Thanks, Sam. I always liked the looks of those buses (and the GMs).
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
Paul: I found this page on the history of the Flexible (Flxible(?) Bus, and pictures of their various types of intra-city transit buses:
http://busexplorer.com/PHP/FeaturePage.php?id=24
The Memphis Transit Authority operated an number of the 'Flxible' brand of buses in its fleet in the late 1960's and 1970's when they were replaced in large part by GM Coaches.
The Flxible buses were distinctive at first, by the outward thrust of their windshields; later versions were distinguishable by the canted driver's windshield (inward placed at top of windshield)
Here is a linked site ( That features a photo of similar bus type as came to Memphis when Flxible were intro'd there.
http://www.detroittransithistory.info/Misc/DSRFlxibles.html
As to the question of spelling: I think the name 'Flexible' came from the original Company which made side cars for motor cycles. Flxible was used to distinguish the bus manufacturing operation (?).
Hope the link above answers some of your questions. and any thing you ever wanted to know oabout Flxible Buses/ rail cars and so on. .
To get farther out on a tangent, I remember seeing Flxible buses many years ago and was curious about the spelling. I assume that the name was not meant to relate to "flexible", but might have been an acronym. Does anyone know anything about the name? Or, maybe it was a flexible way of spelling "flexible."
The Twin Coach/Flxible city buses were also a substantial part of CTA's surface operation in the 1950's and 1960's.
CSSHEGEWISCH Finally saw Ed's picture of PTRA 9601, Union RR in Pittsburgh has painted one of its MP15's into similar colors. It's got to be a big improvement for visibility. Houston North Shore was also noted in the MP era for operating railbuses that were modified from a Twin Coach city bus design.
Finally saw Ed's picture of PTRA 9601, Union RR in Pittsburgh has painted one of its MP15's into similar colors. It's got to be a big improvement for visibility.
Houston North Shore was also noted in the MP era for operating railbuses that were modified from a Twin Coach city bus design.
Paul:
This is a link showing one of the North Shore's rail;buses, that Ed had provided on a previous link: http://ourbaytown.com/Interurban.htm
Pretty interesting photo; I don't think I had ever seen a photo of this 'conversion'
style before. At first glance it sort of resembled the 'Flexible' brand City Bus designs that were running around Memphis in the late 50's and 60's
[deteted duped post]
edblysard The Houston North Shore was one of, if not the last electrified railroad built in America, and the wires came down in the late 50 early 60s.
The Houston North Shore was one of, if not the last electrified railroad built in America, and the wires came down in the late 50 early 60s.
The Kankakee (sp?) and Urbana in Illinois was built the same year, 1927, as the Houston North Shore, so it wasn't necessarily the last electric interurban built in the US. Having said that, it was emphatically the last successful interurban built. There was some interurban construction taking place after that, but those were mostly upgrades of existing lines.
There have been several electric railroads built in the US since then, ranging from the Black Mesa and Lake Powell, to the Washington Metro, but these have all been dedicated lines as opposed to the more general purpose Houston North Shore.
At least in the early years, the Houston North Shore connected with the Galveston Houston interurban.
- Erik
Its our new McMotor Paint...still have to figure out how to super size the rest.
Some night, when its real quiet, I am going to take some yellow duct tape and add arches to it.
We jokingly refer to the 9601 as the McDonalds Express....
Can't miss them at night though!
23 17 46 11
Nice pic in the Oct. Trains, Ed!
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
Murphy,
Once, a long, long time ago, in a city far far away, the galactic empire known as Missouri Pacific joined forces with a privateer and built a electrified railroad from the then Humble Oil Refinery(now Exxon Mobil) at Baytown to Houston, where it interchanged tank cars with other railroads.
They hauled passenger, shift workers out to the refinery, and brought back tanks, vice versa.
Back in the day, you could catch the trolley to Market street, get on the north Shore and be at the refinery in a flash.
The North Shore connected with the then extensive trolley system in Houston, they
Interchanged cars at Settagast yard with the Santa Fe, MoPac HB&T and the SP.
They also interchanged cars with SP at East Yard, adjacent to Englewood yard.
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/eqh12
http://ourbaytown.com/Interurban.htm
When UP took over the MoPac, they had access to the east side of Houston, with all the
petrochemical business.
Once the Santa Fe and the MoPac dissolved the HB&T, most of the trackage in east Houston
became UP lines.
UP never changed the name, so its still the North Shore branch.
UP's North Shore?
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
That would be the best bet, UP brought it in from their North Shore,.
I think Texas Terminals is leasing it for a while to catch up.
Saw cousin 1503 in Vicksburg earlier this year. Are these rascals being shopped in Baytown?
Sheer accident, Chris, no skill involved.
That's why I like early morning or late afternoon, the sky/background usually takes cares of itself.
This is early, about 6:30 am.
Like the contrast of the black locomotive and soft pastels in the sky, Ed. Nicely done!
-ChrisWest Chicago, ILChristopher May Fine Art Photography"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams
edblysard On its way to Texas Terminals as their second switcher.... Not real sure I would want to ride on a locomotive with WAM as its reporting initials.
On its way to Texas Terminals as their second switcher....
Not real sure I would want to ride on a locomotive with WAM as its reporting initials.
WATCO Emp[loyment Ad:
Wanted: Engineer and Conductor.
Must have sense of humor!
Call in Houston : BR549
Ask for BamBam D'Wham
Rd. Forman
No worse that what we call CRST the Crash Roll Stunt Team. I know one time I saw a CRST driver in WY in 99 on Elk go it is not Slick now I was running 25 MPH and I was running fast that day. Next thing I heard was OH **** me and there was CRST up against the Mountain on his Roof tires facing the Road with the Cab of the Truck about 60 feet in the AIR.
I went now who said it was not SLICK out here. Used my Trackphone called the WY State police told them they were going to need a Crane to get the truck down. Waited for the Police to get there. Cop went WTF happened I told him he went are they ok I went I think they both will need a clean pair of Underwear but they are fine. Teamate that was sleeping took care of the Driver for you aka Smacked him around I think but hard to say. Cop went what makes you say that I went I heard a crap load of screaming come out of the cab saying I told you it was bad Slow down on this mountain and crap like this. Next thing I heard was Your going to get fired for hitting me. Not when saftey heres about this one.
Remember the Head-On Collision Line, with its fleet of tank cars (HOCX)? Sounds like a good locomotive for them! (RCL....yes, that's the ticket!)
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
edblysard Not real sure I would want to ride on a locomotive with WAM as its reporting initials.
George Michael might consider it, might even look good on a CD cover.
Of course you could have the train aligned
WAMX
BAMX
TNKX
YOUX
MAMX
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Isn't that the Dodge pickup Elmer Fudd dwives?
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