City Transit Buses

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
41

I Know alot about transit buses I think that any company would be glad to make 1:50 scale models look like the actuall like these:

1:50 scale bus types:

RTS models (Rapid Transit Series):; The Company that discover the Design for the
RTS transit bus is The General Motors Corporation. In 1977 Their first models were
slanted rear models that has been built from 1977 to 1980. The series # was 1 and 3. Squared rear GMC RTS’s was Designed in 1980. Models #4 and 6 build from 1980 to 1987. GMC Ceased the production and sold it to Transportation Manufacturing Corp. TMC was the second corporation to build the RTS same squared rear design as GMC from 1987 to 1991. When TMC RTS’s remained to still be squared rear but with new designed w/ different features. series 6 was built from 1987 to 1994. RTS series 8 was built with newly front features with wide enterence from 1991 to 1994. TMC was then changing the name to NovaBus. Novabus continue to bult RTS models models 6 and 8,
and The rear design on these buses are just as the same as the TMC. GMC RTS was
manufactured from Pontiac, Michigan, and TMC/NovaBus RTS’s manufactured from
Roswell, New Mexico.

Neoplan AN440:; This bus also know known as Transliner: In 1982, Neoplan
manufactered transit buses for some major cities. squared-models with air pressure
to open both front and rear doors. A/C is placed on top of buses some of them has
rear A/C. In other Cities they were known as Transliners, but here’s the thing. The
Transliners in Pennsylvania are also known as “Pennliners”. How about that, huh?

These buses are still being bult in Lamar Colorado.

Flxible: (New Looks, 870’s and Metros);; The buses were manufactured from
Ohio. The New Looks were built in Loudenville non A/C models and AC models were
built from 1960 to 78. They h

42

I debated buses and trolly busses, I have this eheim or whatever trolleybus system given to me, and its cool, but its more like a european prototype, but there were some trolleybuses like its design, front poles, but it doesnt match the prototype I look at, and there isnt any really commercial working models I want to do.
Since I am model railroader, thats what I am doing. Buses just for part of the non-operating scene if it suits.

43

Here’s another 1:50 scale bus idea

GMC/MCI/Novabus Classics:; In 1983 GMC came up with another bus that runs excellent as the RTS and the Fishbowls. It is called the Classic. These vehicles were
delivered to some of the cities in the US and all of them in canada.They are squary round models That was both transit and suburban .The GMC classics were manufactured from 1982 to 1987 passed the same design model to MCI(Motor Coach Industries). There were alot of these buses still delivered to canada to alot a transit agenices, plus here in the US in Los Angeles (Santa Monica Big Blue bus) Salt Lake City ,conneticuit and alot of Private Bus Companies in New York City, NY. The classics
was built by MCI from 1987 to 1994. Novabus took over the production and made the
enterence and the exit bigger. both popular in both US and canada, still being built

Flyer and AM General D800:; squary curvy transit buses that has the front windshield
built like the GMC fishbowls and The Flxible New Looks. The Flyer built the vehicles
from 1975 to 1978. The AMG made the same models only they were called the
Metropolitans. the buses bulit by AMG from 1974 to 1979 had cat eyed fron enterence.

But out of some of these models, they were made into Trolley buses or as we said it
"TRACKLESS TROLLEYS called the E800. They were not operated by gas or engine. They were operated from electricity from 2 overhear wires.

The Flyer D900 and E901. has different front feature with 2 sided windshields built from
1980 to 1986.

44

Go to http://www.rietze.de. Click on “Zum Shop,” “Rietze Modelle,” “1:87, Spur HO,” “Busse” and take your pick of MAN, Neoplan or Setra. The Neoplan Metroliner and Cityliner have been used in the U.S. (Pittsburgh had Metroliners). Setra does have a U.S. type bus but it’s more of a tour bus. I think you’ll find some of the S315s will do for a modern American city bus as will a couple of the MAN buses. You’ll need to clean off the printing with some Polly S ELO and do a paint job, but these are nice buses. They will run about $24.00 or so.

You can order direct from Rietze, but you will need to know a little German to do it. They do accept credit cards.

German Aircooled (http://www.germanaircooled.com/cart/index.php?page=shop/index does have a limited selection of the Rietze bus models.

T’ain’t perfect, but it’s the best I can offer right now.

Bill Cawthon

45

Better hang onto your hat: you’ve met someone who isn’t going make excuses for having something besides flanged wheels on a layout. In fact, I like scale cars and trucks as much as I like trains. But that’s just me and I sure as heck am not going to try to ram my tastes down somebody’s throat because their desires for their layout don’t match my ideas. That would be rude.

Yes, this is a model railroading forum. But unless we’re all going to stick with track on wood, that means there are going to be lots of topics - structures, trees, scenicking, figures and, yep, vehicles. We might even talk boats sometime. They’re all part of what it takes to make our layouts the worlds in miniature most of us want.

Bill C.

46

Bill,

Don’t worry. Big_Boy was just rattling everyone’s chain! His wife builds buses! So he was “just-a-teasin”.

Big Boy! Now look what you did! Go stand in the corner for 30 minutes!

Bill, it goes without saying that vehicles are a must on any reasonably realistic model railroad. There was a modeler (Ron Kuykendall) who appeared in MRR years back… His 1950s themed layout featured a mid-sized American town that was packed with cars and trucks in the streets. Was very impressive and is the inspiration for the layout I’ve designed.

I’m happy that Athearn is coming out with some 1950s-60s trucks! I believe they’re Macks.

Peace!

47

Antonio,

Where you been, good buddy? The Athearn Macks have been out long enough to sell through a couple of first runs.

There’s the Mack B, good from the early fifties to today, though it went out of production in the mid-1960s. Then there’s the Mack R, introduced in 1966 and produced almost to the end of the 20th century.

Currently both models are produced as single and tandem axle tractors, concrete mixers, dump trucks and wreckers and we’re working on them to get box vans and flatbeds, too.

And you’ve got the Athearn Ford Cs, good from 1956 to today (production ended late enough in 1990 that some were counted as 1991 trucks).

CMW has another nice truck headed our way. The word is out but I believe the official kickoff will be at iHobby Expo next month.

In addition, I understand ADP finally has an American dealer. These are resin models made in Germany, but there are some nice old Chevy, Dodge and Ford trucks in their assortment.

Incidentally, Walthers has already sold through their first shipment of the Busch “Fishbowl” buses, so you’ll need to check your LHS or wait until close to Christmas when Walthers is expecting a new shipment.

Bill C.

48

The NewFlyer D40 would also be another great idea for the 1:50 scale toy company.
The New Flyer Industries wuas established in 1987. buses are still operating in
San Francisco and other major cities in the US and canada. They’re somehow
operated desiel transit buses, but somehow like a trolley bus. because in the rear of these models, They are somewhat built like The Flyers and The AMG’s.

49

Neoplan man reminded me that Neoplan US has been making transit buses in the U.S. for over 20 years. An AN440 could be a very good model for several fleets.

50

Hey Bill,

Thanks for the heads up. My goof in not reading the info. You’re right, Athearn has had those Macks out for a little while. I was aware of their Ford C series as there’s a batch of them at my LHS.

I’ve been checking with my LHS regularly regarding those detailed GMC buses. Word is any day now. Looking forward to it! I’ve only been waiting 26 years!![:D]

51

I Had a dream last night about a few model layouts of Transit Philadelphia year 1983.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) bus and trolley and
train layout…

The buses that I’ve mention :

20 of 1:50 scale Slope Rear1980 GMC RTS II’s from Fleet # 8000-8264
16 1:50 scale 1982-1983 Neoplan AN440 Transliners from #8285-8584
6 1:50 Corgi Classic GMC Fishbowls as 1967-70 GMC 4150-4427 Referbished W/
rubber bumpers.
8 1:50Flxible New Looks (1972-74)from 6000-6665
5 1:50 AMG Trackless Trolleys from fleet 800-909.

9 Corgi Classics PCC cars as SEPTA
Imperial Hobbies :5 O scale Kawasaki LRV as The Subway-Surface/EX- Kansas City PCC
2 of St Petersburg Tram’s Ex Toronto Pulman-standerd PCC’s

HO scale 4 car Train-set of the Market Frankford Line (M-3’s)Subway Elevated.
HO scale 5 car Train-set of the Kawasaki B-IV’s Broad Street Subway

and A Few Silverliners models (budd,GE and St Louis Car . Co. side by side at good
ol’ Reading Terminal in Philadelphia

SEPTA 1983…

52

You forgot some MP54 consists running commuters! I lived in Phily from 1982 - 1986 and your dream sounds like a fantastic one!

53

Is there a good web site for prototypical city transit buses, with photos?

I’m trying to identify a bus before the fishbowl types. It was used in the early portion (1960) of the movie “A Bronx Tale.” Two rectangular windows made up the windshield. The passenger windows were almost square, with another “sun” window above each.

Thanks. Jim

54

Boy! Did this topic spark a lot of replies!!

Siberianmo–

I had been searching for city buses for a while, too. I finally found 1/87 scale buses by Road Champs in either a hobby shop or toy store. They are die cast vehicles, and my two original purchases were of buses painted for New York. I repainted them to match Philadelphia’s SEPTA system, filed off the rear number box, and have 2 perfectly fine buses. Then, I found a “souvenir” model of a SEPTA bus on their web site and bought it. I feel lucky to have 3 buses.

Whenever I had the chance to reply to “What kind of products would you like to see?” I always answered “contemporary city buses.” For whatever reason, these ubiquitous vehicles in reality are not available as models–even though some of the rarest trucks and cars are never seen on the road but always highlighted in catalogs and web sites.

Good luck in your hunt. I hope you find what you’re looking for. [8D]

55

(GULP) I uh errr umm, well I drive for Tri-met here in Portland Oreg.(our transit agency) and every line feeds our lightrail system. And I always bid on a line that is close to the UP mainline, and I’m known as “TRAINMAN”@ work! BigBoy and BigGirl that should qualify. doesn’t it?? :slight_smile: TrainsRMe

56

It’s bloomin’ amazin’ it is!

I began this thread to find modern day HO U.S./Canada city transit buses on 28 Feb 2004 and the “discussion” ended on 4 Mar 2004. Lots of fun and dead end streets …

For some strange reason, the thread reappeared on 8 Sep 2005 and lives on and on … whether it’s on point or not! [swg]

Perhaps it’s time to put this particular thread to rest and begin a new one … check out
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=43930&REPLY_ID=472411#472411

And it goes on and on … [tup]

My Kingdom for a modern day, North American HO city transit bus!

57

Hey Guess what transit bus Fans I’ve had 2 best dreams of all and no I’m not making this up

One of New York and one from Los Angeles.

  1. From New York City

Well as we all know that Corgi Classics has 2 products of the GMC Fishbowls that is NYCTA right? well guess what I was seeing of the 1:50 scale buses layout in the
replica of New York City.

7 Corgi Classics NYCTA Fishbowls roming around the streets under the elevated
structure with an HO scale NYC R5 subway train

To top it off There was over 100 1:50 scale 1981-85 NYCTA GMC RTS 4’s, 1986
GMC RTS 6’s, 1987-94 TMC RTS 6’s, and Nova RTS 6’s. on every street on the
large layout. along with 22 1:50 scale Flxible 870’s and 29 1:50 scale Flxible New Looks. 20 Orion V’s

2 Corgi Classics GM Fishbowls and 8 1:50 scale MCI Classics as New York Bus
Service

3 Corgi Fishbowls, 8 1985-86 GMC RTS’s, 7 MCI Classics, and 6 1994 TMC RTS 6 as
Green Bus Lines, 6 Orion V’s (bus bank

4 Corgi Fishbowls, 9 1985 GMC RTS’s , 8 MCI Classics, and 11 1994 TMC RTS’s
as COMMAND bus Company.

5 Corgi Fishbowls, 10 1985-86 GMC RTS’s, 10 1994 TMC RTS’s, 9 MCI Classics,
and 7 Orion 5’s as Triboro Coach.

7 Corgi Classic Fishbowls, 12 TMC RTS’s , 6 MCI Classics and 5 Orion V’s
as Queens Surface

5 Corgi Classics Fishbowls and 11 MCI Classics as GMC Fishbowls as
Liberty Lines Express.

alot of them layout with HO scale Subway trains of NYCTA, IND,IRT and BMT.
Both elevated and underground…

and Last but not least, custom rebuilt bus banks MC-9, MC-9A and MC-9B as the
Acadamy Private Bus Co.

58

another Dream Of Los Anegeles Califorina

There are a 3 Corgi Classics PCC cars as LAMTA,Pacific Electric and Fruit Salad
Coming out of the barn,

But There are New 1:50 scale buses of The Los Angeles County MTA.

56 1981 GMC RTS 4’s from fleet 8200-9139
20 1980 Flxible 870’s from fleet 7500-7729
23 1983-84 Neoplan AN440’s from fleet 3300-3714

22 Flxible Metros fleets 2500-2649,2700-2764,2800-2870,2900-2932.
11 1987 Neoplan AN440 Suburban from Fleet 1100-1189
45 1988-89 TMC RTS 6 from fleet 2000-2266,2300-2402, and 1970-1999
(Methonal)
23 1992 TMC RTS 6 “Methonal” from fleet 1201-1401
57 1995-99 Neoplan AN440 (CNG) 4500-4695, 4696-4793,6301-6600, and 6700-
6799

Roaming around the replica streets of Downtown LA. a 1:50 scale MTA GMC RTS # 8298 on the corner Hollywood and Santa Monica Blvd along w/ another 1:50 model bus of the MCI Classic as the Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines (Big Blue bus).

Sunset Blvd w/ the Fruit Salad PCC’s along w/ the 2 1988 Flxible Metros # 2500 and 2632 and a CNG Neoplan (6740).

5th and Flower with 4 GMC RTS 4’s (8567,8399,8448, and 8773) w/ the Montabello
bus Lines’ TMC RTS 6.

Replica of Centry Blvd, with MTA 1984 Neoplan (3435) and a 1988 TMC RTS 6 (2164).

…

59

I Think Corgi should make 1:50 scale Flxible New Looks
since the Old Looks are no longer in stock

60

Big Boy, whats the name of the new LRT Line? Its going from Downtown towards the Frdliey, Columbia Heights side, correct? Is it going to interchange with the Hiawatha Line.

I loved the Hiawatha line, so much fun!