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Topic starter
15/01/2014 10:26 am
Greyhounds continued
Here are some more Greyhound coaches 1950s to current.
This one is known as a GMC "Old Look" a bus that was made from 1940 to 1968 in dozens of versions in 35 and 40 foot lengths, with manual or hydraulic gearboxes using the Detroit Diesel 6-71 inline engine rear mounted transversely. They were sold to hundreds or municipal bus lines and earned a record of high reliability. Over 38,000 were produced. Some versions for suburban use such as this Greyhound TDM-5103 had only one door and this example was used on the San Francisco Peninsula before the introduction of the GMC "new look" or "fish bowl" and the advent of county owned SamTrans.
photo no longer available
Supplementing the "old look" in 1959 was the "new look" also a GMC product which used a new V6 Detroit Diesel 6V-71 again rear mounted and driving a hydraulic or manual gearbox. Later an eight cylinder 8V-71 was optional. Available in surburan or transit configurations in 29, 35 or 40 foot lengths over 33,400 were made between 1959 and 1977. This model, by Corgi, is again a suburban version used by Greyhound on the San Francisco Peninsula and known as an SDM-5302.
photo no longer available
The next is a Greyhound intercity bus, Motor Coach Industries (MCI) 102DL3, the L meaning long (45 feet) and the 102 meaning 102 inches wide versus other versions at 96 inches. Launched about 1990,these were powered by Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines which were four stroke to comply with newer emission standards. Automatic or manual gearboxes were available. This model is again by Corgi in 1:50th scale.
photo no longer available
The next bus comes from a Canadian maker, Prevost and is a model X3-45, a 45 foot bus using Detroit or Volvo engines and Allison automatic gearboxes. Forty five feet had become the standard length for an intercity coach. This model is unfortunately slightly undersized for 50th scale and works out to about 55th scale. It was supplied by Royal Coach Buses at http://www.royalcoachbuses.com
photo no longer available
And finally another Prevost an H3-45 circa 2010 which used a Volvo or Detroit Diesel and Allison automatic gearbox. This is again a promotional model by Royal Coach Buses in 55th scale.
photo no longer available
Tomorrow, non Greyhounds and some non US buses.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
15/01/2014 11:32 am
Nice collection John! I especially like the earlier models. Do you...
collect other bus lines as well? Trailways and Concord come to mind, though I am not sure if the latter is represented in miniature. There are so many others, too. Smaller more regional lines. I'd love to see the Cyr Bus Lines done in miniature ( a Maine Bus company) that has been in business since about 1910 and still going strong! Well known for "local" New England / North East travel. Also a lot of Canadian tours as well. Anyway, probably wishful thinking on my part.
15/01/2014 12:57 pm
Thanks for Part II - I look forward to Part C!!!
15/01/2014 1:39 pm
Great stuff John! Looking forward to the third installment!
15/01/2014 6:58 pm
John, here's a bus I worked with that might interest you. (pic)
I built this one a couple of years ago from an old Hubley die cast toy bus, painted it with the colors my father used on his bus line, and gave it to my brother, who many years ago used to drive a mid-50's Chevy for our dad much like this one. I thought you might like to know or be reminded about the Hubley. It's fairly close to 1:43.
And yes, I know I used different type for my decals up near the top. Right now I can't remember why, but I'm sure I had a reason.
Topic starter
16/01/2014 1:56 pm
Nice. Due to the fluting at the rear side window that appears to be a Superior body.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA