BusTalk

Q65A · Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 1:19 pm Post subject:

Modern buses are sleek, but don't look as tough as their silversided predecessors.

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 3:47 pm Post subject:

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 4:15 pm Post subject:

On the lighter side, 'it's party time!'

Pictured is fleet number CP8115 - a 1982 MCI Model MC-9 (Limobus II) operating for Capital Trailways of Auburn, Alabama.

As can be seen in the one interior shot, the 'Limobus' option offered a completely different sensation for its passengers (boy, I'd like to have been a fly on the wall of one these buses!).

Regardless of what was happening inside this bus, the exterior was outstanding and one of MCI's very memorable offerings.

Photos from the Bob Redden Collection.

Regards,

Mr. 'L'

Q65A · Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 4:56 pm Post subject:

It was not long ago (was it?) when the MC-9 was the best-selling MCI.

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 5:02 pm Post subject:

Mr. "L":

Certainly, NOT your "average" MC-9, by ANY means!

A good-lookin' coach, indeed, from the outside!

Somehow...I doubt if any "executive business" was ever taken care of aboard.....all aboard the "HAPPY HOUR EXPRESS"? Very Happy

GREAT pic....thanks for sharing! Very Happy

NYO

HwyHaulier · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 932 Location: Harford County, MD

Mr 'L' -

Disclaimer: Not to nit pick, but... exercise of option here.

CP-8115 a unit of (more or less, "up the street" neighbor) CAPITOL, Harrisburg (or adjacent area), PA based.
Currently, it is part of the (another old name) BIEBER empire...

http://www.gotobus.com/biebertrailways/

.....................Vern.................

JimmiB · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 1:42 am Post subject:

Beat me to it Vern. Definitely Capital Bus of Harrisburg, now Bieber Trailways. I put a lot of miles on MC-9s for Lebanon Bus Co., which is another "fallen flag".
BTW, Bieber sure is running their line runs with a bunch of paint schemes and painted out lettering right now.

traildriver · Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2701 Location: South Florida

Hi all--
I've taken a break from the computer for a while, and been catching up this morning. I see I've missed a lot of fabulous stuff!!!
I especially liked that link to the SEGL photos--great interior shots of the IC41's they used on their premium runs like the "Sun King Express", with lavatory and refreshment service.
I also like the GL MC-7 "Turbocruiser", one of about 10 financed by the US Department of Energy to demonstrate alternate fuel capabilities during the last energy crisis. It had an Allison Gas Turbine and HT740 tranny.
I loved seeing the looks of pedestrians when it 'jetted' by on the street.
The Pickwick Duplex coaches weren't even as tall as currinet Prevost H-3's. They had a single level aisle with alternate high and low 'compartments' off of it. Similar to old Long Island RR MU's from years ago. They would have had no problem with Holland Tunnel.

American did get into Montana (and S.D. among others) with their 1946 acquisition of Burlington Trailways (BTCo.), but Continental took the routes from Denver north via Cheyenne to Rapid City and Billings away from them aftter a long and bitter strike in 1959, and gave them to Denver-Colorado Springs-Pueblo Motorway.

I especially liked the photo's of the Adirondack (my current employer), MC-7's and Eagles. Adirondack was one of the first Trailways carriers to 'defect' from the Eagle. The ads. from the period praised them as 'The Quiet Bus', due no doubt in part, by their use of Thermopane double glazed windows.

It seems that Bieber is keeping the former Capitol Bus Co. routes, drivers, and perhaps equipment as a separate operation. For example, in the Port, you still purchase former Capitol route tickets from the Trailways or Greyhound ticket plaza's, but Bieber Tourways tickets from the Academy windows, as before. Bieber uses gates 19 and 21, while the former Capitol still uses gate 2, which it shares with Susquehanna.

Q65A · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 10:14 am Post subject:

Good to see the Bieber name still soldiering on. They always ran sharp-looking, dignified equipment.

HwyHaulier · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 932 Location: Harford County, MD

T.D. - Q65A -

T.D.: Didn't know that about the PICKWICK DUPLEX coaches. Missed seeing the diagrams, which should be "up" on Coachbuilt site.

BIEBER? Ah! I am of a mind, give 'em some time. The highway bus trade is no easy piece of cake these days. Working at it, they'll get
it all to a standard of uniform image on the streets. Should we look at the history, a surprise CAPITOL not acquired by MARTZ?

.......................Vern.....................

traildriver · Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2701 Location: South Florida

Bieber equipment is maintained to some of the highest standards in the industry. You don't see duct tape and cable ties holding their equipment together. Indeed, they probably have a waiting list to purchase their retired buses (as, sigh, my company at one time did).

Martz is growing, as is Academy, both having acquired numerous companies down south. It's interesting how Martz is now growing, as if you look back at their long history, in the early thirties their routes stretched to Chicago, and then they retrenched to their current routes. At one time, they even operated an airline. Their acquistions these days are mainly charter and tour companies.

HwyHaulier · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 932 Location: Harford County, MD

T.D. -

It is quite difficult to understand TRAILWAYS, Way Back When days. The "Founding Fathers" cabal widely reported.
All the more odd, its reason to exist traced to a "brilliant insight" by an ICC guy. (RESPECT THE DOG! <G>)...

Beats me how MARTZ ever persuaded to give up its Grandfather Route serving Chicago...

....................Vern................

traildriver · Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2701 Location: South Florida

I believe they ran it at a loss during the depression, against competition from several companies prior to regulation So they concentrated on their strong base around Wilkes-Barre and Scranton to NYC and Philly.

HwyHaulier · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 932 Location: Harford County, MD

T.D. -

Works for me! The Depression Era conditions did shape a great deal of corporate strategies, all around...

Perhaps had MARTZ done some sort of partnership with a number of railroads, with no bus subs of their own in the
NY/NJ markets? Carriers, NKP, WABASH, ERIE, DL&W, possibly B & O, CNJ come to mind. Surely, all had annoying
branch lines, where they would be happy to have any excuse to stop the daily trains!

.....................Vern................