Monday, May 31, 2010

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY everyone....stay safe!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

The Visicoach (as is the Harran in our collection--see to the left of the first picture)

In 1950, Flxible updated the clipper-style bus into a new version that is known as the Visicoach (but many people still refer to as a clipper since it shares the same general body design as the previous model). This revised coach featured three inches of additional interior headroom (you can see this via the extra strip of metal that is found below the side windows and above the Flxible badge on the front of the coach) and twelve inches of additional length in the engine room. The smaller window on the side indicates the location of the driver's side emergency exit door. A total of 925 visicoaches were produced from 1950-1956.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

The First All-Steel Clipper

In 1938 Flxible came out with a new 25 passenger Clipper that looked visually very similar to the previous years model, but had significant changes when inspected closely. This was the first model that had an all steel frame that was built as a unit (instead of a body mounted on a frame) and incorporated a rear engine design. This was the first Clipper-style bus that featured a flat side wall with no fenders. To compensate for the lack of true fenders, early paint designs usually featured a two-color design to emulated the look of streamlined fenders. You can identify this unit by its flat side walls and a driver's window with is taller than the rest of the rectangular side windows. In 1939, Flxible increased the seating capacity of the clipper to 29 passengers by adding a seventh side window and extending the coach length (and its wheelbase) by 36 inches.

Friday, May 28, 2010

In 1934, the Flxible company introduced the 17 passenger wooden framed body Airway bus. It featured a hooded design complete with front and rear fenders.This bus is where Flxible started using the curved rear that is commonly referred to as the "bullet butt" that is one of the design elements that continued on to help define the shape of the later Clipper models. A total of 378 Airway buses were produced from 1934-1937.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Okay - I have a question for you--what are you doing in a week???

Here's what I believe the answer should be: "I'm getting ready to leave for the Museum of Bus Transportation's SPRING FLING!"

Is that your answer???

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

One of the new SEPTA buses seen on the streets of Philadelphia:

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

We're about 10 days away from our SPRING FLING (June 4-5, 2010)--and we would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to our sponsors:

ABC Companies
American Public Transportation Association
BUSESONLINE.com
F. Champion
Fullington Auto Bus Company
W. Gregory
T. Hafer
Lancer Insurance
G. Lindsey
D. Mandros
Members First Federal Credit Union
Motor Coach Industries
Pennsylvania Bus Association
SETRA Coaches
United Motorcoach Association (UMA)

Monday, May 24, 2010

Continuing my school bus info:

The school bus remains the safest form of surface transportation in the United States. It is far safer than the automobile, truck, public bus, or train. School buses are designed and manufactured specifically for the safety and protection of pupil passengers. Manufacturers must conform to a host of federal standards and certify that each school bus meets all federal and state standards.

The school bus is made up of a straight-body truck chassis with a school bus body mounted on two I-beams. Each area of the school bus body is constructed of a skeletal system beneath the finish and trim elements. The framing elements are heavygauge steel collision beams covered by heavy-gauge steel plates. Emergency personnel have to be specially trained in extrication due to this skeletal framework and the safety cushion built around the pupils.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Since we are headed towards the end of the school year--actually here in the Susquehanna Valley, many schools have ended for the year, I thought I'd review some school busing info:

Pupil transportation is big business. The number of school children riding school buses in the United States has risen dramatically, making school busing one of this nation's greatest service industries. American pupil transportation provides an estimated 10 billion rides to and from school annually.

In 1950, 7 million children were transported in 115,000 school buses. Fifty years later, 448,307 school buses transported 22,675,116 children more than 3,788,427,941 miles to and from public schools. Many of these were pupils with special needs. It is not known how many nonpublic school children are transported or how many school buses are used to transport them.

Public school transportation costs approximately $500 per year per pupil. Only Pennsylvania transports all school children at state expense. The fifty states spent $11,746,576,005 for the 1999–2000 school year, which included expenditures for transportation and capital outlay to purchase new or replacement school buses.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Here's a GREAT Greyhound ad I found online--thought you'd enjoy it.

Friday, May 21, 2010

One of MY favorite buses (because of the long history involved with the bus) is, of course, the Red-White-Blue bus (aka the Patriot)....here's a photo of it decorated for last year's Spring Fling.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Today starts the prep for the Spring Fling--lawn cutting and weed removal are going on as well as charging up batteries to get those buses that have been stored in the building for the winter outside. This is no easy task.....but must be done--hoping the weather cooperates.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Another great display from last year's SPRING FLING - the school bus license plate display---check it out!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Just about 2-1/2 weeks to go until the 2010 SPRING FLING (June 4-5, 2010)--here are some pics from last year--hopefully to grab your interest so you will attend.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

SPRING FLING SPONSORS (Thank you!!)

American Public Transportation Association
Busesonline.Com
Fullington Auto Bus Company
W. Gregory
T. F. Hafer
Lancer Insurance
Members 1st Credit Union
Motor Coach Industries
Pennsylvania Bus Association
Prevost Car, Inc

Friday, May 14, 2010

Three weeks from today! That's right--just a mere three weeks--SPRING FLING at the Museum of Bus Transportation--be there or be square!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

We are finalizing our plans for the Spring Fling--our new T-Shirts are ordered--we have a THEME! Shirts will be available online AFTER the Spring Fling--so if you are coming to the Spring Fling--you get the first opportunity to purchase them. We always keep the design a secret until the Fling--but we are excited about it (as usual) this year. Make your plans NOW to join us June 4-5, 2010.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Have you checked out our Facebook page??? Just go to http://www.facebook.com/ and search Museum of Bus Transportation.

We have 465 fans from the United States; 23 from Canada, 9 from the UK; 2 from the Czech Republic; 2 from Indonesia, 2 from Australia; and 1 each from Switzerland, France, Ireland, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden, Slovakia, and Tunisia--get yourself counted and join us on Facebook!

Monday, May 10, 2010

A chilly day here in the Susquehanna Valley - only 36 degrees this morning! You would think it was Fall and not May - but I'm here to tell you that our SPRING FLING is a mere 3-1/2 weeks away! Are you ready??? Here are a few pics from last year's event.

One of the buses in these pictures will be looking totally different this year--so you won't want to miss it. Remember: June 4-5, 2010 - 9 am to 3 pm! BE THERE!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Here's a picture of the old and the new Lakeland pics--the new Lakeland was at the Museum with a group--thanks to Tom Mozer.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Here are a few more pics from the floor with the new Fageol on it:

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Okay, final preps are being made for the SPRING FLING which is less than a month away (June 4-5, 2010)--are you going to be there???

We already have some out-of-town visitors who have signed up as volunteers--can you help?? Let us know if you will have a few hours to spare.

Remember, hours are 9-3 Friday and Saturday. Parking ONLY at the Museum with a shuttle to the George Sage Complex. Hope to see you then

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Well - the Fageol looks GREAT on the floor....here are some pictures I took last night before the Board Meeting.

May 4, 2010

Are you on FACEBOOK - it is very easy to join--that seems to be where all the action is happening these days--we have 500+ followers from the US and 17 other countries! Why not join us?

When you join Facebook--just search for us "Museum of Bus Transportation" and click on the "like" button!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Well, the 1924 Fageol is on the floor--here's some interesting trivia about it.....it appeared in two movies:

"The Presidio" with Sean Connery and Meg Ryan

and

"Ironweed" with Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Some interesting information from John Adams, retired from Greyhound where he served as a driver, dispatcher, and supervisor as far back as the 40'

FAGEOL -- In 1921 Frank and William Fageol of Oakland, California, manufactured the first real intercity type bus. It had 22 seats with five doors opening on the right side. There was no center aisle. Drivers remembered it as the "flat bottom Fageol". Early models carried the gas tank along the roof above the driver's head. Over curving roads, the sloshing gas soon developed vapor lock which was remedied only after the driver climbed to the top of the bus to blow into the tank. The Fageol seated 29.

The Fageol was fondly remembered by older drivers. It held its place on the roads until the Streamliner replaced it in 1933. One of the first buses to use air brakes, it carried mechanical brakes in front and air brakes on the rear, with steel shoes that lit the night with rings of fire whenever the brakes were applied. It roared as it climbed the hills, and snorted as it came back down. The roar of its straight exhaust could be heard reverberating from the distant hills and valleys for many minutes and quite a few miles after it had passed through town. It had plenty of speed, but usually required ten miles to get wound up.

The Fageol began it's exodus in the early thirties when the Streamliner was coming in. But the Fageol had served well. It had been the workhorse during the twenties and early thirties, and had gained the fond admiration of every driver on the road. It had established itself as a "mud puller" over miles of roads that had never seen pavement. It had carried drivers over many miles of unmarked dirt and gravel roads, and had never heard the siren or seen the red light of the Highway Patrol, since those patrols were only beginning to come in as the Fageol was going out. The Fageol could roll, and did roll, in a day when schedules were often faster than in later years. It carried many thousands of people across the United States, and kept right on rolling for drivers who were so mile weary they could no longer see the radiator cap on the hood. The Fageol's day was before ICC regulations, and like the weary cowboy's pony, the Fageol continued on as long as her driver had strength left to set in the driver's seat.