New Busch American City Bus on its way

Busch’s long-awaited model of the American “Fishbowl” City Bus is finally on its way to your LHS. Get your orders in at your favorite hobby retailer.

Bill,

Thanks for the wonderful news!

Finally, a decent model of a bus that I grew up with and rode often.

I hope some of you modelers here with HO towns or cities consider having one or two of these coaches on your town’s streets. They fit any time period between 1959-1990.
I like the Fishbowl bus because the body design and rugged durability were as American as apple pie. The GMC Fishbowl bus and its competitor, the Flxibile “New Look” (similar body style) were testaments to the old “built to last” American standard of years ago.

(BTW: There is at least one Canadian city still using these!)

I just checked out Walthers - they are showing a 30 Sep 2005 availability date. However, for those of us who have been following this … that’s about the 3rd (or more) change to the date.

Don’t know what the hang up is with some of these manufacturers - but just to get a couple of these beauties will be worth the wait - and wait - and wait …

See ya later! [swg]

Don’t feel bad, Siberianmo. At least we know that they’re coming for sure.

Some of us have been waiting 3 years now for the “Tsunami” sound decoder. I really hope for Soundtraxx that it doesn’t flop due to the competition from Digitrax and LokSound. [D)][(-D]

AntonioFP45

After a long career in the military, the hurry up 'n wait syndrome continues into model railroading! [swg]

I just don’t get it with buses for HO. Unless they are Euro’s, you just cannot find anything to use on a layout that is prototypical to the 1990’s thru present times (which is what I model). I’ve got several of those Herpa “Wild” tour buses - and they sorta work, and a couple of rather vintage American Precision Models 1950’s transit jobs sitting in my bus depot. Would love to one day update those … No sweat finding cars and trucks. What IS it with buses [?]

Tom

I’ll be looking foreward to buying a few of these

siberianmo-It’s not just buses, any rapid transit models are extremely hard to find (frustrating for a NYC modeler)

The Busch model, originally set for release in 2004, got bumped by some special jobs for Audi and Mercedes-Benz. It was then delayed because General Motors would not approve the license, a topic that has been discussed elsewhere. Busch finally got tired of waiting on GM and is releasing the model as the American “Fishbowl” bus.

GM may scream and shout, but I don’t know there’s much they can do. The last real TDH-5301 was delivered in January 1963, well over thirty years ago. Under German trademark law, that means a model can be made without a license. Of course, that may not cover models sold outside of Germany, but I won’t tell GM if you won’t.[;)]

Tom, you’re right!

Why so few American bus models? Having worked for a transit company for 15 years I think I can share an interesting factor as to why.

I’ve read about this so many times and it always irks me:[:(!]

Guys, not all, but many people in the U.S over the age of 35 viewed transit buses with a “stigma” or negative light because they were “taught to!”

Yes, seems nutty but the fishbowl bus was introduced during a changing era when it became very popular with transit companies during the 1960s. Remember, this was the beginning of the “White Flight” from many American cities. Professional jobs were moving out of the urban areas to brand new suburbs. The big 3 automakers were touting new cars as status symbols for the successful. The public went “Ga-Ga” with the Mustang and the re-designed luxury cars with clean boxy body lines. There were far more commercials touting the new “styling” from Detroit. [8D][8D][8D][8D]

So, by the 1970s the view of transit by many in the U.S was seen as a**“Social Service”** that was needed to transport many of the poor, indigent, or “lower class” workers that were unable to drive. My boss at the transit agency was so frustrated with this view that persisted in the 1980s.

I still remember as a kid that people would be “embarassed” to say that they got around by bus! [V] Managers at many companies unconciously looked down at their professional staff members that commuted to work by bus instead of driving their new Buick or Cadillac to work. “So, Morgan…you actually take the bus to work??? Hmmm. You poor ***! Well, you’ve got my sympathy.” Never mind that Morgan is sick of paying high parking fees and being stuck in traffic. [banghead]

Upper Middle Income parents didn’t want their kids taking “the bus” to work or to college classes. So for

AntonioFP45

That’s quite a bit of info to digest on the subject of transit and buses. I couldn’t begin to comment on everything you’ve had to say, aside from maybe in an area or two that I can relate to.

There probably has always been a mindset that has put certain of us in categories relelvant to social and financial circumstances. I haven’t a clue how to go about making those kinds of changes. Nonetheless, riding buses surely shouldn’t be equated with being a member of an underclass.

I grew up in NYC and rode all kinds of transit back in the 40’s and 50’s. It was THE way to get around. Bus service was wonderful and I can recall - get this - taking my date on a city bus to and from the Prom in High School. [yeah] The Prom! Can you imagine that in today’s world where something like a Prom held in the shcool’s Gym has turned into a mega-buck affair with gals 'n guys dressed to the 9’s with limo service, fancy restaurants and the like [?] Yikes. Ride a bus - [yeah] right.

Anyway, in my travels over my adult life and living in largely suburban areas all over this land of ours, the automobile was (and is) far easier to use and surely more convenient. Yes - it’s an expense - but we seem to abosrb the costs, don’t we [?]

Now, as far as the hobby goes - I’ll never understand what the deal is with no transit buses, much less any others, that are reflective of the types we see and use in America in the late 20th Century to present times. Surely it can’t be a deliberate thing with the manufacturers - what’s the point [?] Good grief, Americans spend large amounts of green on model trains and accessories. So, I’d think modern U.S. HO buses would be snapped up.

Oh well, what do I know [?] I’m just a guy who lives in the past through my hobby.

Tom

Trolleys and interurban equipment, as well as commuter rail in general, got the same sort of social stigma–which may explain why trolley modeling was a shrinking segment of the modeling market for so many years. It’s coming back, but we’re still a very small percentage of the hobby market. While trolley modelers have their own issues with buses (that’s what killed off the trolley!) a nice Forties or Fifties bus model is a nice thing to have.

Jetrock

I guess it kinda depends on where one lives with regard to the social stigma and transit. For example, when I lived and worked in the Boston, MA area, I used to commute in to North Station on the B&M RDC’s (what a treat!). There were all kinds of folks riding those trains - attache carrying business people, military people (that was me), students, blue collar workers, etc. If you’ve ever experienced the nightmare of Boston highways and traffic back in the era I’m referring to (late 60’s early 70’s), taking the commuter rail or subway system made far more sense. Of course, as a born 'n bred NYC kid, transit was second nature.

Fast forward to where I currently reside (St. Louis, MO area). I agree - there just may be a stigma 'round these parts for transit riders, moreso with buses than light-rail. And, as the price of gasoline rises, the snobbery seemingly is on the wane.

I concur with having models of a bus or two from my era - but I surely would like someone - anyone - to come up with a few choices for modern day U.S. transit AND long distance coaches in HO scale.

Tom

But it’s still odd…
For example, I model the Metro North in CT, which runs through the affluend Fairfield and New Haven counties, arguabley two of the richest areas in the country, and has for nearly a century. So why the lack of models for me? Does the ‘shadow’ cast on mass transit extend to a circumstance like this, or is this just an unpopular area (ask that to anyone on any NH forum!!!)?

Guys, remember I’m a “bus fan”, but my opinions above are based on what I’ve read in magazines and journals. Also from what I’ve heard from people, including those in the hobby and transit industries,

I’m a New Yorker myself. As I kid, I was always thrilled whenever my mom took me and my sister for a bus or train ride back in the mid 60s-early 70s. I moved to Florida in the early 70s. As before, my dad took the car to work, so it was mom, me, and sis getting around by bus. We still enjoyed the ride!

But as I matured into my teenage years ( I was quite immature! ), I heard over-and-over of the “stigma” attached to using transit. It was viewed as a “burdensome but necessary tax-funded entity”…comparable to the sanitation department. That is the view I got over and over from different people. I felt that they were spoiled and ignorant. They didn’t realize how many poorer countries envied our air conditioned, tough-as-a-rock-buses and dependable transit schedules. Cuba was still using buses that were built in the 1940s, and they were tougher than their Russian replacements!

Siberanmo,
during the 70s, I asked at hobby shops why manufacturers were not producing American transit coaches. The general attitude? “Buses, uggh! Big deal!” It was worse than the attitudes towards American southeastern railroads, like the SCL. So when Pirate Models did come along with their $13 kits around 1976 or 77, I was elated. On the downside, however, sales were not remarkably high and the kits were not readily available… So, perhaps this is why other manufacturers did not jump on the bandwagon to produce HO and N scale American transit buses.

Face it, had modelers been consistently demanding HO and N RTR American buses, we would have had them years ago! I’m just glad we’re getting them now. I hope that many of the guys here decide to get one or more of the Busch models.

AntonioFP45

Geez - I’d never have guessed that you are a bus fan! [swg]

Back to the point of this thread - the release of the Fishbowl’s … they may or may NOT make that end of September date. The track record ain’t that good given what has been posted herein and from the experiences of those interested in acquiring them.

Regarding HO transit buses refelctive of modern day America: It just makes no sense to me whatsoever for there to be any reluctance for the manufacturers of vehciles to blow off this opportunity to satisfy hobbyists out here who want these items. My pike is not centered about a city - but a city scene is included. In order to make it realistic as possible, I’ve located a bus termianl (Bachmann) next to my Union Station (Walthers). The scene is set in the 1990’s to present time (as previously mentioned). It irritates me that I have to use either Euro buses or 1950’s transit in order to depict that street scene I’m looking for. Surely I’m not the only one thinking this way …

Conspiracy Theory or not … still makes absolutely no sense to me.

One day, perhaps I’ll find that Greyhound (modern) and a couple of late 20th Century transit buses that will complete my city scene …

See ya!

Tom

Tom,

I agree with you. But things have been changing. We may see more transit and commuter coach models in the future. Again, the manufacturer marketing analysts would want to make sure that the demand would justify the high cost investment.

BEST THING you, me and the rest of our fellow modelers can do is to give input to the manufacturers. One great source that has the ear of several manufacturers is the 1/87th Club, of which Bill Cawthon is a member. It was through their efforts that helped Busch decide to produce the Fishbowl.

Hopefully, Bill will chime in here and give us some suggestions and updates. You’re right, we do need more bus models! The Gillig Phantom, the MCI "Classic, the New Flyer, the MCI 102A3, the Golden Eagle II are just a few of the buses that would realistically complement modern American and Canadian themed layouts.

(BTW: I was a part-time Gray Line bus driver for 10 years!)

Peace.

AntonioFP45

I’ve always been a proponent for the adage, “The squeeky wheel get’s the grease.” My letters to several vehicle manufacturers were responded to, but with the “canned” sentences expected when you KNOW what you’ve requested is being “blown off.”

In my situation, I’ll benefit by the collective efforts of those of you who have more than a cursory interest in the availability of what should and could be fine representations of what is seen on our highways and city streets.

Gray Lline, eh [?] I suspect you are quite comfortable with driving and talking! [swg] So much for that sign, “No talking to the operator while the bus is in motion.” [;)] Whenever we’re in a place where there’s insufficient time to take in the sights, Gray Line has been there to provide the snapshot that always helps out for the next visit … then you KNOW where you want to go, or not … [tup]

See ya!

Tom

I received my buses yesterday. Got one of each and they are very nice.

Maybe it’s a Western thing–in California, trolley systems were replaced by buses, best-known in Los Angeles but also in Sacramento and elsewhere, due to the purchase of local trolley systems by National City Lines, but many trolley systems were already switching over to buses. Part of it had to do with the speed of suburban expansion in California after World War II–trolleys just couldn’t keep up with the rate at which West Coast cities were expanding, and the huge federally-funded highway system helped facilitate suburban flight.

I always liked traveling by public transit and bikes, I didn’t get my driver’s license until Iw as 25 because I didn’t like cars (but started riding Sacramento’s new trolley system as soon as it went into operation in 1987.) But in many Californians’ minds, public transit is equated with poverty–to the point where one nearby suburb (Elk Grove) rejected a Light Rail (trolley) branch running to their town because they didn’t want “those people” coming to their town on public transit.

Yep, and it’s such an ignorant trajedy! One thing we may see happening is that as fuel costs continue to skyrocket, many in the public that would normally “snub” riding the bus would seriously reconsider it. [;)]

Im another person who is happy about this new release. On all of my layouts, I always have some sort of town core, I took it to shows and people were oh wow look at this, cause it really is something, detailed and clean looking, however, I had no transit buses…so I got creative, I made my own. I made them out of paper, folded them together and painted our old tranist scheme on them, one is a MCI Classic, and the other is a Orion V bus. People saw this and went WOW because all of a sudden there was a vehicle that people see everyday and the models, well they look amazing from viewing distance, so it will be nice to have this bus, I already have 1/50 scale Corgi Fishbowls on my real fishbowl display shelf, but this new fishbowl bus will go nice with the other 2 buses that people learned to like around here, can’t wait to get one!