BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Further:

As PS was a steadfast YELLOW operator, they never operated these "slant back" TWINS.

Postwar, with the exception of a lone MACK suburban demo, PS purchased only GM buses, again, showing no interest in TWINS.....

"NYO"

["WASHINGTON STREET"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"CROWNS".........

I always felt that CROWN coaches were "unorthodox", in regards to being primarily used as school buses.

I say this because these handsome buses more resembled a highway coach than a school bus.

Years ago, BUS WORLD ran a great story on the old CROWNS that were used as police buses/inmate transports by the LAPD; lthe article also stated that many of the LAPD drivers LOVED to play with the old "growler" sirens!

VERY impressive oaches!

"NYO"

["LAPD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Interesting article; good selection of photos (nice-looking buses!).......

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

["CROWN"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In my c0llection,I have a number of tin friction toy buses from the late1959s/early1960s, that clearly were inspired by the tri-axle CROWN buses of that era.

They came in two sizes, all made by the same Japanese firm)

Interestingly, ,the "owl eyed" windshields are reminiscent of those of an AEROCOACH!

These toyscame inb a variety of liveries:

U S ARMY

U S NAVY

US AIR FORCE

GREYHOUND

TRAILWAYS

SCHOOL

The "ARMY" version was one of two tin tpy buses (my first!) that I recieeved forChristmas, 1959!

"NYO"

["RXPRESS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also interesting to consider that the clssic "CROWN"(which remained virtually unchanged for many years, unlike most other buses.

Too, they were clearly "West Coast" buses, hardly seen elsewhere, which made them quite "exotic".........

"NYO"

["CROWN COACH"]

[Cyberider]

Rarely seen outside of California, actually. There was (maybe still is) an older gentlement who collected a bunch of Crowns. Forgot what his name was but I can still see his face. He loved driving them for videos, especially the ones with the 10-speed transmissions. Some were Detroit-powered and some were Cummins-powered but they were all great sounding and driving buses. Even if he's not around anymore, maybe his videos are.

[Cyberider]

Looked him up on YouTube. Al Jennings is his name and here's a sample video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7ezyQyofF4

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cyber:

Thanks for the info and the link!

CROWNS were always great faves if mine; I've always regretted that we didn't have them here in New Jersey!

Amazing that, for many years, CROWNS hardly changed appearance; 1970s models still looked like those of the 1950....which I VERY MUCH approved of!

Compared to today's "tin foil" buses, the CROWNS were TANKS!!!!!!!!

"NYO"

["SCHOOL BUS"]

[Cyberider]

Agreed. I liked the consistent styling too.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A TRUE rarity.......

Go to the "PACIFIC BUS MUSEUM" website, and go the page for LAMCL's extremely rare "SAU-2" Utilty Coach;this very rare bus was a very early rear-engine coach.....

"NYO""

['LOS ANGELES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

An "oddity" worth mentioning is the Old Look "4801", built specifically for California operators..........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_TDH-4801_&_TDM-4801

[Cyberider]

Many of these were still in service when I lived in LA during 1972-3. I'd never seen these wide Old Looks before since we only had the narrow ones in Phoenix. At first, they looked funny with the rear windows so far apart.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

CyberiderL

I did not know of these unique buses until a big article came out in "BUS WORLD", about 19865.

To look at these Old Looks ata glance, I could see no difference between them and the Old Looks tht I grew up with, here in New Jersey.

In that "BUS WORLD" article there was a beautiful two-page spread photo of one of the new PE buses....now THAT was a BUS!!

"NYO"

["PACIFIC ELECTRIC"]

[Cyberider]

And after a long service in LA, some of them went to MUNI and some to Mexico where they soldiered on into the 80's. Show me a modern bus that could serve so long!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cyberider:

Recall, now, also, the PD-4101s and early 4102s, which featured rear ends with Old Look-style windows (these rears also had a drumhead)

UNION PACIFIC operated these handsome buses in train connection service for many years.

The sleek 4103s were a totally revamped coach with new styling......

"NYO"

["TRAIN CONNECTION"]