Friday, July 31, 2009

Continuing my discussion of books available from our Gift Shop or online by using PayPal (www.paypal.com) ... let me introduce you to one from Rhode Island -- titled All Aboard: History of Mass Transit in Rhode Island by Scott Molloy.

From the horse-drawn omnibus, horse cars, and cable tramways to the rumbling buses of today, this volume explores the history of getting about in Rhode Island from the Civil War to the creation of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority. Full of tales of life on the road, All Aboard is a visual tour of one of the most important industries of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. From horsepower to streetcar parks and a railroad strike that brought out the state militia, the state's transportation history is brought to life here through a collection of vintage images.

The book sells for $19.99 and is available directly at the Gift Shop or you can send payment to us through PayPal (http://www.paypal.com/) (use our email address thebusmuseum@yahoo.com) and be sure you indicate the title of the book. Add $4.00 for shipping - so your total would be $23.99

Thursday, July 30, 2009

I'm going to continue my discussion about books available in our Gift Shop. The Arcadia Publishing books are really wonderful photographic histories of times gone by. They are by far our most popular books.

Many of the so-called trolley books also have pictures of the later buses that came onto the lines--so don't let the titles fool you--there are many good pictures in these books.

The book I am highlighting today is called Lost Trolley of Queens and Long Island by Stephen L. Meyers with, of course, Long Island being near and dear to my heart! The NY books are VERY popular in our gift shop and in the next few days, I'll be writing about several of the others that we carry.

An amazing assortment of electric trolley lines once traversed the towns and villages of Queens and Long Island. With names like Jamaica Central, Northport Traction, Ocean Electric, and the Steinway lines, some meandered across meadows and hills while others sped over elevated tracks. There was even one line that had streetcars but no tracks. In the end, all of them helped stitch the countryside into the concentrated suburban area it is today—with barely a trace of the trolleys left anywhere.

This book sells for $19.99 in the gift shop and can be purchased online by using PayPal (http://www.paypal.com/) and using our email address (thebusmuseum@yahoo.com). Please be sure you note the title of the book you want and include $4.00 for media shipping (for a total of $23.99).

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Thanks to all of you who come and work on the fleet or do things with the buses. Examples of work that is on going: Mowing/weeding at the Annex; cleaning at the Annex; cleaning and dusting of the buses and display cabinets on the floor. (This is one of the most important things we do, the buses on display should look neat all the time.)

Thanks to Tom Mozer for keeping up with battery charging and checking and most of the mowing this summer. Thanks to Oliver and Sharon Ogden, Tom Collins and others who dust buses when working the floor at the museum. Thanks to Bob Devine and Ken McNellis for their hard work on the buses at the annex. The Altoona New Look, is truly a New Look, and it is ready for the floor thanks to Bob, Ken and Jeff. And it is ready inside and out. These men are now working on our Williamsburg New Look and it will look great.

So if you find you have a few hours to help with some of these items--please email us at thebusmuseum@yahoo.com or Dan (icarrythelight4god@msn.com) so we can have you scheduled in.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

As I am sure you are all aware, our Museum is located in Hershey, PA--which is not only noted for the located of our Museum and the AACA Automobile Museum but is famous in its own right as the home of Hershey Chocolate.

Another Arcadia Publishing book carried in our Gift Shop highlights the development of the town of Hershey. It is entitled Hershey and is by Mary Davidoff Houts and Pamela Cassidy Whitenack. Authors Mary Davidoff Houts, associate director of the Hershey Museum, and Pamela Cassidy Whitenack, archivist of the Hershey Community Archives, have been researching and teaching about Hershey for many years. They have compiled a fascinating history of this important man, town, company, and legend.

In 1903, successful candy maker Milton Hershey began a new enterprise that many people thought was doomed. He planned to build the biggest chocolate factory in the world, and a town to house its employees. The location he chose, near his birthplace in rural Derry Township, Pennsylvania, was most unlike the traditional urban factory settings of the era. Hershey is the pictorial history of what happened next. Through period photographs, many of them in print for the first time, and engaging narrative, Hershey reveals how the place, the people, the industrial age, and Milton Hershey himself contributed to the success of his scheme. Hershey includes an introduction to the history of Derry Township, tracing it from Milton Hershey’s birth in 1857 to his return in the early 1900s. The book follows the intertwining stories of Milton Hershey’s life, the growth of his chocolate company, the development of the school for needy boys that he endowed with his entire fortune, and the evolution of his model company town. The transformation of Hershey into a tourist destination and its survival after the death of its founder in 1945 conclude this chronicle of an American dream come true.

This has been one of our most popular books in the Gift Shop and is on its second printing. It sells for $21.99 and can be picked up at the Gift Shop or ordered here by paying through PayPal (http://www.paypal.com/) and using our email address (thebusmuseum@yahoo.com). Please be sure you indicate the book title and include $4.00 for shipping (for a total of $25.99).

Monday, July 27, 2009

Another Arcadia Publishing book we carry in the gift shop is San Francisco’s California Street Cable Cars by Walter Rice, Emiliano Echeverria, and Michael Dolgushkin.

San Francisco’s internationally recognized cable cars are the symbol of the individual character of a great city. The California Street cable car line is one of only three remaining lines in the city. The California Street Railway, or Cal Cable, was developed and opened by Leland Stanford, one of the builders of the transcontinental railroad and later founder of Stanford University. Indeed, the iconic line, intimately connected with some of the West’s pioneer businessmen, was sold, expanded, and reached its peak mileage just after 1890, only to be destroyed in the great earthquake and fire of 1906. As resilient as the city it served, Cal Cable was rebuilt and lasted as an independent business longer than any other private San Francisco transit operation. Cut down to its present form in 1954, that remnant and its double-ended cars survive as an integral part of today’s cable car system.

This book sells for $19.99 and you can purchase it in our Gift Shop or by paying through PayPal (http://www.paypal.com/) and using our email address (thebusmuseum@yahoo.com). Please add $4.00 for postage (for a total of $23.99) and be sure you indicate the title of the book you are interested in purchasing.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

The deadline is fast approaching--by now, all of our Members should have received the Board Nomination form. Remember, the deadline is Monday, August 3, 2009. Please include a short (250 word) bio and a photograph along with the name/address and phone number of the person being nominated. All nominations need to be in the Museum Office by Monday, August 3, 2009 (Museum of Bus Transportation, 161 Museum Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 Attn: T. Collins). Ballots will then be sent out to the Membership and results of the election will be announced at our Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 31, 2009.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Another new book in the Gift Shop is Trolleys of the Capital District (Albany) by Gino DiCarlo. It is also an Arcadia Publishing book and retails for $21.99.

When it came to first-class transportation, not many regions of North America had more to offer than the trolley lines of New York’s Capital District. From their humble beginnings as horse roads forming belts around Albany, Schenectady, and Troy, these trolley lines helped move people around Upstate New York from the late 1800s until their final exit after World War II. The lines of the United Traction Company, Schenectady Railway, and the Hudson Valley Railway provided hundreds of miles of track around their home cities, as well as direct routes to resorts in the Adirondacks, Lake George, and Saratoga Springs. The trolley lines became famous for disasters that made national headlines, labor disputes, and engineering wonders that included the longest trolley bridge in the world. The vintage images in Trolleys of the Capital District provide insight into an era gone by and an often forgotten form of transportation.

The book sells for $21.99 and is available directly at the Gift Shop or you can send payment to us through PayPal (www.paypal.com) (use our email address thebusmuseum@yahoo.com) and be sure you indicate the title of the book. Add $4.00 for shipping - so your total would be $25.99.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Have you seen any of the GREAT Arcadia Publishing books on the turnpikes and highways? We have a new one in the Gift Shop called "The New Jersey Turnpike" by Michael Lapolla and Thomas A. Suszka, which chronicles the history of the highway from 1949 through the present day. With vivid images, it follows the road’s progress from an ambitious vision, through construction, to opening, and into the future. Built as a utilitarian, four-lane, limited-access highway, the New Jersey Turnpike has evolved into the economic engine of New Jersey, the foundation of industrial prosperity and personal mobility. The highway traverses the entire state and is part of the Interstate 95 Corridor Coalition, which covers the East Coast from Maine to Florida. Today, more than two hundred forty million vehicles travel along the route, and many of those travelers stop at the turnpike’s twelve service areas.

The books sells for $19.99 and is available through the Gift Shop or if you would like to purchase it through the mail, it can be purchased by paying for the book through PayPal (www.paypal.com)--please indicate you would like "The New Jersey Turnpike" book - please add $4.00 shipping - for a total of $23.99. Our PayPal address would be thebusmuseum@yahoo.com. Be sure to indicate what book you are purchasing when you go to PayPal.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

I thought while we were away that I would take pictures of some of the coaches we saw....but we didn't see any! Maybe one or two driving the opposite direction on the highway or the interstate but we did not run across any other coaches.

We saw lots and lots of motorhomes--very big motorhomes so the price of gas is not keeping people home. Gas prices ranged from $2.22 in Kentucky to $2.59 for regular gas in Indiana. We here in the Susquehanna Valley are at about $2.35 for regular. Diesel ranged from $2.47 in Kentucky to $2.79 in Indiana.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

We have returned from our trip--we had a GREAT trip--weather was cool and we hit torrential rains coming back through West Virginia.

We traveled through Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. On our return on Sunday--we went via the South Union Shaker settlement in Auburn, KY. Unfortunately, not may buildings are left on the site--but it was enjoyable.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

We have left Indiana and are heading home--by the round-about way of South Union, KY, and a Shaker settlement/Museum there. See you Wednesday.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

We are on our way to Indiana to a Retreat for the weekend--we are going the scenic route through West Virginia and stopping at the Fenton Art Glass Museum (yes, I know, not bus-related, but sometimes you have to do something different). We'll be back next Tuesday evening and will not have the opportunity to post during this time (I don't think)....so see you then.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Mark your calendars now--especially if you are NOT a member of the Museum and already get free admittance to YOUR Museum - September 26, 2009, is Smithsonian Magazine MUSEUM DAY. You will need a special Admission Card which will be available soon (http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/admission.html). This is a GREAT opportunity to enjoy the Museum - or any of the other Museums listed on their site. Checkout the site for other Smithsonian-affiliated Museums that are participating.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Have you checked out our Gift Shop page lately??? We have a nice listing of T-Shirts available--shown here is the Capital Area Transit Shirt and we also have on our webpage the newest shirt (introduced at the Spring Fling) which is the Fitzjohn onloan from Wolf Bus in York Springs, PA.

Over the next few weeks I will be adding the titles of the Arcadia Publising books we now have on sale--we have three spinner racks of them and they have become some of our best sellers. So take a minute and checkout our page.

Monday, July 13, 2009

It is not too early to think about it--start planning NOW to attend our Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 31, 2009.

Our coach that day will be courtesy of Trans-Bridge Liness. Here's a little history of Trans-Bridge. Founded in 1941 by A. J. Ferraro and other members of his family. The company operated local transit service as well as charters and tour excursions from Port Colden, New Jersey to Easton, Pennsylvania, serving Washington and Phillipsburg, New Jersey and eventually Allentown, Pennsylvania. Ferraro founded his Phillipsburg based lines when he took over the New Jersey Interurban Coach Company. In 1923 this company had purchased a trolley company the Northampton, Easton, and Washington Traction Company which was established in 1906. New Jersey Interurban eventually replaced its trolley cars with coaches which first operated on February 7, 1925. A. J. Ferraro had many years of experience in the bus business, beginning in 1915. He was a driver, manager, consultant, partner and owner of various bus companies in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

Not sure where our trip will be to as of this date--but that decision will be made shortly.

Please take the time now to block out that day and be with us for our Annual Meeting and Dinner.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Skagway, Alaska - many Alaska cruises pull into Skagway and a wonderful opportunity to tour the town is available with the Skagway Alaska Street Car Tour as seen here in this picture. This is the time of the year to visit Alaska--but beware of the giant-sized mosquitos!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

After the turn of the last century, buses were an alternative to horse-drawn public transportation. Few people had cars and trains were the principal mode of transportation for long distances. The 'Sight Seeing Car' made its debut and was put into service at vacation destinations. By the 1920's wood bodies gave way to steel on the larger commercial vehicles. But wood remained popular for the most utilitarian personal vehicle --- the station wagon.

After World War 2, Robert Campbell's Mid-State Body Co. of Waterloo, New York, met a brief resurgence of demand for small wooden buses built on truck chassis. These vehicles were used by schools, manufacturers, and tourist attractions. Many were exported. In 1957 the company, the last manufacturer of wooden buses, was bankrupt.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Continuing my blog on the Board Meeting held Tuesday evening in Hershey, I am pleased to announce that the Board has appointed Ken McNellis to fill the unexpired term of Bob Beard, who (if you read yesterday's blog) has resigned from the Board. We welcome Ken to the Board as he brings a lot of bus experience to the Board.

In his 44 years of driving Charters, Guided Tours and Line runs, he has driven 38 different models of coaches (GMC, MCI, Flxible, American Eagle, and Prevost), 4 different models of School Buses (Thomas, Carpenter, International, and Freightliner), and 2 types of Mini-Coaches (Ford and Freightliner).

On March 23, 2009, he was awarded the "Driver of Distinction Award" by the PA Bus Association and Klein Transportation for one million miles of accident-free driving since 1966 to the present with no traffic citations for any type of violation (http://www.pabus.org/events/marketplace.php).

Ken became a member of the Museum of Bus Transportation in 1988 and became more involved with the Museum with the acquisition of the Amtran #153 and has been instrumental in cleaning and restoring this vehicle to its present condition. He wanted to help preserve this bus because it came from the first transit authority ever established in the state of Pennsylvania.

If you were at the Spring Fling on Friday, you will remember Ken as the person who, in the pouring rain, helped the shuttle turn around at the Annex, helped the vendors unload their wares, and generally helped with any other outside situations on that rainy day.

We believe Ken will be a great asset to the Board and please join us in WELCOMING him and congratulating him on his appointment.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

As I mentioned yesterday, I would be blogging over the next several days about our Board Meeting on Tuesday evening.

With deep regrets, the Board accepted the resignation of Bob Beard. Bob has been instrumental in getting the Museum publicity in all the national Bus magazines and we owe Bob a huge thanks for ALL his marketing and PR he has done for the Museum. He worked feverishly to improve the Spring Fling with sponsorship dollars and growing the Fling from a one-day affair to the highly successful two-day event we had this year.

So I hope that those of you who know Bob (Square Wheels) Beard will thank him on behalf of YOUR Museum for all the work he has done for us.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Last night was the July Board Meeting. I will be blogging the next few days about it--but wanted to get this up here first:

NOMINATIONS are now open. There will be three spots on the Board of Directors available for nominations this October. If you are a Member of the Museum of Bus Transportation in good standing, you may submit your name, address, phone number, a brief bio (250 words or less), and a photograph to place your name on the ballot for one of these positions. The terms of these seats are for three (3) years beginning in January 2010.

Please mail the above information to:

Museum of Bus Transportation Nominating Committee
161 Museum Drive - Hershey, PA 17033

or email it to:

thebusmuseum@yahoo.com

Information for nomination MUST be received no later than 3 pm on Monday, August 3, 2009.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Do you find yourself shopping more and more online? Saves time (no need to travel to the mall) and money (there are many deals out there now).

One way to help Your Museum and shop at the same time is to sign onto Shop for Museums (http://www.shopformuseums.com/) which was founded is 2002 and then proceed to the numerous stores they have listed. It is an online shopping fundraising organization. The program is secure and simple to use.

Simply log onto http://www.shopformuseums.com/ and choose the Museum of Bus Transportation (yes, we have it all set up to choose) - then follow the links to your favorite online retailer and purchase your items as you normally would. The Museum will then receive a percentage of your shopping - there are over 300 retailers available to choose from. This is so easy to do and who doesn't shop on the Internet today???

Monday, July 6, 2009

School sessions are different all over the country. Here in the Susquehanna Valley of PA they start ending the middle of May and by the first week in June--they are all finished. I know up on Long Island the children go until the end of June. But here they also start back earlier--before Labor Day--and it all has to do with the rotation of crops in the fields and how it started with lots of children helping planting and harvesting those crops.

But, by now ALL schools are out--so watch for children playing in the streets.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

A new Designliner bus was on display last Monday morning at the MTA NYC Transit building at 2 Broadway. Attached is a photo taken by Joe Caronetti. I suspect this is the pilot bus from the order, supposedly for 30 buses, with an option for an additional 60. These buses are supposed to be housed at the Quill depot in mid-Manhattan.

Saturday, 4th of July 2009 - INDEPENDENCE DAY

Happy 4th of July everyone! As our country celebrates INDEPENDENCE DAY, I went searching on the net to see if there were any buses decorated in our beautiful red-white-blue color scheme.

Of course, we have our own Patriotic Bus - the 1953 GM TGH 3102 that is always a star at our Spring Fling--seen here all decorated.

I also found buses from Chicago (the articulated) to Honolulu in patriotic color schemes. Stay safe on this holiday!

Friday, July 3, 2009

For many of us, we have the day off today in celebration of Independence Day (4th of July) which falls on a Saturday. What are you doing for the long weekend??? A nice trip to YOUR Museum would be a great way to celebrate this holiday.

There is so much to see just in the Bus portion of the Museum--we not only have full size buses on display but we also have numerous display cabinets with items such as china/dishes used on buses that had a food service, mementos from several bus companies, bus badges, bus timetables, toy buses, etc. Currently, we have a display of French toy buses. These displays change every 4-6 weeks--so there is ALWAYS something new to see at the Museum. Of course, the large buses do not change that often as it is not an easy task to empty the downstairs of cars in order to move out the large buses! But we are planning a change in the fall.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

We haven't had a chance to move our 1929 Pierce Arrow that hauled Lowell Fulson & His Band around in the film Ray, which depicted the life and times of R&B musician Ray Charles onto the floor yet but if you are lucky enough to visit the Museum while one of the BUS Museum volunteers are on the floor, you can ask them to take a peak at it as it is being stored in the detail shop. The Pierce Arrow was donated to the Museum by Robert Walsh, Indianapolis, IN. Pierce Arrow made only a few buses, all body-on-chassis units.


I thought I'd update you with a few pictures taken in the detail shop--it is a BEAUTIFUL bus and we are proud to have it in our collection. Upon some investigation, we have discovered it started its life as a school bus. Unfortunately, on its trip here to the Museum, someone walked off with the radiator cap--however, due to the diligence of volunteer Ken McNellis, he has located one and it will soon be in our hands. Thanks, Ken!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Okay--the year is half over and it is the first of a new month! Have you been to the Museum this year? If not, now would be the time to plan a vacation and visit YOUR Museum!

I have recently taken a few photographs to highlight one of the missed portions of our Museum--the great timeline of bus history along the outside wall--wrapping around all of the buses. Bob Smith has done a GREAT job in putting these together and I believe there are still some available to be sponsored or dedicated to someone. You can email Bob through our Museum email (mailto:thebusmuseum@yahoo.com)-- just put TIMELINE in the subject line and I will see that he gets the email.