BusTalk

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2022 11:06 am Post subject:

traildriver:

Years ago, a good friend of mine (RIP) owned a long-established train store here in "Joisey"; he, like myself, was a huge CNJ fan, and used to share some really rare CNJ photos with me (he is still greatly missed)

One photo really blew me away; it was a postwar photo showing a highway coach (I cannot recall if it were a Flex or a PD/PG type; I have not seen the photo in quite awhile) but the bus carried the CNJ's Statue of Liberty herald, and was being used by the railroad.

Going back to the NYS&W and PSNJ (regarding the "Susquehanna Transfer" train connection service); photos of this operation are quite rare.

I've only seen four or five in all my years of delving into NJ transportation history, and the newest I've seen dated to the 1940's (I've yet to see any photos from the 1950's or 1960's)

All I do know is that, from the beginning of "Transfer" service in 1940, the buses used were leased from PS (these coaches were both front-engined and rear-engined models)........

"NYO"

traildriver · Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2458 Location: South Florida

After the ICC mandated sale of their major bus holdings, the affected railroads disposed the majority of their holdings, (mostly Greyhound and Trailways divisions), but still retained a few smaller operations.
Up until Amtrak day, the Union Pacific still operated a small fleet of PD-4101's or '02's?) between their suburban East Los Angeles RR station, and 3 routes to various LA suburbs, serving its "City of Los Angeles" train.
The Santa Fe ran a connection from Richmond, Ca. to its downtown 44-Fourth Street terminal in San Francisco for its "San Francisco Chief", and also from Oakland to San Francisco for Western Pacific's, "California Zephyr" trains.
The Northern Pacific ran a few routes to connect trains to different places in Montana.
There were other's, and also there were some contracted charter's from Greyhound...like connection trains in Oakland with the downtown San Francisco station at Third and Townsend for the Southern Pacific. Or Norfok to Newport News, Va. for the C&O's "George Washington" train...

Bangor and Aroostook, was all bus...no more trains. GM&O's Gulf Transport only connected to GM&O (former Alton Route) trains at St. Louis.

Long Island RR ran train substitute buses from Babylon to the East End when service was reduced or as a supplement, but I believe these were contracted out...not LIRR owned and operated.

I'm sure I am leaving out many other examples...

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2022 5:23 pm Post subject:

traildriver:

Always greatly appreciate your interesting and "in depth" responses....thanks! Wink

Recall, too, the SANTA FE also operated ACF's and ACF-BRILLS in train-connection services.

In 1936, the SF purchased two ACH H-15-S's which were specially equipped with front entrances/exits on both sides, to enable the passengers to board/alight more easily at trackside.

They also rostered two ACF H-9-s'........

"NYO"

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2022 5:27 pm Post subject:

There was also MAINE CENTRAL TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, which was a subsidiary of the MAINE CENTRAL.

They purchased six ACF-BRILL IC-41's in 1946.

These MC bus routes were originally under the SamOset Company name.......

"NYO"

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2022 7:34 pm Post subject:

While on the subject of Santa Fe buses, I felt compelled to post the link to this highly unusual (and colorful!) vehicle*, the ULTIMATE set of wheels for any Santa Fe enthusiast! Wink

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/284430532700439473/

*(This vehicle easily reminds me of one of the vintage "fantasy" tin litho Santa Fe toys I have in my collection!) Wink

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2022 7:48 pm Post subject:

traildriver:

Here's one for the books....a 4106 "railbus" on the LIRR(!!) Shocked

https://forgotten-ny.com/2014/02/road-rail-bus-maspeth/

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2022 7:53 pm Post subject:

Here's another page on the 4106 "road/rail" bus........

https://railroad.net/1967-rail-bus-experiment-t155193.html

(courtesy: railroad.net)

traildriver · Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2458 Location: South Florida

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2022 11:05 pm Post subject:

traildriver:

Here's a photo of one of the New Haven's MACK railbuses (circa-1950)

Note, also, the sliding rear windows; these were also a feature of the BoT's (later NYCTA) "Bingham" MACKS of 1950/1951........

https://www.flickriver.com/photos/alcomike/50912761777

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2022 11:12 pm Post subject:

.......the MISSOURI PACIFIC once operated six postwar TWIN COACH Model 38-S railbuses between 1948 and 1961.

These unique railbuses operated in suburban services out of Houston; these vehicles were also equipped with large railroad-style headlights and air horns.....

"NYO"

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2022 11:20 pm Post subject:

Here's another photo of a New Haven MACK railbus, snapped in 1962.

Note the train door between the windshields........

www.rr-fallenflags.org/nh/nh0018u01.jpg

(courtesy: fallenflags.org)

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2022 11:32 pm Post subject:

Most likely the biggest (and most FEARSOME-looking!) railbus ever to have operated is this hulking ex-PICKWICK coach, converted into a railbus for operation in Mexico.......

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/229965124712029130/

traildriver · Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2458 Location: South Florida

Great shots NYO, thanks!

The big difference between the Mack's, and the 4106, was the Mack's could not operate on the highways...

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2022 10:40 am Post subject:

traildriver:

Glad you liked the pics! Wink

In speaking of buses on rails (we've discussed this elsewhere in the past) SOUTHWESTERN GREYHOUND LINES (SOUTHWESTERN TRANSPORTATION CO.), back in the early 1930's, also dabbled in railbuses.

In 1932, two SOUTHWESTERN Z-250's were converted into railbuses; these would be operated between Texarkana and Pine Bluff (COTTON BELT engineers carried out the conversions)

Coversion of the Z-250's included the installation of lavatories, pilots, sandboxes, and auxiliary water tanks, which added 2500 pounds to the overall weight.

This eventually required changing the brake linings because the adhesion factor on rails prevented use of the usual high brake chamber pressure.

At about this time, an agreement had been reached to sell SOUTHWESTERN TRANSPORTATION Co. to SOUTHLAND GREYHOUND LINES.......

"NYO"

(Source: "MOTOR COACH AGE" (undated issue; covers have long since disappeared)

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Wed May 11, 2022 8:50 pm Post subject:

Chicago-Rockford........

One of the only two prime-time sitcoms I watch (this one is set in a fictitional Illinois town, about an hour out of Chicago) has mentioned Rockford many times over the years.

Am curious if GREYHOUND (and TRAILWAYS) ran between Chicago and Rockford (does GREYHOUND served Rockford today?

I'm sure, back in the old days, there were alsp private carriers than offered service between these two locations.....

"NYO"

["Rockford Express"]