BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POST)

Reflecting on the long-forgotten (but no less classic) "GOLDEN CHARIOT".........

Two photos of this unique, one-of-a-kind three-exle coach are shown in the aformentioned book.

One photo shows it while operating for "PENNSYLVANIA GREYHOUND" (sans any "GREYHOUND" markings/running dog), while running on the NYC-Philadelphia route.

GM had intended to market this unique bus to other operators, but, sadly, there were no buyers.

The second photo shows the bus after it had been sold to "NORTH STAR LINES" (Mackinaw), numbered #108.

The photo itself dates to 1960; in back of the bus looms a huge "TRAVEL BY GREYHOUND" electric sign.

One of the most rare vintage Japanese tin litho toy GREYHOUND buses I have in my collection replicates this unique, eye-catching highway coach (too bad it could not have been spared the torch).........

"NYO"

["PD-4901"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

Just came across this..........

https://prevostcar.com/commuter

(just picturing this coach in the old ACADEMY colors of the early/mid-1990s)

"NYO"

["X-3"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

More on the "Chariot"..........

In my collection, I have a small "leaflet'-type tt (GREYHOUND) for service between New York and Philadelphia, via the NJ Turnpike.

A special mark denotes a run handled by the "Golden Chariot".

The tt informs riders:

"THESE RUNS FEATURE THREE GREAT AIR-RIDING BUSES"

"THE GOLDEN CHARIOT" (only one of its kind in the world!)

"THE SENSATIONAL NEW 'SCENICRUISER'"

"THE MODERN 'HIGHWAY TRAVELER' "]

(runs from Jersey City (Journal Square) are also listed here.......

"NYO"

["NEW YORK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Further:

Also in the aforementioned leaflet/ttt, there are also special notes denoting which NYC-PHIL runs were handled by "SCENICRUISERS" and 4104s..............

"NYO"

["EXPRESS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"ACADEMY" memento (1990s)..........

Back in the mid/late 1990s, as Your's Truly was allowed to board the Hoboken-bound "BOULEVARD EAST" run each weekday (first of the day) when said bus was quietly laying over in North Hudson Park, I became good friends with the drivers, and, during the colder months, would treat them (on board) to a coffee or a hot chocolate from the White Castle across the street....they ALWAYS were quite appreciative, and I also gave them a little gift at Christmas)

One of the drivers, who, by now, knew I was into buses, when I complimented him on his tie clip, which depicted an "MCI", he simply took it off his tie and handed it to me, as an addition to my collection!

Of course, I have it proudly displayed today!

"NYO"

["HOBOKEN PATH TUBES"]

[traildriver]

The PD-4901 suffered the same problem as the PD-4501...the twin engine design with the two fluid-coupled Detroit 4-71's, and their mechanical problems. This started the eventual split between GM and Greyhound, and also contributed to the end of 4501 production in 1956, after 1,001 were built.
The introduction of the Detroit 8v-71 in 1961 solved the power problem, and all of the Scenicruiser's were rebuilt with the new powerplant.


Had the 8v-71 been available when the 4901 came out, I'm sure it would have been very popular with all the intercity carrier's, and would have outsold the PD-4104.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

Excellent comments and input (as always!)

Yes, one indeed wonders what MIGHT have been, had the "Golden Chariot" been treated kinder by the "Powers That Be", and, had become a production model, becoming an integral part of the "GREYHOUND" fleet (as well as with other intercity companies, including "TRAILWAYS" and its affiliates)

It is also interesting to note, that, after the "Buffalo", the days of new "GREYHOUND" coaches with but two axles were over.

Given this, the 4106 was the last two-axle "conventional" bus to be added to the fleet; I use the word "conventional" as it was not a "split level" coach like the "Buffalo"..........

"NYO'

['SCENICRUISER SERVICE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Just curious............

When did "ACADEMY" purchase its first "MCI" coaches?

What models were they?

Thanks...........

"NYO"

["MCI"]

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

THANK YOU for this link; I'm really going to "get into it" later on......looks like there's a lot of interesting info (and photos!) there!

As you already know, the "ACADEMY" operations I knew on a day-to-day basis was the "22 HILLSIDE", and, from early 1994 to about 2002, the "BOULEVARD EAST" run (rush hours only)

Why NJT decided to cut back the "22" to Nungessers 20-odd years ago (leaving my town and Fairview out of the picture) is beyond me; many seniors, especially, depended on the "22".

The #159 doesn't operate with much frequency, and the #751 (old "B-1") only serves Anderson Avenue every two hours; far too many dollar vans, now.

"ACADEMY" really knew their stuff; I can recall virtually no headaches over the years, regarding either of the aforementioned routes, except, perhaps, just prior to the NJT takeover, when things started to slide a bit.

The drivers I knew were great fellows, without a doubt......sure enjoyed "ACADEMY" (and its buses!) back in the day!

"NYO"

["FARE 45 CENTS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

You would be the man to ask here............

What was the reason that "ACADEMY" divested itself of the "22" and "BOULEVARD EAST" routes?

Both lines went to NJT, as you know.

I still have the last "22" tt (2004) I procured, before the line was cut back to Nungessers.

The cover shows an NJT "RTS" and, the cover reads:

'22 HILLSIDE" formerly Academy (22 Hillside)"

I long hoped that NJT, at some point, would bring the "22" back up through Fairview and Cliffside Park", but, after 20 years, I certainly do not see this happening.

Up here, the ever-present "dollar vans" (which I have no love for) far outnumber the buses on NJT's #159 on Anderson Avenue........I still miss the old "22"; we used it extensively, back in the day................

'NYO"

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

No problem!

The thing I remember the most was (regarding the "22" being cut back to Nungessers in2005) was that I thought it odd that I hadn't seen a "22" passing through my neighborhood in three or four days; I had no idea the line had been cut back, but I had a feeling that something was amiss.

So, I went online and found that the "22" had been cut back, no longer serving my area.

All I can say is, the "22" was a VERY convenient line (as I said, Mom and I used it for many years); a lot of senior citizens depended on it as well.

Anyway, thanks again for your "input"!

"NYO"

["22 HILLSIDE-14TH STREET HOBOKEN"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Nostalgia...........

This 1981 photo shows a "FRANMAR" Fishbowl working the "22" heading for 14th Street, Hoboken.

When "ACADEMY" took over the line, the Fishbowls remained in the same paint, but now sporting "ACADEMY" lettering.

In time, they'd be replaced by NJDOT Flex New Looks.............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?155426

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["108"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Note that the "M&G" New Looks that once operated the "22" sported two different paint schemes (the location of the second photo is but a five-minute walk from where I've lived for 50-odd years!)

(both buses are southbound, heading for Hoboken)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?157320 (note, on the left, the old PSNJ line pole, an ancient relic from the streetcar days!)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?157315

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["M&G"]