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'THE BUSES OF BEE LINE - LONG ISLAND'
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Mr. Linsky
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Joined: 16 Apr 2007
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Location: BRENTWOOD, CA. - WOODMERE, N.Y.

PostPosted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Seen in pose sometime in the 1920's is fleet #26 - a 1923 'Ace' model unknown operating for Bee Line, Incorporated of Rockville Centre, New York.

#26, which may have been built by the American Motor Bus Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Ill. that used the Ace chassis exclusively, could well have been among the very first buses to carry the Bee Line flag.

Between the mid twenties and mid thirties, Bee Line was the largest transit and charter operator on Long Island and a major player radiating from its Jamaica hub.

Unfortunately, all of the company's Queens operations were lost to North Shore Bus Company about 1935 due to labor problems, dilapidated equipment and hundreds of thousands owed to New York City in franchise taxes.

#26 is signed for the Rosedale Route through Hollis and St. Albans.

Photo courtesy of dfwu and is up for bid on eBay as item # 320888498181.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, New York

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Mr. Linsky
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Joined: 16 Apr 2007
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Location: BRENTWOOD, CA. - WOODMERE, N.Y.

PostPosted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 2:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Normally, I would have put the following presentation in the 'Vintage New York City' thread but I felt it more appropriate to record its memory here.

Seen along Hillside Avenue in Jamaica, Queens on June 18th. 1952 is fleet # 411 - a 1947 GM Coach Model TDH 3610 and one of fifteen likenesses numbered from 400 to 414 delivered to Bee Line, Inc. of Rockville Centre, Long Island in January of that year.

# 411 is signed for Grant Park in Hewlett and would usually have made the run from the 165th. Bus Terminal but, because this was the second day of an engineers walkout on the Long Island Rail Road, Bee Line was given permission to pick up passengers at Hillside Avenue for the duration of the strike.

Bee Line, one of the oldest private bus companies in the metropolitan area, was a devout fan of ACF equipment with only a smattering of Whites before the war with the 3610's being their first foray into GM territory thereafter.

Of note in the background is a New York City Transit System TDH 5101 readying to queue up to haul another rush hour load at back to the Nassau County line.

Also of note (personally) is the Constantine Restaurant sign in the very upper left hand corner of the frame which was a favorite eatery for my family.

Photo courtesy of the New York Bureau of the Chicago Tribune and is up for sale as a 'Buy It Now' through tribunephotos as item # 261054241734.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, New York

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Mr. Linsky
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Joined: 16 Apr 2007
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Location: BRENTWOOD, CA. - WOODMERE, N.Y.

PostPosted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 4:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would have to say that when Webster's Dictionary coined the word 'bus' in their all encompassing book of definitions, they most certainly would have borrowed a copy of the photo below as an illustration had it existed at the time!

Seen in all of its glory in what I believe to be a factory shot is fleet # 537 - a 1953 GM Coach Model TDH-4509 and one of ten likenesses numbered from 530 to 539 delivered to Bee Line, Inc., of Rockville Centre, New York in April of that year.

The later phase 4509's were upgraded to the extent that even an expert could not differentiate them from their 4512 successors outwardly and only inwardly after feeling the smoothness of the latter's addition of Air Suspension Ride.

Photo in the form of a Bee Line post card courtesy of mikeingreensboro and is available as 'buy it now' on eBay as item # 360477265824.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, New York

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Ned




Joined: 13 Aug 2012
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 4:35 pm    Post subject: Location of photo of Bee Line Mack Reply with quote

After looking a couple of times at the photo of the Bee Line Mack in front of the NYCTA bus, the location finally hit me. Very Happy It is the Jamaica Bus Terminal. Behind the buses is Merrick Blvd; 89th Avenue is to the left. The apartment building across from the stores is still there today, but the row of stores is long gone. Some time around 1960, give or take a year or so, there was a big fire one night that took out the whole row of stores at Merrick & 89th. They were torn down and ultimately the new main branch of the Queens Public Library was built on that spot.

Ned S.
Jamaica resident, long ago
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Mr. Linsky
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 2:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Seen sometime in October of 1971 at its yard in Rockville Centre, New York, is fleet # 600 - a 1957 GM Coach Model TDH 5106 and one of twenty likenesses numbered 600 to 619 delivered in increments between 1957 and 1959 to Bee Line, Inc.

# 600 through 609 were the company's first order of 5106's and arrived all gussied up in a special livery, passenger safety split sashes and a touch of silver sides under the window belt which made them rather classy looking but a little too expensive because the following groups appeared much more austere.

An oddity of note is the destination sign glass divider (a throw back to early forties Old Looks) and definitely a product of the company's own shops as evidenced by the fact that the division seal is off center.

It was only about two years after this photo was taken that Bee Line along with a number of other Nassau County based private operators were absorbed into the then newly formed Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority (MSBA).

Photo courtesy of VintageVault75 and is up for bid on eBay as item #170912427216.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, New York



Last edited by Mr. Linsky on Sat Oct 19, 2013 1:51 am; edited 1 time in total
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Mr. Linsky
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Location: BRENTWOOD, CA. - WOODMERE, N.Y.

PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 4:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Photographed in December of 1972 at the company's yard in Rockville Centre, New York are fleet #'s 620 and 624 - both 1959 Mack Model C-49-DT's and two of five likenesses numbered 620 to 624 delivered to Bee Line, Incorporated in July of that year.

While 620 and 624 are shown stripped of their destination signs and at least one windshield wiper blade, they are by no means awaiting a date with the crusher.

To the contrary, the company was very successful at selling off its unwanted equipment by virtue of the fact that they were maintained so well through their lifetimes - so it's probable that these buses are merely waiting for pickup by new owners.

Most notable on both coaches are what Mack termed as 'New Look' front ends which were designed by Niagara Frontier Transit System and licensed for use by Mack.

Also seen, and extremely rare on Mack transits, are passenger safety split sashes.

Photo courtesy of 'ttcbeat' and is up for bid on eBay as item # 400339160164.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, New York

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S-60 To Smith Haven Mall




Joined: 29 Nov 2007
Posts: 1757
Location: Suffolk County, NY

PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 6:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mr. Linsky wrote:
Photographed in December of 1972 at the company's yard in Rockville Centre, New York are fleet #'s 620 and 624 - both 1959 Mack Model C-49-DT's and two of five likenesses numbered 620 to 624 delivered to Bee Line, Incorporated in July of that year.

While 620 and 624 are shown stripped of their destination signs and at least one windshield wiper blade, they are by no means awaiting a date with the crusher.

To the contrary, the company was very successful at selling off its unwanted equipment by virtue of the fact that they were maintained so well through their lifetimes - so it's probable that these buses are merely waiting for pickup by new owners.

Most notable on both coaches are what Mack termed as 'New Look' front ends which were designed by Niagara Frontier Transit System and licensed for use by Mack.

Also seen, and extremely rare on Mack transits, are passenger safety split sashes.

Photo courtesy of 'ttcbeat' and is up for bid on eBay as item # 400339160164.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, New York



#620 has the same A&S Sign that from the few photos I've seen that buses from Babylon Transit and ICMC had around that time.
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Mr. Linsky
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee



Joined: 16 Apr 2007
Posts: 5071
Location: BRENTWOOD, CA. - WOODMERE, N.Y.

PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 2:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

S-60 To Smith Haven Mall,

I can't be sure as to the location and can only go by what caption that accompanied the photo - but the point is almost mute when compared to the more important facts in the article.

Thanks and regards,

Mr. 'L'
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N4 Jamaica




Joined: 16 Apr 2007
Posts: 858
Location: Long Island

PostPosted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 2:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A few days ago, I wrote a reply, then trashed it. My reply concerned the placard, "Bus to A & S Babylon." Now I realize that someone may have been playing around with the advertising cards, as the buses were already somewhat stripped. The placard may have come from a different bus or a different company, as Bee Line went past A & S in Hempstead, but (I'm quite sure) only Utility and a local operator (Intercounty?) in 1972 passed the Great South Bay Shopping Center on Merrick Road, West Babylon, where A & S may have existed briefly. In fact, various histories of Abraham and Straus on the internet omit mention of the Babylon store.
----
The interest is the Mack, not the placard. Many thanks for posting the photo.
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Mr. Linsky
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Joined: 16 Apr 2007
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Location: BRENTWOOD, CA. - WOODMERE, N.Y.

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 5:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

S-60 To Smith Haven Mall, take note;

Seen sometime in the late forties at what may be a Long Island Railroad Station in Nassau County is fleet # 238 - a 1941 ACF Model 36S operating for Bee Line, Inc. of Rockville Centre, New York.

Powered by an amidships underfloor model 135 Hall-Scott 477 cubic inch, 139 horsepower gasoline engine, the 36 passenger (38 without rear door) 36-S was a good runner but fared poorly in competition against both Yellow and Mack models of the same capacity with rear engined design and only 551 were built between 1938 and 1942.

Of note on # 238 is the motor housing on the forward end of the roof for the New York State required full time mechanical ventilation system which was not under driver control.

Also curious is the Bee Line flag in which there is no separation between the two words - something I have never seen before on any of that company's equipment.

Photo courtesy of 'Vintage-Vault75' and is up for bid on eBay as item # 181059588383.

Mr. Linsky - [b]Green Bus Lines, Inc., [/b] Jamaica, New York

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Mr. Linsky
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Location: BRENTWOOD, CA. - WOODMERE, N.Y.

PostPosted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 5:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

S-60 To Smith Haven Mall; take note

While the attachment is a 'double-header', our focus is fleet # 303 to the right of the frame - a 1944 White Motor Company Model 798 and one of at least twenty-five likenesses numbered in the lower 300's operating for Bee Line, Incorporated of Rockville Centre, New York.

One of White's most popular models and the largest transit in their catalog at the time, the 35 foot long 44 passenger 798 gained its power from an underfloor amidships 681 cubic inch V-12 gasoline engine and nearly 3300 were manufactured between 1940 and 1948.

Built under the authorization of the U.S. War Production Board (WPB), #303 and its siblings were delivered in a basic ODT gray and white livery with ribbed body panels to strengthen thin steel elements that replaced aluminum during the war.

Of note is the well camouflaged air intake in the form of a bead over the destination sign to feed the New York mandated full time mechanical ventilation system.

#303 is seen on layover at the 165th. Street bus terminal in Jamaica, New York in mid winter 1948.

Also seen just pulling in is one of nearly 200 1948 GM Coach Model TDH 4507's operating for the recently formed Queens Bus Division of the then New York City Transit System to replace the failed North Shore Bus Company of Flushing.

Photo courtesy of 'Vintage-Vault75' and is up for auction on eBay as item # 181084394511.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, New York

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Mr. Linsky
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 4:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Seen at an unknown location and date is fleet # 410 - a 1947 GM Coach Model TDH 3610 and one of fifteen likenesses numbered from 400 to 414 delivered to Bee Line, Inc. of Rockville Centre, New York in January of that year.

While the company, which had its beginnings in the 1920's, favored ACF equipment and some Whites before the war, the post war TDH 3610's were their first foray into GM products.

One order for twenty C-45-DT Macks followed but all subsequent purchases went to GM.

Bee Line and its affiliates were absorbed into the Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority (MSBA) in 1973.

Photo courtesy of 'Vintage-Vault75' and is up for adoption on eBay as item # 171022975141.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, New York

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Mr. Linsky
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Location: BRENTWOOD, CA. - WOODMERE, N.Y.

PostPosted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 2:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Seen sometime in 1945 and leaving the Long Beach (NY) Long Island Railroad Station probably for Rockville Centre is fleet #268 - a 1938 International Model 'D' special school bus chassis supporting a 25 passenger body of unknown origin.

#268 was a stranger to the Bee Line stable which, in the era, was filled with parlor and transit coaches mostly of ACF manufacture and, while #268 carried a school bus body, it was sans the required red roof flashers and clips for 'school bus' signs.

The station, as shown in the photo, was still original and before an ugly arcade of stores at its front besmirched its early 1900's charm - fortunately a recent restoration eliminated that blight.

Of note at the rear of the depot are 1920's L.I.R.R. MU cars awaiting their next trips to the city.

Photo courtesy of 'Vintage-Vault75' and is available at eBay as item # 181187957589.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, New York

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Mr. Linsky
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Joined: 16 Apr 2007
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Location: BRENTWOOD, CA. - WOODMERE, N.Y.

PostPosted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 4:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Seen heading westbound along Merrick Road in Lynbrook, Long Island sometime in 1951 is fleet # 400 - a 1947 36 passenger GM Coach Model TDH 3610 and one of fifteen likenesses numbered from 400 to 414 delivered to Bee Line, Inc. of Rockville Centre, New York in January of that year.

The versatile TDH 3610, every bit a heavy duty model with the same attributes as its larger capacity cousins, was very popular in its day with almost 1800 built between 1946 and 1948 and was succeeded one year later by the newly designed 'paired window' TDH 3612 (there was no 3611).

#400 is not dressed in Bee Line's traditional colors which would lead one to believe it and its siblings may have been diverted in production and taken as was - all of the company's 3610's did receive its well recognized white over deep red livery in 1952 (note that their is a Bee Line pre war White painted similarly toward the beginning of this page which I can't explain).

Of note on the lighting pole just ahead of our focus are the then familiar triangular directional signs for the Triboro and Whitestone Bridges with their arrows pointing west.

Photo courtesy of 'Vintage-Vault75' and is available at eBay as item # 181231617313.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, New York

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Mr. Linsky
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Joined: 16 Apr 2007
Posts: 5071
Location: BRENTWOOD, CA. - WOODMERE, N.Y.

PostPosted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 3:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

While the unusual vehicle seen sometime in the forties at its company facility in Rockville Centre, New York appears to be a truck, it actually began life as a bus in 1930 operating for Bee Line, Inc. of the mentioned Nassau County village on Long Island.

Customized by Bee Line's adept body shop artisans, #6, as it was re-dubbed, was cut-down from an ACF Model S-85-2-001 (a prototype coach that never made it into full production) to become a road service and maintenance vehicle (not an uncommon practice among operators in the pre war era).

Of note on #6 is its snow removal rigging and a huge plow blade that appears to be heavy enough to outweigh the truck itself!

As a side note, the Ford Model 29B standing behind #6 seems to have a makeshift destination sign with the word 'HEMPSTEAD' divided between two separate scrolls.

Photo courtesy of 'Vintage-Vault75' and is available at eBay as item # 171248402602.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, New York



Last edited by Mr. Linsky on Mon Feb 24, 2014 4:58 pm; edited 1 time in total
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