BusTalk

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Check out these classic highway coaches from 1992's "A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN"..........

www.imcdb.org/vehicle_6581-TMC-MC-9-1982.html

www.imcdb.org/vehicle_6580-GMC-PD-3751-1947.html

["GREYHOUND"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

And, from the same film, we see here a RARE customized "AEROCOACH"...........

www.imcdb.org/vehicle_315625-Aerocoach-Mastercraft-P-46.html

Further:

In the 1940s, a number of GREYHOUND divisions and TRAILWAYS affiliates operated the distinctive owl-eyed "AEROCOACH" in the 1940s and 1950s.

BURLINGTON TRAILWAYS alone purchased more than 100 AEROCOACHES between 1946 and 1948.

The very last AREOCOACHES for a TRAILWAYS company were the distinctive and especially-sleek Model 372s; these handsome buses (clad with "silversides") went on to operate for "DE LUXE TRAILWAYS" of Chicago.

"NYO"

["AEROCOACH"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Personal note:

Back in the early/mid-1960s, I can still recall seeing AEROCOACHES (in charter service) every so often; these were buses I found QUITE impressive and distinctive, at a very tender age............

["CHARTERED"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Just was thinking..........

When GREYHOUND took over TRAILWAYS, and the ex-TRAILWAYS Eagle coaches became part of the Hound's sizeable "kennel", I wonder what GREYHOUND drivers felt about driving an EAGLE, instead of the usual MCI?

Did the drivers find both buses good performers, or did they more or less favor one or the other? (did bias enter the picture?)

"NYO"

["GO BIG RED"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Further:

From what I have read, GREYHOUND shed no tears when the EAGLES left their MCI-dominated "kennel"...............

"NYO"

["EXPRESS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

GM and GREYHOUND............

Beginning with the "SCENICRUISERS" and 4104s, GM-built buses more and more dominated the GREYHOUND fleet (older non-GM coaches, such as ACF-BRILL, FLXIBLE, etc. became more and more minorities in the fleet, until they were finally retired.

Then, coming full circle, as the 1960's eased into the 1970s, it now was the GM-built buses which were becoming more and more of a minority in the fleet, as moree and more MCIs made inroads in the Hound's "kennel".

Coming full circle, indeed...........

"NYO"

["SECOND SECTION"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

MCI life expectancy..........

I've been wondering about the average life expectancy of an MCI in intercity service (thinking GREYHOUND, here)

I know that NJT is currently on their third generation of MCIs (I recall the earliest first appearing in my area in the later 1980s)

All in all, the "classic era" MCI was obviously a solid and reliable coach; look at how many have run in commuter services...........

"NYO"

["MCI"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Further..................

I was always particularly fond of the older MCIs that "RED & TAN" and "SUBURBAN" once rostered; the old company colors indeed looked quite nice on these big coaches.....

"NYO"

["EXPRESS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also............

If the MCI (regardless of model) never achieved the iconic status of the "SCENICRUISER", it indeed became the solid backbone of the fleet.

The earliest models, such as the MC-5, MC-6 (only 100 of this model were built), and the MC-7, indeed had a tough, brutish, "road warrior" appearance to them, a toughness that made it clear to all that these big bruisers were NOT to be trifled with!

The PREVOST "Champions" of the mid-later 1960s also featured the same "rugged", "no nonsense" look that was so much a part of the early MC! coaches.............

"NYO"

["CHICAGO"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Just thinking.........

IMHO, the GM "Buffalo" was a "significantly historic" bus in the GREYHOUND fleet, as these were the very last GM-built coaches purchased by the company.

As I've said in the past, the "Buffalo", like the earlier 4104 and 4106 was a most versatile bus indeed, being equally "at home" in both suburban commuter and long-haul services.

Too, as I have also stated in other areas, the 4106 (always one of my favorites!) was basically an updated 4104, sporting a more angular design.

Ahhhh, those were REAL buses, for sure!

"NYO"

["EXPRESS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Talk about RARE photos...........

Though I've read of the illuminated "pup plates" that originally decorated the noses of the SCENICRUISERS, I still (to date) have not seen even ONE photo depicting these "pup plates" illuminated at night.

Indeed, they had to have had added a touch of "style" to these already-graceful and classy-lookingbuses.........

"NYO"

["CHICAGO"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Just thinking about GREYHOUND "veterans"..........

I often wonder how many of the drivers who drove the Fishbowls at the '64/'65 World's Fair are still alive today (the youngest would have to be well into their 80s and 90s).

Too, wonder if any of the GREYHOUND Fishbowls that served the Fair are still with us today (hope at least one survived the torch)

How bright the future was for GREYHOUND, back in the gala days of the Fair.............

"NYO"

["SIGHTSEEING"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Ahhh, the long-gone days of GM dominance, and when GREYHOUND was STILL the "King Of The Road"...............

(San Francisco, 1972)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156905

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["IT'S SUCH A COMFORT TO TAKE THE BUS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Was VERY lucky to come across this RARE (and nostalgic!) panoramic view of the area of Court House Square/45th Road in Queens; note the SCENICRUISER which might have been deadheading from the garage to the "Port-of-Authority" for its next run........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?45859

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["NO PASSENGERS"]