Hello Crew.
Below is a letter that I sent to Bill Cawthon and the 1/87th Club. I shortened it here and cut down the number of photos to get to the point. Bill and his group were helpful in persuading Busch to produce the GMC Fishbowl in HO and a number of us are hoping the same can be done for the 0-1. Those of you over 35 may have likely seen one of these on the road "back in the day".
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Bill,
you and I communicated about a year or so ago regarding the positive potential for the prodcution of a 1/87th scale, 40ft Eagle-01 coach. Me and a number of modelers I've spoken to are hoping that you can encourage a manufacturer to produce this bus. This was Trailways flagship coach during the 50s and 60s. Ironically, while the Eagle-05 has been produced in 1/87th scale by Pirate Models, no one has produced the late version (1961-68) Eagle-01, a significant bus that helped Trailways build its unique image and competed against Greyhound's famed "scenicruiser" coach of which models have been produced. For modeling diorama scenes and model railroads, the Eagle 01 would fit into any time period between 1961 thru the mid 70s. Many prototype 01s soldiered on in private hands (Churches, civic groups, tour companies). Photo 1: The primary body difference was easy to see. The back of the late Eagle-01's roof (2nd bus from the left) was rounded and had a 3 piece back window, with the side glass pieces wrapping around towards the body sides. Tail lights were round. The Eagle-05, (all the way to the left) had a more squared back and square shaped tail lights. No wrap-around window. Photo 2. A typical Trailways 0-1 in New York during the early 1970s. (note the Fisbowl behind it!)
Photo 3. Today, an ex-Trailways Eagle-01 in private ownership. Note the modifications, including the wrap around glass replaced with sheetmetal (painted light blue) on the Baptist Church bus.
Photo 4. Driverside view, rear section of the 01. Note the smooth, rounded roof and the wrap around window set. It appears that the late 01 and 05 are virtually identical on the sides (windows and sheetmetal) and the primary visual difference is the back where the roof rounds off downward and the back window wraps around. If Pirate Models still has the mold/die for its Eagle 05, do you think that perhaps an 01 can be crafted as well? I've spoken with other modelers who remember these buses and consider it ironic that an HO version has never been produced. Even a "generic" version might be welcomed. Thank you so very much for looking and considering. :)
Antonio-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I included some more photos in that message.
With the latest production of a vintage HO Greyhound cruiser hitting the market, it seems ironic that more models of Greyhound's primary competitor haven't been produced. That would be like manufacturers producing cars for the Broadway Limited, but none for the 20th Century Limited.
For me personally, I grew fond of these coaches as a an observant kid in an odd sort of way. Back in the 60s and early 70s in New York City, my dad would take us out in our Pontiac LeMans. We'd go upstate, sometimes. It seemed so often that my dad would be running between 65 and 70 mph on the highway......and one of these buses would BLAST BY us doing 75-80 mph! Two things that I remembered: The 3-piece back window and that loud, gruffy exhaust! It was just too cool. Seems that today, quite a number of people on the bus forums remember these Trailways coaches.
May be a long shot, but after years of persistent suggesting, we finally got an affordable HO fishbowl model. I'm hoping the same will happen for this coach as well.
The 0-1 is the 2nd one from the left. The 1st bus on the estreme left is an 0-5 Photo Credit: Wayne Carey 1974
Guys,
What do you think?
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
O.K,
Try again. Photos should be visible now.
Personally, I would like to see a model of this bus. I rode them several times when I was younger and always thought they were extemely handsome.
However, there are two problems with the Eagle O-1: First, the cost of tooling the model; second, the limited number of customers for the prototype.
With the Busch TDH-5301 and the upcoming Athearn Flxible Visicoach, there were lots of different customers which means the buses can be re-released in new liveries from now 'til the cows come home. That's not true of the Eagle O-1 until you start trying to track down subsequent sales when the Continental Trailways retired them.
Of course, it's possible to do like Classic Metal Works did with their GM PD-4103 and release the model with a variety of destinations, but I am not sure how many modelers out there have a Trailways terminal on their layout or have other uses for a fleet of buses.
Of course, it might be possible to load a higher development recovery factor into the retail price, but that's a losing game if a $20.00 model becomes a $30.00 model. You lose too many sales that way.
Bill C.
I disagree. I think they'll sell plenty. Most people (like me) don't know the difference between an 0-1 and an 0-5, they'll just know it looks like a bus from the 60s & 70s. I used to ride busses like those down to NYC (from Lake George), I even rode one down there for my draft physical!
There's been such a shortage of bus models for the 60s-70s time period, I think they'll sell all they can make. I hope they do them in the Adirondack Trailways livery as well.
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
I understand your view, however, remember that there are many age 35 and over modelers in the U.S and Canada that remember these unique coaches. Stands to reason that a good number of them would purchase an 0-1 if produced; especially if it were advertised as "Limited Run". There were charter/tour companies, such as "Glades", that also owned 0-1s. However, it might be helpful to the manufacturer if it produced the coach in two flavors: The Trailways "Lightning stripe" scheme and undecorated.
Here's a high school that purchased a 1967 Eagle 0-1. The school didn't even bother to change the Trailways lightning bolt scheme. photo by Fred Rayman
IMHO, modelers of the 60s-early 70s time period would appreciate having the realistic scenario of having rival Greyhound and Trailways coaches on their streets and highways, just as it was in the real world. photo by American Buslines Inc
I think these would sell very well. Even North of the Border. I would like to see a lot more of "Retro" traffic (aka 50-70's) offered as I'm modelling @ 1960ish.
Fergie
I know the Greyhounds buses just offered sold real quick in Nova Scotia (Acadian Bus Lines sported the same colours)
Besides we see a lot of American Touristas North of the Border.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959
If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
While Athearn hasn't announced a price for the new Flxible Visicoach, I assume it's going to be in the same range as some of their fire truck models which range up to about $28.00. The Busch GM TDH-5301 runs about $33.00 for the basic model. Let's say the Eagle O-1 would have retail price of about $30.00. The manufacturer would have to sell about 20,000 pieces to break even on the development costs. Now there's some hope European bus collectors might be interested as the Golden Eagles were built by Setra-Kässbohrer and even the Silver Eagles were European-made. Let's say they take half, leaving the manufacturer with 10,000 pieces to sell in the U.S. With the Visicoach or TDH-5301 it's no problem, just release it in ten different liveries at a thousand pieces each, twenty at 500 each or some combination of the two. With the Eagle, there's just the one livery that will sell anywhere. It's possible to have different unit numbers, but it still might take a very long time to sell through enough models to make the bus a good business proposition.
The numbers might be better in diecast; it might be worth suggesting to Classic Metal Works.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
lvanhen wrote:I'd be curious as to how many of the Mini Metals/Walthers Greyhound & UP busses have sold. My LHS, which has a pretty good volume, has sold out of at least two orders in about 1 1/2 weeks each!! I know one guy who is buying at least 2 of each Greyhound destination!! There is a market if the price is closer to $20!!
I am surprised that the Classic Metal Works Greyhound buses were priced near the $20.00 level. I am not complaining but until the price was released I would have bet that the Mini-Metal buses would have sold nearer the $30.00 price that the Fishbowl buses were priced at.
Here's a sleek looking fleet of Trailways Eagles in the 1970s. Back then, Greyhound wasn't the only "game in town". photo credit-Trailways
Notice the pair of Eagle 0-1s on the left side, with the distinct 3-piece back window set. As mentioned, they certainly are handsome looking coaches. The rest of the buses are a mix of 0-1s and 0-5s. They're hard to tell apart from the front. BTW: Note the one GMC Fishbowl on the upper right.
Bill, Don. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I have sent an email to Classic Metal Works and attached this thread's link to it. Bill, if you don't mind: Please consider giving CMW your input since you are a representative of the 1/87th Club as it is respected among the quality, model vehicle manufacturers.
Here is Classic Metal Work's link: http://www.classicmetalworks.com/
As indicated on this thread and some of the bus forums, there are modelers that remember and even rode these coaches and are willing to buy them if produced
I would certainly be happy to support such a project. Don't know what (if any) influence I might have, but I would certainly add my two cents to the discussion.
One big question that's bound to come up: Does someone have access to detailed photos (exterior and interior), drawings or other information about the as-delivered Trailways O-1 that would help a modelmaker create an accurate replica? This could become an important consideration.
bcawthon wrote: I would certainly be happy to support such a project. Don't know what (if any) influence I might have, but I would certainly add my two cents to the discussion.One big question that's bound to come up: Does someone have access to detailed photos (exterior and interior), drawings or other information about the as-delivered Trailways O-1 that would help a modelmaker create an accurate replica? This could become an important consideration.
Great point. Here's what's frustrating for me and hope that you or members of your club can help. About 2 years back I was browsing through bus websites and happened upon a bus or transporation museum. The photo featured a bus from the 40s, but way in the background was an Eagle 0-1! I've tried finding that website to get the museum's name, but to no avail.
In my spare time, I search the web for bus related museums around North America and hope to find one or more that has an 0-1. The opportunity for photos and possible dimensional plans might present itself. I'm going to continue searching, but if any of your people come up with leads, please ask them to check it. Post the info here, or email to me and I'll pursue it.
Thanks!
nice to see this thred. glad you guys like busses to. i rode the grayhound and trailways bunches of times. woud be nice to have trailways busses from the old days on my layout. lot of them went into chicagao. anybody make one yet?
You obviously have not checked in the last year or so.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/category_s/1954.htm
Wow! Nice seeing this thread pop up again.
DJ, Don beat me to it, but a GMC Trailways unit is being produced. It is a beauty, yet, so ironic as that GMC coach is from further back in time than the mid to late 1960s Eagle 0-1 like this unit: Photo Credit: Redden Archives.
Although It's been a while, I haven't given up the search. I'm currently in contact with a gentleman who is a rail and bus fan. He emailed me recently stating that he owned an Eagle 01 before and has some diagrams and drawings that might be helpful. I'm hoping that he would be willing to scan his information and email it to the model manufacturers or email it to me so I can forward it to them, along with the info I have.