Monday, February 28, 2011

Monday, February 28, 2011

Boston; Jersey City, N.J.; and Lincoln, Neb. are three of 15 metropolitan regions named as leaders in transportation innovation and smart transit, according to a new study released by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Released Wednesday, the 23rd, by the NRDC's Smarter Cities project, the study, created in collaboration with the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), compares and profiles U.S. regions based on public transit availability, use and cost; household automobile ownership and use; and innovative, sustainable transportation programs.

The 15 metro regions identified as 'Smarter Cities' for transportation include:

•Seven large regions (greater than1 million people): Boston; Chicago; Philadelphia; Portland, Ore.; New York; San Francisco; and Washington, D.C.
•Four medium regions (250,000-1 million people): Boulder-Longmont, Colo.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Jersey City, N.J.; and New Haven, Conn.
•Four small regions (less than 250,000 people): Champaign-Urbana, Ill.; Bremerton, Wash.; Lincoln, Neb.; and Yolo, Calif.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Here is the list of Iconografix books we carry in the gift shop - you can email me at the above email address if you are interested in purchasing any of these or any from Arcadia I listed Thursday and Friday.

American Taxi
Bus Industry Chronicle of US
Bus Mtr Coach Ind 1932-2000
Buses of ACF Photo Archive
Buses of Western Flyer
Checker Cab
City Transit Buses of the 20th Century
Collector's Guide to Bus Toys & Models
Fageol and Twin Coach Buses
Fifth Avenue Coach
Flxible, A History of the Bus Co.
Flxible Intercity Buses 24-70
Flxible Transit Buses
Going the Greyhound Way
GM Intercity Coaches
GM New Look Bus
Greyhound in Postcards
Highway Buses of the 20th Century
Interurban Trains to Chicago
Motorcoach Milestones
NY City Transit Buses 1945-1976
Old Look GMC
Prevost Buses 1924-2002
Rapid Transit Series Buses
Trailways Buses 1936-2001
Trolley Buses 1913-2001 Archiv
Trolley Buses Around the World
World of Bus Toys and Models
Yellow Coach Buses

Of course, we always have on hand "Square Wheels on the Interstate" autographed by the author, Robert Beard.

Several of our books are autographed copies - Greyhound in Postcards by John Dockendorf and NY City - Fifth Avenue Coach by Oliver Ogden.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Friday, February 25, 2011

Here are more of the Arcadia Publishing books we carry:

New Haven Streetcars
New Jersey Turnpike
New London County Trolleys
New Orleans:Canal Streetcar Line
NY City Subways
PA Turnpike
Pacific Electric Red Cars
Philadelphia Trolleys
Pittsburgh Streamlined Trolleys
San Francisco California Street Cable Cars
San Francisco's Interurban to San Mateo
San Francisco's Market Street Railway
San Francisco's Powell Street Cable Cars
Southeastern Pennsylvania Trolleys
Suburban Philadelphia Trolleys
Trolleys of the Capital District
Waterbury Trolleys
Western Connecticut Trolleys
Women's Baseball

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Did you know we carry OVER 70 books for sale in the gift shop??? Here are just a few of the Arcadia Publishing titles we carry:

All Aboard: History of Mass Transportation in RI
Altoona and Logan Valley Electric Railway
Arcade and Attica Railroad
Baltimore's Streetcars and Buses
Bessemer & Lake Erie RR
Black Baseball in Detroit
Black Baseball in KC
Brooklyn Streetcars
Buffalo Streetcars
East Broad Top Railroad
Greater Erie Trolleys
Greater Wyoming Valley Trolleys
Hartford County Trolleys
Hartford Trolleys
Hershey
Hershey Park
Horseshoe Curve
Johnstown Trolleys and Incline
Lost Trolleys of Queens and Long Island
Manhattan's Lost Streetcars
Metropolitan NY Third Avenue Rail
Mountain View Trolley Line

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Where oh where have I been? Well, first of all, last Friday was just gorgeous here with 70 degree temps so I was out and about all day.....then yesterday we woke up to 6 inches of white CARP (and I don't mean fish)....that took up most of the day cleaning my huge driveway! And, to top it off, this morning it is only 10 degrees out! Will try to get back in the grove this week. Where the heck is SPRING???

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Thursday, February 17, 2011


In 1951 LIFE magazine documented a crew of demolition men—whom they dubbed The Wreckers—knocking down townhouses and other structures around the city. We're told that most of the photos available in their public archive are for stories that never ran, so this one likely never saw the light of day. There was plenty of destruction happening in the '50s, with high rises going up and brownstones coming down. This one happens to show a Fifth Avenue Coach passing by one of those demo sites.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Here's some more of our wish list of tools:

- Battery Charger (heavy duty) - 24 volt/12 volt
- Volt Meter - for 24 volt/12 volt
- Load Tester - to test amps for 24 volt battery and 12 volt battery systems
- 3 ton floor jack - heavy duty hydraulic jack

Checkout yesterday's blog for info on donating money towards the purchase of these items or actually donating these items.

Thank you.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

To keep our buses in tip-top shape, the Museum has identified many tools that are needed in the MBT garage for a TOOL WISH LIST.

The Museum fleet is managed strictly by volunteers who use their own tools to repair the buses. We would like to begin to accumulate enough tools so that the volunteers do not have to use their own items.

Anyone interested in donating money towards this project, can do so by sending it through our PayPal Account (thebusmuseum@yahoo.com) or mailing a check to MBT, 161 Museum Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 and earmarking it for TOOLS. OR you can donate the actual tools--sending them or bringing them to the Museum - marking them with the notation MBT TOOLS (161 Museum Drive, Hershey, PA 17033).

Here's a list of some of the tools on our list:

- 3/8" drive impact deep socket set
- 1/2" drive impact deep socket set
- Wrench sets - SAE
- Portable Air Tank - Heavy Duty (Gas/Electric) 15/30 gallon 175/220 psi
- Air hoses - 50', 100', 150' lengths

I'll have some more "wish list" tools in tomorrow's blog. Thanks for anything you can do to help us in this endeavor.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Did you remember to say I Love You to your honey before you left for work today?

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Sunday, February 13, 2011

We were at the Museum yesterday with my new digital camcorder....so here's a look at the Gift Shop:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlSjoXRD-_4

There are a few other videos I took--will be adding them to the website over the next few days.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Friday, February 11, 2011

Just a quick note of a meeting date change. The March Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2011, instead of March 1.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Thursday, February 10, 2011

BUS SAFETY:

When you're in a car...

- Be careful when passing a stopped bus - passengers may be exiting and crossing the street. .
- Always obey all traffic signs and signals; drive carefully when sharing the road with a bus.
- Remember: buses can't stop as quickly as you can.

When you're walking...

- Always stop, look, and listen for buses before crossing the street - cross only at crosswalks and be sure to look both ways
- Don't stand on the street or stand in front of a bus - the driver may not see you or be able to stop in time.

When you are catching a bus...

- Remember: Buses stop for customers standing at bus stops - you do not need to hail them.
- Only exit the bus through the front door.
- As a bus approaches, be sure you are standing away from the street - and never, ever try to catch a moving bus.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

More info from the US Dept of Labor website on bus drivers:

Many employers prefer applicants who are at least 24 years old. Because bus drivers deal with passengers, they must be courteous. They need an even temperament and emotional stability because driving in heavy, fast-moving, or stop-and-go traffic and dealing with passengers can be stressful. Drivers must have strong customer service skills, including communication skills and the ability to coordinate and manage large groups of people. In some States, school bus drivers must pass a background investigation to uncover any criminal record or history of mental problems.

Bus drivers held about 647,500 jobs in 2008. Around 70 percent of all bus drivers were school bus drivers working primarily for school systems or for companies providing school bus services under contract. Most of the remainder worked for private and local government transit systems; some also worked for intercity and charter bus lines.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Here's some more info from the US Dept of Labor website about training for a bus driver:

Education and training. Some employers prefer high school graduates and require a written test of ability to follow complex bus schedules, but the ability to drive and a clean license are usually more important.

Most companies give driver trainees 2 to 8 weeks of classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction. In the classroom, trainees learn Department of Transportation and company work rules, safety regulations, State and municipal driving regulations, and safe driving practices. They also learn to read schedules, determine fares, keep records, and deal courteously with passengers.

During training, all bus drivers practice driving on set courses. They practice turns and zigzag maneuvers, backing up, and driving in narrow lanes. Then, they drive in light traffic and, eventually, on congested highways and city streets. They also make trial runs without passengers to improve their driving skills and learn the routes. Local transit trainees memorize and drive each of the runs operating out of their assigned garage. New drivers make regularly scheduled trips with passengers, accompanied by an experienced driver who gives helpful tips, answers questions, and evaluates the new driver's performance. Most bus drivers get brief supplemental training periodically to stay informed of safety issues and regulatory changes.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Monday, February 7, 2011

Here is some interesting statistics from the US Dept of Labor website on bus drivers:

About 35 percent of all bus drivers worked part time in 2008. School bus drivers work only when schools are in session. Some work 20 hours a week or less, driving one or two routes in the morning and afternoon. Drivers taking field or athletic trips, or who also have midday kindergarten routes, may work more hours a week.

Regular local transit and intercity bus drivers usually have a 5 or 6 day workweek. They may have to work one or both weekend days on a regular basis. Some drivers work in the early morning, in the evening, or after midnight. To accommodate commuters, many work “split shifts”—for example, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., with time off in between. Depending on the length of their routes, intercity bus drivers may spend one or more nights away from home at a time. Others may make a round-trip (or several round-trips) during a single day and come home at the end of each shift.

Motor coach operators may work any day and all hours of the day, including weekends and holidays. Their hours are dictated by the destinations, schedules, and itineraries of chartered tours. Like all commercial drivers, their weekly hours must be consistent with the Department of Transportation's rules and regulations concerning hours of service and they are required to document their time in a logbook.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Saturday, February 5, 2011


Here's another one I found of the Chicago Blizzard. Today, we are expecting more snow/ice....SPRING where are you?

Friday, February 4, 2011

Friday, February 4, 2011


Chicago really got whalloped in the storm. I have a friend who lives in Kenosha, WI - just north of Chicago and they got 26 inches. Here is a view of Lake Shore Drive in Chicago with all the abandoned vehicles.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Thursday, February 3, 2011




With the Super Bowl just around the corner--Susquehanna Valley vans are passionate about "their" team! Enjoy!

If anyone has some pics they would like to share from the "other" team--send them to me and I'll include them for equal time!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Here we are again with a repeat performance of yesterday--this ice storm was a little worse--about 10,000 people in Lancaster County without power this morning. Our long hilly driveway is again encased in ice--but this time we have the added fun of removing a tree limb from across it (when the ice melts!).

Please stay safe out there if you have to travel anywhere in the path of this horrendous storm.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Due to yet another storm in the Susquehanna Valley (and the East Coast)--our scheduled Board Meeting for tonight has been CANCELLED! Please stay safe out there...roads here in Lancaster County are VERY slick. Roads in Hershey are a little more snow covered--but the worst is yet to come this evening with another round of snow/ice overnight.