BusTalk

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 2:15 am Post subject: 'THE GREEN TORTOISE'

The next time someone tells you to 'go take a hike', this is the kind of hike that you'll really like taking!

Seen in an image snapped by well known bus photog Jim Husing somewhere in the San Francisco area in July of 2000 is a modified 1954 GM Coach Model TDM 4801 - an unnumbered ex Pacific Greyhound Lines Bay Area commuter and carrying the flag of the 'Green Tortoise'.

Just as the 5104's were built *'almost' exclusively for New York operators due to constraints on width, the slightly shorter wheel based 4801's were native to California because the standard 40 foot 5105's would have exceeded that state's axle load limit.

A little bit about the Green Tortoise operation;

The Green Tortoise offers affordable bus tours to the best U.S. and Central American destinations, including the Grand Canyon, Alaska, and Mexico and their overland holidays and backpacker adventures feature wilderness camping and trekking in America's best National Parks.

A Green Tortoise custom designed coach makes it easy to meet new friends either at one of its convenient card tables or in a casual conversation with your neighbor at one of its comfortable couches. At night, the bus easily converts and is spacious enough for up to 36 passengers to sleep soundly.

*I preface the word 'almost' for the benefit of my friendly pundits on another channel!

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, New York

RailBus63 · Moderator Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 1063

I remember seeing Green Tortoise buses in the Boston area a few times back in the 1980's.

andy47 · Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 96 Location: New York State

The 4801 shown was most likely from LA and spent most of its years operating for Pacific Electric and successors LA MTA and SC RTD. Don't thank the Pacific Greyhound commuter services in the SF Bay area had 4801s. Believe most of their GMs were the earlier 4507s with square windows.

roymanning2000 · Age: 77 Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 198

Andy,

Pacific Greyhound acquired 75 TDM4801's in 1954. They were the only mechanical shift 4801's built. At one time, one of these was preserved by Golden Gate Transit.

Greyhound also had TDM5103 and TDM 4515 old-look models in Bay Area commute service.

Roy

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 12:54 pm Post subject:

Here's another ex Pacific Greyhound Green Tortoise TDM 4801 that still carries the basic Greyhound livery design of the day except that what was blue is now dark green.

Of course, the 'pad locked' front door was a Tortoise trademark!

Another of Jim Husings great photos.

Regards,

Mr. 'L'