BusTalk

[Q65A]

Turbines have always been waiting in the wings, but usually were never ready for "prime time". A very good recent example of this is the DesignLine Hybrid, tested extensively by NYCT without success.

[HwyHaulier]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

All:

I simply HAD to post the link for this photo here.....a "conventional" GM transit coach of the 1950's, but one that indeed give the impression of at least being "jet" powered.......<G>

NYO

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3020

[traildriver]

I've always been a turbine power 'junkie'. I rode aboard the inaugural trip of Continental Trailways (American Buslines) Silver Eagle 29511, a 'new look' model 05 that was powered by a Ford gas turbine and the standard Spicer four-speed that the conventional diesel Eagle's used.
The engine was the same one that powered Ford's so-called "Big Red" experimental highway tractor-trailer, which had 13 foot tall cab that matched its trailer.
We departed the Port on the 2:00 PM New York to Los Angeles thru schedule. Don Martin was the first driver, to Pittsburgh. We left with big fanfare, with lots of company officials and press coverage. Some press rode along for various segments, getting passenger reactions on tape.
Don was a veteran driver, but he, and all subsequent drivers could not manage to shift gears without grinding. The turbine spun at a very high speed, and you had to move the lever at precisely the split second to avoid grinding. Very unforgiving. An interesting characteristic was that even though there was no torque converter, you could not stall nor 'lug' the engine.
The drivers learned to simply start out in high gear, and leave it there. Acceleration was very poor this way, but no further shifting was required.
I rode as far as Effingham on that long ago day in 1969. The bus made it to LA, but was then removed from service and converted back to a diesel. I still have a gold colored souvenir keychain from that event.

Later on Greyhound teamed up with Allison and put one of their gas turbines into an MC-7. They were smarter, and utilized an Allison HT740 automatic. The test bus ran between Detroit and Indianapolis. The Greyhound maintainance base at Detroit took care of the bus, and it also received attention at the Allison plant in Indianapolis. Another bus was made, and some time in the mid-seventies, there were 10 MC-8 "Turbocruisers" (interestingly the same moniker that GM had used on the early transit experimental), placed in service on all Philadelphia-Washington schedules. These coaches were financed by the US Department of Energy as an alternate fuel demonstration project.
The test was ultimately a failure, as in vehicular use, the turbine engines consumed too much fuel. One interesting tidbit, the hot exhaust vented thru the top, was not utilized to heat the bus, rather an auxiliary oil heater was used.

If I could own any car in the world, would it be a Bugatti Veyron? No sir.
A Rolls Royce Phantom? Not even close.
It would be a 1963 Chrysler Ghia Turbine Car.
The only one left in private ownership that still has a working engine, is the pride of one Mr. Jay Leno. Man, am I envious!!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

WHAT A DANG GOOD STORY!!

THANKS FOR SHARING!!

Here are a couple of 1970's GREYHOUND photos that I think might interest you......

NYO

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/john_jurkowski/2004/apr/3jjgreyhound.jpg

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/john_jurkowski/2004/apr/5jjgreyhound.jpg

[traildriver]

NYO, thanks for those links. I rode the twin, 6999 on the Detroit to Indy run. They ran opposite each other, daily.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[traildriver]

NYO
You are correct, sir!

While you're digging, maybe you can find one of the MC-8's that had the USDOE logo's on them?

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]