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traildriver
Joined: 26 Mar 2011
Posts: 2628
Location: South Florida
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 Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2024 8:22 am Post subject: |
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| NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote: | Speaking of the independent bus terminals in Manhattan so long ago, this one, hidden in the basement of a midtown hotel, even had its own turntable, to guide the buses into their respective "slots".
Of course, us "die-hard bus historians" have known about this intriguing "mystery station" for many a year, now!
VERY interesting pics! (historic and modern)............... 
"NYO"
https://www.scoutingny.com/the-1930s-bus-station-hidden-in-a-times-square-hotel/
["THE SHORT LINE"] |
Similar setup to the B&O "motor coach" station at the Chanin Building...
https://cs.trains.com/ctr/f/3/t/230410.aspx |
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traildriver
Joined: 26 Mar 2011
Posts: 2628
Location: South Florida
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| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2024 8:29 am Post subject: |
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I actually stayed at that "fleabag" hotel a few times between 1969 and 1971.
While Safeway Trails had long since moved from the Dixie Bus Terminal to The PABT, they still had a few leases for driver's layover hotel rooms until sometime in the '70's, '
On a few occasions, such as when the city was paralyzed by a blizzard, instead of trying to get home to Queens, our operation's manager offered us rooms there, to insure he would have coverage for the next shifts. |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 27491
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2024 10:52 am Post subject: |
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| Cyberider wrote: | Thanks, NYO.
I actually had read about this before. Pretty unique! |
Cyberider:
You are welcome!
Just imagine what a SCALE MODEL of this terminal would be like, complete with models of the buses that once used it (WITH an OPERATING turntable!)......WOW!! 
This HAD to have been a most interesting terminal operation, way back in the heyday of intercity bus travel! 
"NYO"
["BOSTON"] |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 27491
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2024 10:58 am Post subject: |
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traildriver:
As always, MOST INTERESTING personal reminisces.....thanks for sharing! (also, appreciate the link!)
Yes, I've read of how the once-opulent hotel indeed degenerated into a sleazy "fleabag" in later years.........sad. 
The B&O bus connections (via CNJ ferry to Jersey City) lasted one year after the Hotel Dixie bus terminal closed in 1957 (FACCo, interestingly enough, had a hand in this unique and fascinating bus/marine/rail operation)
Postwar WHITES were the last buses used in this novel operation........too bad Your's Truly missed it by only a few years.
"NYO"
["B&O TRAIN CONNECTION"] |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 27491
Location: NEW JOISEY
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 27491
Location: NEW JOISEY
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 27491
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2024 5:53 pm Post subject: |
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Funny........
When one mentions "turntables", you right off think about locomotives revolving aboard one at an old-time roundhouse........few, if any, would ever associate turntables with BUSES!
Just goes to show just how diverse (and fascinating!) the bus industry was, way back in the day.........
"NYO"
["ENTRANCE TO ALL BUSES"] |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 27491
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2024 11:26 pm Post subject: |
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traildriver:
I must have read the late Jim Lehrer's "A BUS OF MY OWN" at least 500 times (or more?) 
Anyway, this bus-oriented "folk hero" of mine frequently mentions many, many, long-defunct intercity companies (man, his collection of old bus station signs alone was enough to make Your's Truly drool!)
Be that as it may, are you familiar with any of these long, long gone companies?
ABC COACH LINES
ZEPYR LINES
BOWEN
JORDAN BUS COMPANY
WACO-CISCO COACHES
SOUTHEASTERN STAGES
INDIANA MOTOR BUS COMPANY
KG LINES
Talk about a "cast of thousands".............
"NYO"
["TO ALL BUSES"]
Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Fri Dec 13, 2024 1:08 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 27491
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2024 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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traildriver:
Just curious.........
Are you at all familiar with this (current) outfit?
https://lmtours.net
["VanHool"]
BTW:
What ever happened to "Casser Tours"?
Their buses were commonplace sights, years back; I know the company is now defunct, but am curious as to when the company folded (and the disposition of its fleet...........thanks.....
"NYO"
["CASSER TOURS"] |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 27491
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2024 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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"HAWKEYE SCENIC STAGES" (La Crosse)..........
In "AMERICAN BUSES" (David Jacobs, 1985) there are two photos of a "Buffalo" then operated by this company.
According to the text, this company operated "local tours".
Bus is lettered "HAWKEYE SCENIC STAGES"
The use of the word "stage" is telling me that this was an old company; wobder if they had a "diverse" fleet or were strictly GM.
Would not surprise me if this company no longer exists (or had been absorbed by another outfit)
"NYO"
["GMC"] |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 27491
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2024 1:47 pm Post subject: |
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Interesting to think of the countless "regional" intercity operators whose operations/routes were later absorbed into either GREYHOUND of TRAILWAYS (or simply faded into oblivion)........many, many interesting stories to be told, for certain........
"NYO"
["BOWEN SERVES TEXAS"] |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 27491
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2024 5:34 pm Post subject: |
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There's several familiar "Yanks" in this magnificent "down under" heritage fleet!
(traildriver: Check out the 4106!)
The 1967 Ansair SCENICRUISER is indeed a "pseudo Fishbowl"; looks like this "fantasy" coach came right out of my vintage toy Fishbowl collection!
Enjoy!
https://driverclassics.com.au/heritage-fleet/1954-ansair-flxible-clipper
["BRISBANE"] |
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traildriver
Joined: 26 Mar 2011
Posts: 2628
Location: South Florida
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| Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2024 6:03 am Post subject: |
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| NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote: | traildriver:
I must have read the late Jim Lehrer's "A BUS OF TIME OWN" at least 500 times (or more?)
Anyway, this bus-oriented "folk hero" of mine frequently mentions many, many, long-defunct intercity companies (man, his collection of old bus station signs alone was enough to make Your's Truly drool!)
Be that as it may, are you familiar with any of these long, long gone companies?
ABC COACH LINES
ZEPYR LINES
BOWEN
JORDAN BUS COMPANY
WACO-CISCO COACHES
SOUTHEASTERN STAGES
INDIANA MOTOR BUS COMPANY
KG LINES
Talk about a "cast of thousands".............
"NYO"
["TO ALL BUSES"] |
Some of them...other's are just names in the Russell's Guide, to me.
Bowen of course was the origin of the Continental Bus System, when M E Moore purchased it, and began acquiring many others eventually becoming Continental Trailways.
KG Lines was the shortened name of former Southern Kansas Greyhound Lines.
One of them, is still alive and well....
https://southeasternstages.com/
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 27491
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2024 1:16 pm Post subject: |
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traildriver:
Appreciate both the additional historical info and the link to SOUTHEASTERN; especially enjoyed the photos showcasing the fleet and garage photos.....QUITE impressive!
Also, liked those few historical photos!
Just wish that hard-working fellow working under the one coach in the one photo was wearing protective headgear!
Also, REALLY liked the stylish livery carried by the coaches, so much more pleasing to the eye than the more usual black-and-white 9or often bizarre paint jobs!)
BTW:
Have you ever traveled on on one of the company's buses?
"NYO"
["ATLANTA"] |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 27491
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2024 1:52 pm Post subject: |
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traildriver:
BTW:
Whatever became of "CASSER TOURS" (and its buses)?
Thanks............
"NYO"
["CASSER TOURS"] |
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