BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Sidenote:

just did a little research, and found that most of the MC-7's operated by NJT many years ago were purchased second-hand from GREYHOUND..............

"NYO"

["SEE AMERICA FIRST-THE GREYHOUND WAY!"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

......any news at all regarding NJT possibly taking over the former DE CAMP commuter lines?

"NYO"

["DE CAMP BUS LINES"]

[traildriver]

Sorry to see....

https://www.busandmotorcoachnews.com/the-final-stop-njs-oldest-bus-company-closes-after-155-years/

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

I do THANK YOU for relaying this sad news; DE CAMP was a very familiar part of my growing up in the 60s (when Mom and I rode Old Looks and ACF-BRILLS on the long-defunct #22 out from Journal Square out to Verona, to visit relatives); when we lived in West Orange from 1971 through mid-1974, we took DE CAMP's #33 when we wanted to go into New York.

Connie Francis, when she was starting out in the music business, frequently rode the #33, in the 1950s, going into New York.

It was sad enough to see DE CAMP end all commuter service not that long ago, but now, well, I NEVER thought that this proud, storied old carrier would one day become a "fallen flag" itself

Truly a sad day for so many.............

"NYO"

["22 JERSEY CITY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

See also...........

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

["33 NEW YORK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

By the time of this 1974 photo, DE CAMP had retired its once-proud fleet of Old Looks; for many years, these big buses were the backbone of the DE CAMP fleet.

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?154405

When this photo was taken, the bus seen here had been sold, and was now being operated by another outfit (note no lettering, and the blank destination sign)

When in the DE CAMP fleet, "DE CAMP BUS LINES" was emblazoned above the windows a stylish script...........

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

1950s purchases of Old Look suburbans comprised the following:

TDH-4509s

TDH-5108s

TDM-5108s

Last purchased were the 5108s in 1958.

"NYO"

["66 MONTCLAIR"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

DE CAMP's first Old Looks...........

The first Old Looks DE CAMP purchased were TG-4006s; these buses arrived in 1945.

In 1947, a group of TD-4507s entered service...........

"NYO"

["146 LIVINGSTON"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

WHITE 798s..............

The only WHITE 798s operated by DE CAMP were added to the fleet when they took over "ATLANTIC TRANSPORTATION" ("THE GARDEN STATE LINES") in the mid-1950s.

These buses were retired after the first batch of Fishbowls arrived in 1960 (SDM-5301s)

The 12 ACF-BRILL "C-44s" from "ATLANTIC", however, remained with DE CAMP until they were retired in the 1960s.............

"NYO"

["32 NEW YORK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

DE CAMP's "bloodmobile" service........

Strange as it might seem in a commuter bus operation, DE CAMP once also transported blood on certain Route #77 trips.

This unique "transport" operated between New York and Morristown.......

"NYO"

["77 MORRISTOWN"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"Parlor coaches"............

By 1978, a quarter of DE CAMP's fleet was made up of parlor coaches.

Like PSNJ, company purchased its first 4104s in 1954; more followed in 1956, 1957, 1959, and 1960.

Unlike some of the other New Jersey companies, no 4106s were ever purchased.

In 1968, parlor coach purchases began anew with the arrival of the first PD-4903s ("Buffalos")

DE CAMP purchased its first MCI coaches (two MC-7s) in in 1973.

"MC-8s" arrived in 1976.............

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"Comparisons"......

Taken at about the same location (Lincoln Tunnel helix) in 1981, we see here two Fishbowls, one still painted in the original, time-honored DE CAMP paint, with the other having been repainted into the then-new scheme...............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?154719

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?154720

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["33 MONTCLAIR"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

DE CAMP's formidable ACF-BRILL "C-44s" were integral parts of of my 1960s childhood; Mom and I rode these hulking "Rocky BRILL-boas" on the old #22 from JSQ out to Verona, to visit my favorite aunt, uncle, and cousins (getting out there via DE CAMP was indeed part of the fun!)

It was not until later in the 1960s that these buses disappeared from the "#22" (they had been replaced by Fishbowls for several years on the "main lines" by this late date)

The Old Looks were soon to follow; as the "#22" was considered a "stepchild" by DE CAMP, they relegated their oldest buses to the line, until, here too, they were replaced by Fishbowls.

The "C-44s" rostered by DE CAMP that had originally run for "GARDEN STATE LINES" featured the distinctive "pompadour" air vent over the front destination sign.

Hard to believe I have not been on one of these tough old buses in close to 60 years; I can STILL hear their distinctive (and aggressive!) growling and snorting today!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/542965298801206656/

"NYO"

["146 LIVINGSTON"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is a rare color photo of one of the ex-"ATLANTIC TRANSPORTATION" ("GARDEN STATE LINES") White 798s, now wearing DE CAMP colors, as are the ex-"ATLANTIC TRANSPORTATION" Brills in the background.

Interestingly, this 1956 photo was taken at the former "ATLANTIC" garage in Clifton, now operated by "DE CAMP".

These were the only WHITE 798s rostered by "DE CAMP"; they were retired after the first new Fishbowls arrived on the property.........

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/85779567886817857/

["32 NUTLEY"]

[traildriver]

It is amazing that DeCamp was in business for 155 years. It must be one of the oldest, if not THE oldest bus lines evolving from stage coaches.

Greyhound Lines had some former stage coach operators among its founder's, most notably, W E "Buck" Travis, there was no continuity from any of them into the Company, that I am aware of, but their might be....

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]