HO scale Scenicruiser

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know if there is a Greyhound or Trailways (preferably) available? I have looked everywhere and can't find one in HO. Scenicruiser preferred. Help me, Obi-wan!!!!

[AntonioFP45]

BeemerBoy, nice to see another bus fan!

Greyhound had more than one bus designated as a sceni-cruiser. The one most modelers and fans refer to is the "GMC PD" unit that had the huge hump towards the rear of the coach. Fortunately a bunch of these survive today as they've been rebuilt into RVs.

Ironically back in the late 70s early 80s there was a company that put out a cheap HO plastic sceni-cruiser that was molded in blue. Actually had great potential as it needed was a paint job, body detailing, scale size wheels, and glass windows . I had one of these and regretfully I lost it! Now I can kick myself! Once in a while these may show up on Ebay.

Take care!

[Anonymous]

Thanks, didn't think about ebay as I have been burned there occasionally. Guess I'll have to give it a shot or wait for some enterprising manufacturer to bring one out. I still think Continental Trailways had the better paint scheme.

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by beemerboy

Thanks, didn't think about ebay as I have been burned there occasionally. Guess I'll have to give it a shot or wait for some enterprising manufacturer to bring one out. I still think Continental Trailways had the better paint scheme.

Yep, I remember Trailways well back when I was a brat in the late 60s-early 70s. Greyhound was using those 3 axle GMC Scenicruisers and 2 axle GMC "Buffaloes". (The Buffaloes had the hump just behind the front entrance door.)

Trailways had the tall and narrow Eagle O-1, which to me was the "cooler looking" bus. That "basic" body style carried over to newer bus models. I liked Trailways cream and red "lightning stripe paint scheme. Really stood out on the highway.

For me, what's neat is that I"ve seen prototype O-1s still in service 35+ years later! A number of Church, clubs, and civic groups own them. As usual there are the RV conversions. Though by today's standards the 8 cylinder diesel O-1s would be fuel hogs, engine and transmission assemblies can be swapped out for smaller, more efficient power plants.

Priate Models produced the O-1 in HO scale. I do wonder why they didn't produce the GMC Scenicruiser since Greyhound was and still is the more popular bus system. Though a little older, Scenicruisers were in long distance service during the same time period as the Eagle O-1. By 1972, most Greyhound scenicruisers had been replaced by MCI's flagship coach, the MC-7.

[edo1039]

I just got one from here call and ask for TRIP.
http://www.truckstopmodels.com/index.htm

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45
...I've clicked on the link several times. I keep getting "Cannot find Server".

Antonio - I tried that link at 11:45am and it worked OK...[?]

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Ed,

I've clicked on the link several times. I keep getting "Cannot find Server".

Is there another link?

Does this work? You'll need to paint the model, but it looks pretty good.



And then there's:



They ain't cheap ($64.00 each), but if you need a bus or two...

Andre

[loathar]

WOW! Thanks for those links guys. GREAT sites!

[AntonioFP45]

Andre, you're the man!! Thanks.

Good to see that these American classics are available.

The first bus is an MCI model MC-7. After introduction, It was Greyhound's premier coach until the late 1970s. Some of them did have decals on the side that said "Scenicruiser". Powered by the Detroit Diesel 8V-71, these old girls could fly down the highway! I drove MC7s when I worked part time for Gulf Coast Gray Line back in the 80s and early 90s.

The 2nd model is the GMC "PD" series coach that was designated as "The Scenicruiser". Never drove one, but saw lots of them. They were loud!

One thing about the prototypes of both these buses: After racking up some high miles they were notorious for smoking it up like ALCOs!!

We used to have a joke about it.:
"If a Detroit Diesel ain't leaking oil, something's wrong with it!!

[edo1039]

Your welcome!!!

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Andre, you're the man!! Thanks.

Good to see that these American classics are available.

The first bus is an MCI model MC-7. After introduction, It was Greyhound's premier coach until the late 1970s. Some of them did have decals on the side that said "Scenicruiser". Powered by the Detroit Diesel 8V-71, these old girls could fly down the highway! I drove MC7s when I worked part time for Gulf Coast Gray Line back in the 80s and early 90s.

The 2nd model is the GMC "PD" series coach that was designated as "The Scenicruiser". Never drove one, but saw lots of them. They were loud!

One thing about the prototypes of both these buses: After racking up some high miles they were notorious for smoking it up like ALCOs!!

We used to have a joke about it.:
"If a Detroit Diesel ain't leaking oil, something's wrong with it!!

You're quite welcome. Unfortunately, these buses are a little bit too modern for my era. I need something like the 1948 Silverside shown here : http://www.greyhoundbusmuseum.org/#48silverside

Hmm. There's one on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/HO-scale-Silverside-Greyhound-bus_W0QQitemZ6009341292QQcategoryZ484QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Andre

[Anonymous]

Gentlemen, thank you very much for all the help. And, Andre, you are the man!. Now my layout to come will have service (by Trailways). I always liked their paint scheme better too. I even thought about painting my 71 VW bus the same scheme but was advised I could get into a lawsuit. Don't you just love lawyers? They are kind of like toilet tissue. You're glad they're around when you need them but keep them out of the living room. Actually, my older daughter is married to one and he has a lawyer sister. So I can't badmouth them too much. Yes, I can.

[AntonioFP45]

Beemer,

What are you going to use for Trailways buses? The O-1 or a previous model?

Did you check Pirate models or other manufacturer?

[douginut]

Having spent 10 years of my life DRIVING the busses in question. the original Scenicruiser PD4501, at the second and third owner's companies yes I can say that in the fifties the Scenicruisers were EXCLISIVE to Greyhound though several (two or three no more) were painted in Trainways colors for pool service in a couple (no more ) of runs. The original Trailways Eagles were built by Kassbohrer of Germany and subsequently asembled at Eagle Bus in Brownsville Texas. The MCI MC7 shown was made by MCI of Pembina North Dakota and for Canada IN Winnapeg Manitoba. .

Thanks for the Memories

Doug, in Utah

[GAPPLEG]

I also got the scenicruiser from Truckstop models, great looking kit, I haven't begun to assemble and paint mine yet. Rode many a mile in those as a kid in the 50's. had to have one on the layout.

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by GAPPLEG

I also got the scenicruiser from Truckstop models, great looking kit, I haven't begun to assemble and paint mine yet. Rode many a mile in those as a kid in the 50's. had to have one on the layout.

Just curious. Which paint brands are you going to use on it?

[GAPPLEG]

That is part of what is holding me up ! I'm trying to get hold of alclad paint to simulate the stainless steel sides, The blue I'm goingt to have to custom mix I guess. I use polly scale mostly these days.

[Anonymous]

Pirate models wants a gallon of blood and your firstborn kid. However, they may prove to be the best bet. As for paint, haven't decided. Have to dig thru my old mags for a Trailways ad so I can use their livery. Greyhound's OK but Trailways rules.

[AztecEagle]

TABunch Guys!!Especially The "Truck Stop Models" Website and the "Greg's Garage"webpage!!Wow!!Studebaker's;Packards;Hudsons;all the Cars you can find in Large Scale but not in HO!!WOWSAWOWSAWOWSA!!!Great Price Too!!!

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by GAPPLEG

That is part of what is holding me up ! I'm trying to get hold of alclad paint to simulate the stainless steel sides, The blue I'm goingt to have to custom mix I guess. I use polly scale mostly these days.

GapLeg,

Hobbytown USA (at least the ones in Brandon and Tampa, Florida) carries the entire Alclad II line, including the Stainless Steel and Chrome. If you can't get Alclad in your area, there are dealers around the U.S that will ship it to you.

I've experimented with Alclad II and all I can say is "Wow!" [:D]

In case you haven't tried Alclad II before, a few tips. For your bus, use a high gloss black undercoat rather than spraying flat black with a separate clear coat. Make sure the black goes on thin and even. Allow it to cure. There should be no dust, hair, or dirt on the finish. (My eyelashes are notorious for dropping hairs on models that I'm painting!)

When spraying, apply the Alclad II with very thin coats, as the Lacquer is chemically "hot" and can attack plastic if sprayed too thick. Take your time!

As you spray, at first, it looks strange. As you continue it then transforms into a work of art! After it dries, don't touch the finish with your hands. To protect it, apply a thin coat of gloss or sem-gloss clear. Yes, this will dull the sheen just a tad, but not much. Even when new, prototype stainless steel on buses and trains dulls a bit in the weather.

Hope this helps!

[GAPPLEG]

Thanks for the tis on Alclad, I did just finally order it from Squadron hobbies.I've heard about it being used on vehicles over and over, on the 1/87th vehicle website. Can't wait to use it.

[AntonioFP45]

Glad to be of help.

One more thing. Even though I speak highly of Acrylic paints, Scale Coat II Gloss Black seems to work well underneath Alclad metalizers. I'm going to be using it soon on several passenger cars I'm repainting.

As always, take your time when painting and don't rush between coats. After mixing paint, I always like to spray it on a junker freight car first to check my paint mix and my spray technique. (old Tyco and Bachmann cars come in handy for this).

[Curmudgeon]

Ah, yes, a GMC "PD" series coach.
Electric solenoid for reverse that failed all too often......everybody outta the bus and push us backwards out of the terminal.
Sometimes an engine rebuild would give them a strong "lope" at idle.
Funny sounding, revving up and down with nobody in the driver's seat.

Spent so time on a tour once welding the exhaust back together after it hung up on the rear bumper trying to go into a turn-around with too steep an angle....

Pull up parallel to a high curb or railroad tie curb, shut down and leave the door open, the air bags leaked off, settled down and lifted that 300-pound door off it's hinges and dropped it down.

Now THAT was fun getting back on.

TOC

[AntonioFP45]

I hear ya, Carmudgeon.

When I worked part time for Gulf Coast Gray Line, in the 80s and early 90s, we had a few "Million+ Mile GMC Buffaloes that were ready for the blow torch!

Since they were long paid for, the company wanted to milk every last possbile revenue mile out of them! (just like the railroads!) Two of them had several 3"+ diameter rust holes underneath the passenger windows. Sometimes the AC worked, sometimes they didn't. Though they were great at picking up speed, I remember the steering wheel wobbling in my hands and a uncooperative gear shift, though the ride was remarkably smooth.

During a run to Tampa Airport, my Buffalo threw a rod while I was in the center lane of the roadway! Though I didn't look, I wondered how many passing drivers were giving me the one finger salute as I sat there in that huge behemoth blocking traffic. All of us were so elated when those antiques were finally retired and Gray Line started buying the newer MCI models.

Just like the PD4501, those Buffaloes were great in their day, but poor maintenance on aging equipment will yeild poor performance.

Still, it was a good, friendly company to work for and I'm glad that they're still prospering today under the banner of MARTZ.