BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cyberider:

Glad you liked the photos/info!

If you look at online photos of the 1940s YELLOW/GM PG/PD type parlor coaches, you can see that their rear ends were clearly inspired by the "Clippers".

Unlike the "Clippers", however, these buses often featured illuminated observation car-type drumheads, which had to have been quite attractive on night runs!

When I was quite young, I remember seeing these buses in charter service in my area, every once in awhile......ALWAYS caught my eye!

"NYO"

{"CHARTERED"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

PREVOST/CCF-BRILL "Clippers"..........

Interestingly, in the early 1950s, CCF-BRILL manufactured 29-passenger intercity buses which were dead-ringers for the "Clipper".

This model was known as the "VOYAGEUR"; only 37 of these buses were built, between 1950 and 1955.

Also, "MURRAY HILL SIGHTSEEING SERVICE" of Montreal once rostered a group of 37-passenger PREVOST intercity buses, that originally had been operated by "EASTERN CANADIAN GREYHOUND LINES"

These buses resembled Visicoaches (complete with rounded, windowless rear end and air scoop on the roof) but featured front ends that were quite distinctive, somewhat recalling the CROWN coaches of that era.................

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"TRI-AXLE" Visicoaches?

Yes, in a manner of speaking, these DID exist............

In 1953, NORTHLAND GREYHOUND (Minneapolis) took delivery of 16 Visicoaches; these buses were unique in that they were equipped with retractable wheels at the rear.

These wheels were required, because at the time, Minnesota had strict weight restrictions imposed on its highways during the spring months, when thawing was taking place.

The extra set of wheels gave the buses better weight distribution.

After the spring thaw, these wheels were retracted......

"NYO"

["TWIN CITIES"]

[Cyberider]

Sounds like a tag axle. I went looking for a photo but had no luck.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[Cyberider]

NYO,

Oh, that's right, there are two Flxible books I need to get!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cyberider:

First "bus book" I ever got to enjoy was given to me by my late brother for Christmas, 1988, "THE BUS WORLD ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BUSES" (Ed Stauss)

This is a small softcover, but covering almost all of the then-current bus manufacturers; LOADED with detailed stats, production numbers, etc......AND a SLEW of great photos!

This book has proven to be an INVALUABLE research tool for me as well, over the years!

"NYO"

["BUS STOP"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Maybe not so "unorthodox" so far as modern buses go, but here are some photos (and information) on GREYHOUND operations "down under".

Interesting that the buses have florescent striping/hazard lights on the exterior, to illuminate them while operating on mining sites..........

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

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Check out these handsomely restored classics* from up in Manitoba; the prewar ("slant back") TWINS and FORDS were still commonplace in my area when I was growing up (at least through the mid-1960s); a few of the old "indy" companies were still running these antiques!

Also, check out the magificent restored vintage highway coaches!

*Note that the Old Look originally ran in California!

https://www.mtha.ca/vintage-fleet.html

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

INCREDIBLE collection of AWESOME vintage bus (and trolleybus!) photos from Toronto (note also the early FACCo-style double-deckers, as well as the once-familiar Old Looks, Fishbowls, etc!)

https://www.blogto.com/city/2011/05/what_ttc_buses_used_to_look_like/

["TTC"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Back in the 50s, Ottawa operated a quite diverse (and fascinating!) array of buses, including Old Looks, CCF-BRILLS, FORDS, and PREVOSTS, as well as a small fleet of trolleybuses (CCF-BRILL) and several streetcar lines, which were gone prior to 1960............

"NYO"

["CCF-BRILL"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

More Canadian nostalgia, this time from Montreal (note that "indirect lighting" was used as headlights on most streetcars there; few cities in the US used this unusual dash lighting.

During WW2, however, Baltimore fitted out some of its older semis with dash lighting........

"NYO"

See:

https://transittoronto.ca/streetcar/4753.shtml

["ROSEMONT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Must make mention of the famed (and long-defunct) "OTTAWA CAR COMPANY"...................

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

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an interesting page (w/some good photos of the "classics"!)

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

["VISICOACH"]

[Cyberider]

NYO,

Thanks for the plethora of information.

Maybe I need more than just those two books! I've been gathering books and information since the early 70's but have slowed down in recent years.