City Transit Buses

[siberianmo]

My Kingdom for the whereabouts of modern (1990's to present) U.S./Canadian city transit buses! All my research to date has essentially been circular and trips to the Great American Train Shows pretty much the same! Help - please.
Thanx[:)]

[jrbarney]

Siberianmo,
Are any of Pirate's buses modern enough ?
http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?quick=Pirate&start=0
Hope this helps
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[Eriediamond]

siberianmo, go to www.walthers.com and click on vehicles. I think you'll find what you are looking for there. Hope this helps you.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Buses? We don't need no stinkin' buses!

I couldn't resist, but I honestly have no love or use for buses, I view them as the enemy.

It was buses, and greed that brought about the demise of streetcar systems all over the world.

To further reinforce my already low opinion of buses, I spent over two years sharing the streets with these pigs, driving professionally as a courier.

I don't usually explode like this on newcomers, but I view it as being at least in bad taste, and perhaps almost rude, for someone to come to a model railroading website such as this and ask about buses.

I'm not angry, just mildly outraged, but I've vented on this topic, and feel better now. Sorry!

If it has FLANGED WHEELS, I like it!!!

[Noah Hofrichter]

Hey Siberianmo,

What exactly does you kingdom consist of[?] Are we talking engines, of cars, or scenery matierials, or good old cash[?][?]

Just joking [(-D][swg][(-D][swg][:P]
Noah[:P][:)][8D]

P.S.[#welcome][#welcome] Glad to have you with us

[DSchmitt]

I checked the following site . There are a few 1/87 Euporean buses listed. The only one even close is out of stock. There are also some 1/76 British buses. Three of them might be suitable as stand ins. Some 1/76 scale British trucks can pass for 1/87 scale.
I don't know if the buses can.

http://www.diecastdirect.com/default.asp?c=True

There are lots of buses suitable for O scale 1/50 and 1/43

[Jetrock]

I suppose buses that belonged to a railroad would be mildly tolerable--as a trolley fan, buses were definitely the enemy--in my hometown, the local trolley line was bought by National City Lines, a conglomerate owned by an oil company, a tire company, and a bus manufacturer, who bought up a lot of trolley lines and turned them into bus lines as soon as possible. Admittedly, my own city's system only had 3 trolley lines left, and had already bought 10 buses, several years before being bought by NCL...but buses are still the enemy.

I do hold a certain fondness some old buses--the streamlined buses of the Thirties and Forties often had dramatic, swooping lines that are visually very interesting--many railroad, interurban and trolley lines made use of these to make up for declining trolley and passenger ridership, both to supplant their rail-borne lines and to provide service to areas off the mainline where it was not practical to lay track.

There are plenty of modern buses in the Walthers catalog--even the European ones don't look too far off the mark for modern U.S. buses. There are only a few streamlined Forties type buses, though.

[siberianmo]

Thanx to all for your quick and informative responses - but .......

(1) To: jrbarney - Pirate's buses simply aren't available and suffer from the "indefinite out of stock" syndrome.
(2) To: Eriediamond - Walther's web site and/or catalog(s) don't have 'em either - believe me - I "live" on that site!
(3) To: Big-Boy_4005 - Wow! How do you really feel? But, but, but .... I have a city scene on my 35' x 15 1/2' HO layout and need some modern buses. I LOVE trains too - really!
(4) To: Noah Hofrichter - I better watch those generalizations, eh? My Kingdom is my U.S./Canadian HO railroad featuring VIA Rail, AMTRAK, BC Rail, CN and CP. It is primarily a passenger train heaven with a great Union Station with 8 tracks chock full of trains eagerly awaiting their departures. There is a mountain line - point to point - featuring BC Rail and VIA Rail RDC's making their way from mountain village to a far away depot. One day, once I master my digital camera techniques, I'll try and post some pix! Until then, how about a cold beer (or two) on me (preferably while sitting in an observation dome car)?
To: DSchmitt - I checked out the diecastdirect site (appreciate the tip) and couldn't find what I require. Thanx!
To: Jetrock - You need to get together with Big_Boy_4005! Nevertheless, my quest for 1990's to present (U.S./Canadian) tranist buses continues!

[Eriediamond]

Sorry couldn't be of more help to you and good luck on your quest.

[AntonioFP45]

Siberianmo

I'm with you 100%![swg][tup]

I'm a "train" person, but I'm a very strong believer that if you're going to model a city or town on a model railroad layout, IMHO, at least one bus should be present! Transit buses are the only mode of transport for millions in the U.S and Canada combined. Additionally, nearly all bus transit companies in the U.S provide convenient connections to any passenger train station in their town! Still true today.

One of my favorite model railroad layouts that was featured a few years back in Model Railroader was the HO town layout from Rick KuyKendall(it's now on a G.Keller Video) . Gorgeous, mid-sized American city, lots of cars on the streets. I commented to myself: "Where were the transit buses?" Due to the time period, a GMC "Old Look" 4500 series bus would have fit right into his scene> (The type of bus that Ralph Kramden from the "Honeymooners" show, drove).

Recently on a previous thread I became very excited because finally a manufacturer (Busch) is making the bubble faced, GMC "Fishbowl" bus that was produced in the 60s and 70s. Well built, very popular bus (Used in the movie SPEED). One of the responders stated that they're still being used in Ottowa, Canada. Now that's a legacy! You might consider getting one, at least as it can be justified in the present day. Busch also makes a modern R300 series type Europeon transit bus. Similar models can be found in North America.

From what I've seen at hobby and train shows, modern Europeon transit coaches are available in HO.

Try this, e-mail [e-mail]
Mr. Bill Cawthon of the 1/87 Club is great about returning e-mail inquires. He's a great resource and was the person that told me a year ago that a manufacturer was going to introuduce a fishbowl bus, but asked me to keep it quiet until it was official.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

Buses? We don't need no stinkin' buses!

I couldn't resist, but I honestly have no love or use for buses, I view them as the enemy.

It was buses, and greed that brought about the demise of streetcar systems all over the world.

To further reinforce my already low opinion of buses, I spent over two years sharing the streets with these pigs, driving professionally as a courier.

I don't usually explode like this on newcomers, but I view it as being at least in bad taste, and perhaps almost rude, for someone to come to a model railroading website such as this and ask about buses.

I'm not angry, just mildly outraged, but I've vented on this topic, and feel better now. Sorry!

If it has FLANGED WHEELS, I like it!!!

How do you think I feel?? I build the real deal for a living and I have to live in the same house as Big Boy. [:(][;)]

Being a bus builder is "the dirty little secret" we never talk about.[*^_^*]

[Big_Boy_4005]

Well Siberianmo, as long as the buses just sit on the train layout, I can live with that.[swg][swg][swg]

My original remarks were half humor and half serious, I'm glad you were able to see the humor, thanks.[:D]

I have noticed that Jetrock likes his rails in the street, so I wasn't surprised to have a little company there.[8D]

Ironic, ain't it with the way I feel about buses, that I would let someone who builds them for a living, live under the same roof with me, but she has other qualities that allow me to overlook that fact. Beside, she's looking for a different job these days anyway.[banghead][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

By the way, the local bus service here used to go by their initials MTC, but the local streetcar fans have long called them the "EMPTY SEAT" !!!! [:D][:D][:D][:D][^]

With all of that said, good luck in your quest.[:)]

[Eriediamond]

OH-OH Big-boy, After seeing the the way you feel about buses, I better be careful and not let you now I'm an over the road trucker. I do haul some railroad equipent some times, does that count??? [:-,][:-,][sigh][sigh][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Eriediamond

OH-OH Big-boy, After seeing the the way you feel about buses, I better be careful and not let you now I'm an over the road trucker. I do haul some railroad equipent some times, does that count??? [:-,][:-,][sigh][sigh][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

I think you've got me pegged now!!! [;)][;)][:D][:D][:D]

I will spare you all my further rath, as long as you like trains!!![:P][(-D][(-D][(-D]

[AntonioFP45]

[:)] Big_Boy_4005
Big_Girl_4005,
JetRock

[;)]I worked on buses for over 15 years. Even though I've liked them since childhood, I admit that trolleys are much cleaner and energy efficient.

[:P] If it's any consolation to you all, Tampa, Florida now has a REAL TROLLEY LINE! It runs between Ybor City and Downtown Tampa. The air conditioned cars are replicas of trolley cars from the 1920s-30s. This beautiful line was finished last year and is run by (yes, you guessed it) the local bus transit authority! The ride is enjoyable and takes about 20 minutes to go from one end to the other. Cars are yellow with red trim. Interiors are wood varnished. The staions are platform level and wheelchair accesible. If you ever visit the Tampa area, the trolley ride is worth it. Ybor city, slightly resembles "New Orleans" but with a Italian/Hispanic flavor. The trolley barn is located in Ybor City. Though new, the barn's architecture reflects the early 20th century[tup]. I forgot the exact web site, but just go to your search engine and type in Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, Tampa Florida.

Interesting note: the trolley line crosses over CSX's main line that goes from Tampa to New York. There is a signal at the crossing. All trolleys must make an Absolute STOP. Each operator must then must call the CSX dispatcher by radio to get permission to proceed past the crossing, regarless whether there is a train in the block or not. NO EXCEPTIONS.

I vaguely remember that last year there was supposedly an "incident" where a trolley "violated" a CSX's local freight train's right of way, though there was never any danger as the CSX geep was either stopped or still far distant.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

[:)] Big_Boy_4005
Big_Girl_4005,
JetRock

[;)]I worked on buses for over 15 years. Even though I've liked them since childhood, I admit that trolleys are much cleaner and energy efficient.

You have our symapathies Antonio, and I speak for myself and Big Girl, who is still sleeping, since she has the day off.[:D][:D][;)] I guess her buses will have to wait.

The Tampa trolly sounds cool. Its funny how all of a sudden so many major metropolitan areas are turning back to the rails after all these years.

The Twin Cities will be opening their new line later this year, almost 50 years to the day, after the close of one of the nations greatest streetcar systems. I only wi***hat I had been born 15 years earlier so that I could have riden it, and remembered.

I will ride the new line, even though it doesn't serve any use to me as transportation, since it doesn't really go where I need to go. On the other hand neither do any of the buses.[^][:D][:D][;)]

[siberianmo]

Ask a simple question and then sit back and enjoy the show!

Unbelievable, but appreciated! And to think that Big_Boy_4005 and Big_Girl_4005
became Loco and Tender ......

For: Antonio FP45 - Absolutely correct - what's a city scene without at least
one transit bus?! BUT - trying to find the models that correctly fit into the
era is another story. Those buses you refer to bring back many fond memories
for I was a frequent rider of the GMC's, Mack's and White's of the era that
I represent! Ah, those are great memories. BUT - trains is where it's at!
So, back to reality for me and thanx for the response and e-mail tip!

Before closing this subject - I do have three of those North American Tour buses (Herpa) and two 50's type transit buses (American Precision) complementing my city scene and Bachmann Spectrum Bus Depot. Close inspection reveals that they just don't belong.
The quest continues .......

Thanx to all and no doubt we'll be reading one another from time to time!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by siberianmo

Ask a simple question and then sit back and enjoy the show!

Unbelievable, but appreciated! And to think that Big_Boy_4005 and Big_Girl_4005
became Loco and Tender ......


Thanx to all and no doubt we'll be reading one another from time to time!

Siberianmo,.

Your loco and tender is apt in more ways than one........[:D][:D][^] But I am going to claim the "tender" part and leave the "loco" part for Big_Boy[:p][:p]

[Big_Boy_4005]

That was a great play on words if you intended it, and even better if you didn't.[bow][swg][(-D][(-D][(-D]

[Jetrock]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45


[;)]I worked on buses for over 15 years. Even though I've liked them since childhood, I admit that trolleys are much cleaner and energy efficient.

[:P] If it's any consolation to you all, Tampa, Florida now has a REAL TROLLEY LINE! It runs between Ybor City and Downtown Tampa. The air conditioned cars are replicas of trolley cars from the 1920s-30s. This beautiful line was finished last year and is run by (yes, you guessed it) the local bus transit authority! The ride is enjoyable and takes about 20 minutes to go from one end to the other. Cars are yellow with red trim. Interiors are wood varnished. The staions are platform level and wheelchair accesible. If you ever visit the Tampa area, the trolley ride is worth it. Ybor city, slightly resembles "New Orleans" but with a Italian/Hispanic flavor. The trolley barn is located in Ybor City. Though new, the barn's architecture reflects the early 20th century[tup]. I forgot the exact web site, but just go to your search engine and type in Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, Tampa Florida.

Sounds neat! Sacramento has had an active light-rail transit system since 1987, which runs through the downtown area and has feeders to outlying suburbs--it has practically reached interurban dimensions, as it currently reaches three independent cities (Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, Sacramento) and is preparing to reach a fourth (Folsom.) It would be six, if the other two weren't still stuck in a trolley-phobic mindset. The cars are of modern type but there is continual talk of running at least one of Sacramento's heritage trolleys, and with the growing interest in Sacramento's history I wouldn't be surprised to see either a reconditioned historic trolley or reproductions running around downtown before too long.

Even the conventional buses are now mostly natural gas models rather than stinky diesels, and there is also talk of upgrading those to hydrogen fuel-cell versions before the next decade is out. But the longer-range commutes are definitely where the light rail comes into their own--as the Folsom line is completed, frustrated rush-hour commuters will sit stopped in traffic and see people reading the paper and napping on the light rail as it whizzes past at 70 MPH and maybe, just maybe, they'll decide that's a better way to go...

[bsteel4065]

Hi Siberianmo
To get back to the subject........
Try www.modelbuses.com
Should be helpful.

[Anonymous]

I think I'm going to get ex-comunicated now. Not only do I have busses in one of my cities but they run on the Faller system. Sorry Big Boy.

[trainfan1221]

I ride busses everyday. The trains don`t run when I need. They`re all right, just not very reliable, supposedly due to traffic.
I didn`t know Tampa hac a trolly line. The only time I was in Tampa, I got mugged.

[AntonioFP45]

TrainFan1221,

[V]Sorry to read that you got mugged. Tampa is actually not a bad town. There are a few rough areas, like any other American city, but crime can occur anywhere. Being that Tampa is right next to the bay and has an excellent climate, tourists can be potential targets.

[:)][8D]I really do hope you consider visiting again. The airport is top notch and Amtrak's Palmetto drops you off at the beautifully restored Tampa Union Station, which is on the eastern edge of Downtown.

[siberianmo]

I surrender! Thanx for all the related and unrelated info - however, it doesn't appear that I will be locating any modern (1990's to present) U.S./Canadian city transit buses in 1/87scale any time soon.

For bsteel4065: Appreciate staying on the subject and your advice. However, American Precision Models offers the past tense - way in the past! Thanx anyway.

For Big_Boy_4005/Big_Girl_4005 (Loco & Tender): Glad you enjoyed the play on words - it was intended.

[Anonymous]

Siber:

Not really my field or era but I suggest you have a look at http://www.1-87vehicles.org which is a comprehensive index of makers of 1-87 vehicles. A quick scan shows several period bus listings, including a flexable MAN bus which was inported in the 1990s and is still in wide service here in San Diego

Hope this helps you.

Randy

[Anonymous]

Antonio FB45, if you check the Faller busses and ttrucks you will see they are not too much different than ours. The only thing would be to repaint and put your own lettering on. Check it out.

[trainfan1221]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

TrainFan1221,

[V]Sorry to read that you got mugged. Tampa is actually not a bad town. There are a few rough areas, like any other American city, but crime can occur anywhere. Being that Tampa is right next to the bay and has an excellent climate, tourists can be potential targets.

[:)][8D]I really do hope you consider visiting again. The airport is top notch and Amtrak's Palmetto drops you off at the beautifully restored Tampa Union Station, which is on the eastern edge of Downtown.

Thanks for the update, I know there is a lot of history there. Incidentally, I got mugged checking out a railyard not far from the Amtrak depot. It figures, huh?
Back around 1990.

[AntonioFP45]

Trainfan1221,[:0][:D]

That explains it! [:0][;)]The area immedietly next to Tampa yard was often rather desolate and lonely. Tampa Yard gets busy around 4p.m, usually with a CSX GP38. The local then departs at about 5p.m as it has been for about 25 years. It's a little saddening for me as I used to ride my bike to this yard in the late 70s and it would often be busy 10 to 12 hours a day! As a consolation, during January this yard is really buzzing as the Ringling Bros. Circus train is parked here. The train is broken up in batches of cars with the performers and crew living here.

Overal things are a much better now since 1990 as the area has gone through a major "revitilization". Tampa Union Station has been restored, many old buildings are being rebuilt , businesses are moving back in. Just southeast of the station, the port of Tampa, the Florida Aquarium and a harbor mall opened up. Big passenger ships dock at the port. The port area received a multimillion dollar face lift. Big difference. The trolley line is just a few blocks east of Tampa yard and runs right to the aquarium and the port on its way to downtown from Ybor City.

I think you'll like Tampa a lot better next time. Still, always use caution. Don't forget to visit Happy Hobo Trains and Chester Holley MRR Specialists on your next visit![:D][8D][8)][:)][^]

[Anonymous]

I wi***hat they would make models of the GMC/TMC/Novabus RTS models O scale buses, Including Neoplan AN440 Transliners O scale. Flxibles (New Looks and Metros) Gilligs and Fishbowls.....oh wait they are making fishbowls/...