Chestnuts anyone ?[/img] |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 22617
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 8:37 pm Post subject: |
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Hart Bus:
A wise man once said:
".....truth is stranger than fiction....." 
'nuff said! 
Wonder if the unfortunate fellow using the restroom at the moment of doom got any $$$$ back from the company for damage to his "luggage".... 
One can only imagine the "True Tales Of The Open Road" that the "old timer" drivers once shared with thier cohorts........
"NYO" |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 22617
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 8:58 pm Post subject: |
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A rare "action" view of a BECK "Scenicruiser" (QUEEN CITY TRAILWAYS"); it is easy to see, how, to those not familiar with BECK coaches of this type, they could easily mistake this bus for a "Scenicruiser".
Though there are, of course, telltale details that we bus enthusiasts can spot right off the bat, the "Scenicruiser" aura is distinct and strong.
Note, too, the classic 1950's autos and the old Yankee Stadium, seen in the distance......
http://joycewiggins.tripod.com/photo/928.jpg
(courtesy of Trailways Forever Memories)
Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Sat Apr 12, 2014 10:15 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 22617
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 10:09 pm Post subject: |
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Another highway coach of the 1950's that should be mentioned in this discussion is the oft-forgotten Flxible "VISTA LINER".
To me, it was basically a "shorty" Scenicruiser, but with only two axles and a more angular body.
CONTINENTAL TRAILWAYS purchased 126 of the 208 built.
Scroll down to the 7th photo in this page, which features some truly magnificent highway coaches of the 1950's........
http://www.billvons.com/bus/buspage50.htm
(courtesy of The 1950's Bus Page) |
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roymanning2000
Age: 75
Joined: 01 Aug 2007
Posts: 198
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 6:28 pm Post subject: |
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Sol Zeller still posts to various Facebook bus groups. Some years ago, he posted to a number of the Yahoo bus groups. He had/has some great stories about the bus business.
Roy |
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traildriver
Joined: 26 Mar 2011
Posts: 2459
Location: South Florida
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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| NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote: | All:
Did a little searching, and came across the photo I was referring to in my previous post; here we see the unique deck-and-a-half ACF-BRILL originally operated by CONTINENTAL TRAILWAYS, now operating for "PENN-JERSEY COACHWAYS" as a "GOLDEN CRUISER".
Too bad this unique bus wasn't preserved.....
http://joycewiggins.tripod.com/photo/982.jpg
(courtesy Trailways Forever Memories) |
I believe I mentioned in another thread, quite some time ago, that I had the opportunity to take that one-of-a-kind coach for a 'test-drive', back in the mid 1970's....it was for sale by it's owner, and I was working for Continental Trailways at that time in Denver...
It was located on a farm in a suburb of Wichita. I was very impressed with it, and was seriously considering purchasing the rare and historic vehicle. I went back to Denver, and discussed it with one of our senior master mechanic's, who was experienced with ACF-Brills, and their Hall-Scott 'pancake' engines. He strongly voiced his opinion that I would be making a serious mistake in purchasing it, mainly due to lack of readily available parts. I followed his wise advice, and passed on the deal, which really was very reasonable.... |
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traildriver
Joined: 26 Mar 2011
Posts: 2459
Location: South Florida
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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| NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote: | A rare "action" view of a BECK "Scenicruiser" (QUEEN CITY TRAILWAYS"); it is easy to see, how, to those not familiar with BECK coaches of this type, they could easily mistake this bus for a "Scenicruiser".
Though there are, of course, telltale details that we bus enthusiasts can spot right off the bat, the "Scenicruiser" aura is distinct and strong.
Note, too, the classic 1950's autos and the old Yankee Stadium, seen in the distance......
http://joycewiggins.tripod.com/photo/928.jpg
(courtesy of Trailways Forever Memories) |
Those latest model Beck deck-and-half's were the closest anyone came to copying the Raymond Loewy styled Scenicruiser's.....so close, in fact, that I wonder if GL and/or GM might have brought some intellectual property litigation against Beck. If you recall, when the Scenicruiser's received their new paint scheme in the early '60's, after their rebuild by Marmon-Herrington with the 8v-71 Detroit replacing the twin 4's, there was a prominent circled R 'registered' mark on each corner of the forward upper deck. Not sure if that was to protect the design or what..... |
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traildriver
Joined: 26 Mar 2011
Posts: 2459
Location: South Florida
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Jimbo wrote: | | Cut and paste the links in question. They opened for me. Great photos! |
That did the trick, thanks, Jimbo!
I had to do that for some, but not all of the other links provided by NYO on this thread...don't know why some work, while others require the extra step..... |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 22617
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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| traildriver wrote: | | NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote: | A rare "action" view of a BECK "Scenicruiser" (QUEEN CITY TRAILWAYS"); it is easy to see, how, to those not familiar with BECK coaches of this type, they could easily mistake this bus for a "Scenicruiser".
Though there are, of course, telltale details that we bus enthusiasts can spot right off the bat, the "Scenicruiser" aura is distinct and strong.
Note, too, the classic 1950's autos and the old Yankee Stadium, seen in the distance......
http://joycewiggins.tripod.com/photo/928.jpg
(courtesy of Trailways Forever Memories) |
Those latest model Beck deck-and-half's were the closest anyone came to copying the Raymond Loewy styled Scenicruiser's.....so close, in fact, that I wonder if GL and/or GM might have brought some intellectual property litigation against Beck. If you recall, when the Scenicruiser's received their new paint scheme in the early '60's, after their rebuild by Marmon-Herrington with the 8v-71 Detroit replacing the twin 4's, there was a prominent circled R 'registered' mark on each corner of the forward upper deck. Not sure if that was to protect the design or what..... |
traildriver:
Agreed!
That particular BECK was as close to a GM Scenicruiser as anyone was going to get; again, to the uninitiated, you'd have a hard time convincing them that what they were seeing was NOT a "genuine" Scenicruiser!
Regarding the Scenicruisers rebuilding and repainting in the early 60's, this was even reflected in the tin Japanese toy versions at that time.
I have three (in different sizes) that sport "SUPER SCENICRUISER" lettering, that date to the early 60's.
The new bold lettering was quite distinctive from the original lettering from the 1950's.......still handsome, nonetheless!
"NYO" |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 22617
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 7:35 pm Post subject: |
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| traildriver wrote: | | NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote: | All:
Did a little searching, and came across the photo I was referring to in my previous post; here we see the unique deck-and-a-half ACF-BRILL originally operated by CONTINENTAL TRAILWAYS, now operating for "PENN-JERSEY COACHWAYS" as a "GOLDEN CRUISER".
Too bad this unique bus wasn't preserved.....
http://joycewiggins.tripod.com/photo/982.jpg
(courtesy Trailways Forever Memories) |
I believe I mentioned in another thread, quite some time ago, that I had the opportunity to take that one-of-a-kind coach for a 'test-drive', back in the mid 1970's....it was for sale by it's owner, and I was working for Continental Trailways at that time in Denver...
It was located on a farm in a suburb of Wichita. I was very impressed with it, and was seriously considering purchasing the rare and historic vehicle. I went back to Denver, and discussed it with one of our senior master mechanic's, who was experienced with ACF-Brills, and their Hall-Scott 'pancake' engines. He strongly voiced his opinion that I would be making a serious mistake in purchasing it, mainly due to lack of readily available parts. I followed his wise advice, and passed on the deal, which really was very reasonable.... |
traildriver:
A most interesting little "slice of life".....thanks for sharing!
The only problem is......do I laugh......or cry?? 
Man, I'd go in hock to buy that magnificent piece of bus history and then find a safe location to store it........aaahhh, perchance to dream1
Just imagine that stunning coach at a museum today........
"NYO" |
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traildriver
Joined: 26 Mar 2011
Posts: 2459
Location: South Florida
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 7:54 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, in looking back from this far away, I regret not having closed that deal, but it probably would have been a struggle for me at that time to support that probable 'money-pit'....
Just another of those interesting 'one-off's'. Another famous one that comes to mind was the PD-4901 'Golden Chariot', first tested by Pennsylvania Greyhound Lines. It also had a colorful history....IIRC, it is still around..... |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 22617
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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Fellows:
Just came across this; thought it would be of interest:
"How A Greyhound Scenicruiser Became A Trailways Scenicruiser For A Movie"........
"NYO"
http://cw42.tripod.com/chapter.html
(courtesy of Don's Greyhound Bus Memories) |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 22617
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 9:41 pm Post subject: |
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Here's a 1950's add for the VISTA-LINER; again, SCENICRUISER influence is obvious, albiet on a much more subtle level than the BECK......
http://www.angelfire.com/al4/buscatal/photo/700.jpg
(*note this is an "angelfire" link) |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 22617
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 9:58 pm Post subject: |
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traildriver:
Earlier, you mentioned the "Golden Chariot"; here are links to several pages for a GC promotional brochure.
As is obvious, it is basically a "stretch" version of the 4104; like the SCENICRUISER, it was equipped with dual rear axles.
Oddly enough, a number of Japanese tin litho toy buses (in two sizes) were offered in the late 50's, and early 60's, which were clearly "knock offs" of this unique coach.
The versions I have are for GREYHOUND, TRAILWAYS, US ARMY, US NAVY, and even a school bus version.
Front-end treatment, oddly enough, more resembles that of an AEROCOACH......
http://joycewiggins.tripod.com/photo/930.jpg
http://joycewiggins.tripod.com/photo/931.jpg
http://joycewiggins.tripod.com/photo/932.jpg
http://joycewiggins.tripod.com/photo/933.jpg
(courtesy of Trailways Forever Memories) |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 22617
Location: NEW JOISEY
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