2013 In Review-Minus Category Or Negatives

We would like to take a moment to share a few of the "Minus Category" items that the museum faced in 2013: We received no requests for any of our buses to be used for special photo, movie or commercial productions (a good revenue source). Please spread the word about the vintage and unique buses in our collection. Any interested production companies can contact the museum office and we would be happy to consider your request. Expenses continue to exceed income. Donation were down a bit in 2013. Any donations from individuals or business members are always welcome. The docent pool to work on the museum floor continues to dwindle. Many days in 2013 saw no museum members working the floor to answer visitor's questions about our buses or the museum. Even if you can only give a few hours a month or a year (as many menbers do not reside near Hershey), please contact the museum office if you can help us out. Also, more volunteers are needed for our work sessions, which will resume in March (weather permitting). We will post 2014 work session information here and on our Facebook page shortly. We are always happy to welcome new members. Although we gained some new members in 2013, the number was offset by the loss of smoe members for various reasons (lost contact, did not renew or unfortunetly have passed on). Individual or business memberships are available, as are life memberships for individuals. Please contact the museum office for information. The phone number is 717-566-7100 extension 119. The office is usually staffed on Tuesdays, however the phone messages are checked at least once or twice a day. If you get the voicemail when you call please leave a message and someone will return your call as soon as possible. Thank You for your continued support of the museum.

2013 In Review-The Positives

Welcome to 2014. We hope you all have a happy and healthy new year. Taking a moment to look back on 2013, there were several positives, among them: Between our 2 storage facilities and the display floor at the museum, all of our fleet is now stored under cover. The United Motorcoach Association granted us free annual membership as well as excellent press releases and coverage of our various projects and events in their Bus and Motorcoach News publication. The UMA also provided us with free display space at their 2013 Marketplace event in Orlando. ABC Bus, through board member Clancy Cornell supplied a display bus for our space at the Marketplace. We also received coverage in National Bus Trader and Bus and Coach News. The AACA Museum continues to include us in their advertising. The 2013 Spring Fling was successful, nearly the same overall as 2012's event. Membership renewals remain on par with 2012. We had several new business members join in 2013. We can always use more new members (individual and business). We acquired a part time paid mechanic, Jim Tay (who also works for Conestoga Tours part time) to help maintain our fleet. Also E & B Transportation and Wolf's Bus Lines continue to assist us with mechanical work on flood damaged buses. We acquired a 40 foot 1970 Flxible, a 1986 T8H-5307A (the last GM New Look ever built) and a 1993 Orion I in 2013. We sold the 1954 Flxible Visicoach (limited flood damage) and 5 buses for salvage (flood damage deemed beyond repair) which brought in $15,000 to the museum. The next post will look at some of the "Minus Category" items from 2013 and how we can hopefully create more positives in 2014.

Annual Meeting Update

By now all members in good standing should have received the mailing for this year's annual meeting which will be taking place on Saturday October 26th at the museum in Hershey. The mailing contains the agenda for the day's events with a form to mail back with your payment (or donation if you cannot attend) and the ballot for this year's election of board members. If you did not receive the mailing and you are a current member in good standing (membership paid/up to date) please contact the museum at 717-566-7100 X 119. We look forward to seeing you on October 26th.

Annual Meeting Saturday October 26th

The Museum of Bus Transportation's Annual Meeting will be taking place on Saturday October 26th at the museum. The day will begin at 9:00 AM when the museum and gift shop open for the day. Members can check in, view the buses on the display floor and visit the gift shop where you will receive a 10% discount on bus related items purchased on October 26th. At 10:00 AM the meeting portion of the day begins with our guest speaker. We are pleased to announce that this year's guest speaker will be Frank Martz Henry, Chairman of the Board of the Martz Froup, Wilkes Barre PA. Frank Martz Coach Company was founded in 1908 and is Pennsylvania's oldest bus operating company. Mr. Henry will discuss the history and growth of the company. Following Mr. Henry's presentation, the annual business meeting will take place. After the meeting concludes a delicious lunch will be served, followed by a mini flea market. The day's activities will conclude with a mid-afternoon bus trip around the Hershey area, including scheduled stops at the George Sage Memorial Annex and our new Hershey storage facility. We expect to return to the museum between 5:00 & 6:00 PM. Cost for members to attend the annual meeting is $35, which includes lunch. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us on October 26th.

Gerald Squier Has Passed

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Gerald Squier, a well known bus historian and author who was also a long time member of the Motor Bus Society and more recently served as secretary on the MBS board. He was co-author (with John McKane) of the book Welcome Aboard the GM New Look Bus , a detailed history of the New Look, or Fishbowl bus. We sold many copies of this book in the gift shop when it was first released. Gerald's knowledge and efforts to record and preserve the history of bus transportation will be remembered and appreciated by many. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Gerald's family.

Less Than 3 Weeks Till Spring Fling

Spring Fling is less than 3 weeks away from today. We are looking forward to a great day, and we hope you'll plan to join us on Saturday June 1st. We will have vintage buses from both the museum's fleet and visiting buses on display in the museum parking lot. We will also have modern buses on display as well. MCI is scheduled to display a demo coach, ABC Companies is expected to bring one as well, and maybe a surprise or two. The bus memorabillia flea market will take place inside on the museum floor. We will also have food and refreshments for sale at our kitchen on the museum floor. We will also offer hourly shuttle bus service between the museum and George Sage Memorial Annex for those who wish to view the buses on display there. We'll keep you posted with updates as we get closer.

Dot Anderson Has Passed

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Dorothea Elder "Dot" Anderson at age 96. Dot, along with her late husband Orville DeWayne Anderson operated Anderson Coach and Travel based in Greenville PA. Anderson Coach and Travel started out with one school bus in 1937 and today still operates school buses, but also operates motor coach tours and charters throughout the United States and Canada. All of us at the museum extend our deepest sympathies to the Anderson family.

Happy 65th Anniversary Motor Bus Society

All of us at the museum wish to extend our congratulations to the Motor Bus Society as they celebrate their 65th anniversary this year. Founded in 1948 as the National Motor Bus Association, the purpose of the MBS is the collection and publication of the history and development of the bus industry in North America. Twice per year, the MBS holds conventions where members travel to visit bus operations and tour bus garages and related facilities in and around the area the convention is based. The MBS also participates in our annual Spring Fling, renting a table to sell current and back issues of their publications along with bus memorabillia. Later this week the MBS will hold the first of two special 4 day conventions commerating this special anniversary as members gather in Secaucus, NJ and from Thursday thru Sunday will be touring in New York City area and New Jersey. This Fall the MBS will hold it's first ever overseas convention, a 4 day gathering based in London England. Again congratulations to the MBS and best wishes for 2 successful conventions this year.

Happy 80th Anniversary Peter Pan Bus Lines

.The April issue of National Bus Trader contains an article saluting Peter Pan Bus Lines on their 80th anniversary of operation. A well respected operator of line run and charter service in New Enlgland and the Mid-Atlantic states, they are also long time supporters of the museum. All of us at the MBT congratulate Peter Pan Bus Lines on their 80th anniversary.

Spring Fling 2013 Saturday June 1st

Here are the details for the MBT 2013 Spring Fling taking place on Saturday June 1st. As has been the case the past few years, the bus flea market will take place on the bus museum floor, in front of the buses on display. We will also have MBT and visiting buses on display outside. Most major bus manufacturers are planning to attend with a demonstrator bus. We will provide shuttle service to the MBT annex for those who wish to see the buses parked there. We will have an indoor food court and seating available to enjoy your food & drink. And we will have 2 featured buses on display: the 1936 International and the 1955 Flxible VL-100.


For those who would like to reserve tables to sell their bus related items and memorabillia, tables are $35 each or 2 tables for $60. To reserve a table please call 717-566-7100 X 119. If no answer please leave a message and someone will contact you as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you at Spring Fling!!

Additional Storage Building For The Museum

Some great news to share. Thanks to MBT Board member Ralph Fetrow, through his connections in the Hershey area we have located an additional storage facility to allow for all of our buses to be parked under cover. This large (35 feet by 300 feet) garage is owned by the Hershey Trust Company and is located in Derry Township, 2 miles south of Hershey. The MBT board was looking for a rental property that had more storage space than we needed, to allow us to sublet storage, this facility meets that criteria. By subletting storage space, the museum will benefit financially as this will help with lease payments. Thank You to Ralph Fetrow for his efforts in successfully finding this additional storage space.

Searching For Wiring Diagram For Non-Greyhound 4103

Can you help us find a wiring diagram for a non-Greyhound 4103?


Our 4103, although painted as a Greyhound started revenue service in the Quaker City Bus Company fleet in Philadelphia in 1952. We have learned 4103's delivered to companies other than Greyhound are different. If you have or know of a wiring diagram please contact the museum at 717-566-7100 X119. Please leave a message and someone will contact you. Thank You.

Tom Collins "My Favorite Bus" Story Featured In February National Bus Trader

The February issue of National Bus Trader magazine introduces a new feature, "My Favorite Bus". This is where a reader contributes a story about their favorite bus. NBT Editor Larry Plachno says many people in the bus industry have a special feeling towards a particular model or favorite bus. The first contribution for "My Favorite Bus" is from MBT President Tom Collins, who shares the story of his favorite bus, the ACF-Brill C-36. Tom drove these buses in his first job at Conestoga Transportation Company. It is a great story that is well worth reading. If you are a subscriber of National Bus Trader, you have or will be getting your issue shortly. Thank You Tom for your story and Thank You Larry for introducing this new feature in NBT.

Save The Date: Spring Fling Saturday June 1st

Save the date: the annual MBT Spring Fling will be taking place on Saturday June 1st. Make plans to join us for a bus memorabillia flea market on the museum floor and a vintage bus display in the museum parking lot. More details and information for vendors wishing to rent table space for the flea market will be posted when they become available. Hope to see you at the 2013 Spring Fling.

Become A Member Of The MBT

 If you're not a member of the museum please consider becoming a member. You can become an annual or lifetime member. Membership includes entrance to the museum for one adult and 10% off bus items in the gift shop just by showing your membership card. Thank you in advance for considering becoming a member. To download a membership application click on the link below:


http://www.busmuseum.org/Bus_Museum/Membership.html

Evacuation Article In January 2013 National Bus Trader

The January 2013 issue of National Bus Trader magazine is out. This issue features an article written by Larry Plachno about the evacuation of buses from the annex ahead of Hurricane Sandy and the arrival of the Brill and Beaver buses in October. The article contains 3 pictures taken by Tom Mozer. Thank you to Larry Plachno for writing this article.

Merry Christmas And Happy Holidays

All of us at the Museum of Bus Transportation would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. The museum will be open regular hours on Sunday Dec.23rd and will be closed Monday and Tuesday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The museum will reopen on Wednesday Dec.26th at 9:00AM.

35 Years Of National Bus Trader

All of us at the MBT extend our congratulations to Larry Plachno, editor & publisher of National Bus Trader magazine. The December 2012 issue marks 35 years of continuous publication. Larry continues with the longest tenure as a bus magazine editor and NBT holds the record as the longest running continuously published monthly bus magazine in recent history, a testament to Larry's ongoing dedication and mission to cover all aspects of the bus industry. A photo taken by Elaine Farrell of snow covered Capital Area Transit 1001 outside the museum on October 29th, 2011 appears on page 40 of this milestone issue. Again, congratulations to Larry and his staff and thank you Larry for your continued support and coverage of the bus industry.

Happy Thanksgiving

All of us at the Museum of Bus Transportation would like to wish all our members, supporters & fans a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. A reminder that the museum will be closed on Thursday Nov.22nd in observance of Thanksgiving and will reopen on Friday Nov.23rd at 9:00AM.

Two Buses Donated To The Museum

The MBT is pleased to announce we have taken delivery of two buses that have been donated to us by Ralph Ciccone. We now have in our fleet a 1951 Brill that was we understand was originally a school bus in Reading PA and was later converted to a transit bus. We hope to have it restored to it's original school bus configuration.


Mr. Ciccone also donated a 1952 Beaver, which originally was a demonstrator, then was sold to Holloway Bus Lines in New Jersey. It was later sold to Leonard Lines before being acquired by Mr. Ciccone.
These buses were delivered to us on Thursday. Both of these buses are currently in the museum parking lot along with the buses evacuated from the annex. We'll have pictures of these buses to share with you soon.
A big thank you to Ralph Ciccone for his donation of these two interesting and rare buses to the MBT.