BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POST)

Also, in "FLXIBLE INTERCITY COACHES" (William A. Luke), there are old photos of FLXILINER/DINA-types operating for these Mexican companies........

"TRANSPORTS del NORTE"

"TRES ESTRELLAS de ORO"

"NORTE de SONORA"

"TRANSPORTES ESTRELLA BLANCA"

"TRANSPORTES CHIHUAHUENES"

["FLXIBLE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A true CLASSIC, from "South Of The Border".........

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/423971752419326904/

["DINA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's another photo of a rugged-looking "South Of The Border" classic......

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/695172892456106245/

["MEXICO CITY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Talk about being SURPRISED!!!!! (SEE ALSO RELATED POST IN "UNORTHODOX BUSES"" TOPIC)

In my copy (just received!) copy of William A. Lukes's OUTSTANDING "HIGHWAY BUSES OF THE 20TH CENTURY", there is a photo that REALLY blew me away.....a PSNJ 4104 with SIGHTSEEING PANELS in the roof!!!

NEVER knew PS rostered 4104s with this feature!!!

Bus is signed "NEWARK" and is numbered "G611"......WOW!!!

"NYO"

["PUBLIC SERVICE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also........

In the aforementioned book, there are some good photos of two of GM's hardworking classics, the 4104 and 4106 (GREYHOUND rostered over 1900 of the 4104!)

The 4106s pictured were from the fleets of:

"THE OHIO BUS LINE COMPANY"

"THE ARROW LINES"

"WHITE RIVER COACH LINES"

There are also great photos of the iconic "Buffalo"; one photo shows a "Buffalo" rostered by "EMPIRE TRAILWAYS".

American classics, all.................

"NYO"

["GMC"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Regarding the "Buffalo"...........

Recall that these big buses were also available with retractable tag axles, for operators requiring three-axle buses.

Remember, now, the "VISICOACHES" operated by NORTHLAND GREYHOUND in the 1950s,which also featured a retractable set of rear wheels, used during the spring thaw on Minnesota's highways.............

"NYO"

["FLXIBLE"}

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

....in 1962, GM (Canada) built a number of Fishbowls (SDM-4501) for "CHARTERWAYS" of London, Ontario.

These Fishbowls were unusual, in that they had sedan doors (DOMENICO, if you will recall, also operated Fishbowls with sedan doors, many years ago)..........

"NYO"

["CHARTERWAYS"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Interesting thought............

Though the 4104, 4106, and "Buffalo" all were designed as "highway coaches", it did not take long for all three to find solid positions in many fleets in commuter service.

Then, of course, while Old Looks and Fishbowls were NOT designed for highway travel, per se, they were available as transits and suburbans, further showcasing the trademark versatility the GM was known for, for so many years.......

"NYO"

["EXPRESS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A bit of historical trivia..........

The hulking, fearsome-looking "MC-6", like the SCENICRUISER, was exclusive to GREYHOUND.

In fact, these "big bruisers" were built with the intention of at least beginning to replace the then-aging SCENICRUISERS.

Recall, also, that the "SIXES" were 102" wide; at that time (1967), this new width was not yet authorized by most states; in fact, it was not until 1985 that buses of this width were legalized for operation almost everywhere.........

"NYO"

["4599"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The MCI as a commuter coach..............

Though, of course, the MCI was built for use primarily as an intercity coach, it is interesting to see how (like the GM-built buses before them) how they soon became the backbone of many surburban fleets

Look at how many NJT purchased in the mid-late 1980s (well over 1,000); these were the MC-9s

Then, too, old, established suburban carriers like "RED & TAN", "SUBURBAN", and "DE CAMP".

Here again, the big MCI's (aka "Jersey Hounds") more than proved their dependability, in virtaully any sector.........

"NYO"

["165 NEW YORK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The EAGLE as a commuter coach..............

Though the solid backbone of CONTINENTAL TRAILWAYS for decades, unlike the MCI, the iconic EAGLE did not do too well in commuter service.

In 1988, NJT purchased 119 EAGLE Model 20s; these distinctive buses, sadly, did not fare at all well with NJT, and were all retired after only a few years of service.

This explains why I do not recall seeing them for all that long.....

"NYo"

["5501"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

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

In 1988, the two-axle, 35-foot EAGLE Model 15/35 was introduced.

It had been thought that this "condensed" version of the EAGLE would prove popular with commuter and charter operators.

At that time, EAGLE INTERNATIONAL was owned by GREYHOUND.

Alas, only a small number of these buses were sold; some were used fo use as luxury motor homes......

"NYO"

["EAGLE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Further.......

Just now recalling that another defunct New Jersey commuter carrier, "SUBURBAN TRANSIT" ("SUBURBAN TRAILS") also operated EAGLES for a time, back in the 1980s/early 1990s.

Very distinctive buses.............

"NYO"

["NEW YORK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also of interest...............

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_bus (note photo of the 1958 Super Golden Eagle articulated coach!)

["TULSA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is an interesting article (w/ several interesting photos) detailing the history of intercity bus travel, both here and abroad.............

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercity_bus_service

Also of historical interest:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail_coach

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