BusTalk

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"BLUE BIRD", a now-defunct company, was another long-established family-owned company, whose roots dated back to 1915.

The July, 1998 issue of "BUS WORLD" ran an excellent story on the company, also featuring some vintage and modern-era photos.

See;

https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Blue_Bird_Coach_Lines

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Not so much a "family" outfit, but a now-defunct "local" company that not only has a rich history, but a proud legacy as well, which deserves at least a mention here........

www.ourstate.com/winston-salem-safe-bus *

A few historic photos are also on this page (scroll down for article)

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"Road To Riches" ("BLUE BIRD")

This enterprising gentleman (Joe Magnano) founded a small taxi company in Olean, New York, in 1918.

By the mid-1920's, he already had a handful of autos in use as taxicabs; by the late 1920's, Joe Magnano was purchasing new Yellow cabs.

By 1941, "BLUE BIRD COACH LINES" was established, and began local service; as time went on, only one of Joe's son's showed any interest in the family transportation business. This was Lou, born in 1931.

In later years, after college and the Army, Lou decided it was time to take a leap of faith towards a new direction in the ground transportation industry.

Lou then talked his father into purchasing several used buses; these buses would mark the company's shift into the charter business.

In 1955, the company obtained its original charter rights with the authority to operate buses in 13 states; by 1998, the buses were traveling to all continental states, as well as Alaska and Canada.

The company was known by its many brochures, promotional gimmicks, give-aways, and newspaper advertising; the company also advertised on the radio,

A number of second-hand buses were in service; the first new buses bought were several 4106's, purchased especially for service to the 1964 World's Fair.

Other (later) new buses included P8M-4905's, which were, interestingly, equipped with a galley.

By the 1990's,"BLUE BIRD WORLD TRAVEL" was arranging tours via bus, sea, and air.

In March, 1998, COACH USA had finalized the purchase of BLUE BIRD.......

"NYO"

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Just came across this page (the diverse "Parade Of Buses" photo, indeed, really rocks; also, check out that classic ACF-BRILL!)

Amazing what a vast, diverse empire sprang from just a humble Hupmobile........

https://www.busandmotorcoachnews.com/motorcoach-history-innovation-celebrated/

[traildriver]

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traildriver:

I have often wondered the same thing; I've long thought about just what sort of a "working" relationship (if any) existed between the Museum and GREYHOUND.

I have a postcard (1980's?) showing GREYHOUND's then-current (and impressive!) historic fleet:

HUPMOBILE

1931 MACK

SUPERCOACH

SILVERSIDES

ACF-BRILL

SCENICRUISER

"NYO"

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See also:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greyhound_Bus_Museum *

*Note that the current Museum fleet also includes two "Bison" (PD-4106/4107), MC-8 "AMERICRUISER", MC-9, EAGLE 10, MC-12.......

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Here's the link to the Museum's website......

www.greyhoundbusmuseum.org

* www.greyhoundbusmuseum.org/buses.html

*(photos of Museum fleet buses)

**Note the rare (and handsome!) 1955 "Courier" that is now part of the Museum fleet.....

(That 1947 "Battle Of Britain" indeed, looked QUITE formidable!)

Recall, that this style was originally built by YELLOW (PD/PG series)

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Further:

The YELLOW prototype (PD-3301) was completed in June, 1941; it went into production in 1942/1943 as the PD/PG 3301.

There is a photo in William A. Luke's "YELLOW COACH BUSES", showing a 3301 (which was only produced in 1942)

On the side of the bus is the familiar "Running Dog" and lettering for "NEW MEXICO TRANSPORTATION CO., INC."

The photo caption states that this company became affiliated with GREYHOUND, which gave the company permission to display the "Running Dog" on its buses.

In this photo, both the front and side roller curtains display the reading "SECOND SECTION"......

"NYO"

[traildriver]

As far as I know, Greyhound only gave those companies in which it held at least a minority or higher financial interest to display their logo. Just being a pool partner was not enough...

New Mexico Transportation
Southern Kansas Greyhound Lines (or later just 'KG')
Texas, New Mexico, & Oklahoma
Crown Coach Lines (not Crown Transit Lines)

There were other's.

Some companies not until much more recently, when acquired by GL, such as
Vermont Transit
and former rival Carolina Trailways

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traildriver:

Appreciate the input, as always.

"SKG".......

In William A. Luke's "TRAILWAYS BUSES", there is a sharp photo (which we have discussed in the past) of a 1964 EAGLE model 01, lettered "SKG LINES", with the "running dog" over a SANTA FE TRAILWAYS emblem.

According to the caption, SKG was half-owned by TRAILWAYS, with GREYHOUND owning the other half (this, of course, I know you are already well aware of)........

"NYO"

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Here's an interesting little story on the Greyhound Museum (w/ a few photos).......

www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2131

[traildriver]

It's too bad such an iconic entity like Greyhound Lines doesn't appear to be connected to its namesake museum. Unfortunately when the museum opened in 1989, Greyhound had already began its long slow decline, and probably couldn't afford to give it much support...

Contrast that with the American Airlines, C R Smith museum at DFW....

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Just one of my thoughts......

As GREYHOUND once served so many large metropolitan areas, as well as suburban towns, and rural hamlets, in a perfect world, I would think it would have been fitting to have signs posted in (at least some) of the smaller communities, to the effect that GREYHOUND once called here, and, perhaps, give newer folks in that particular community a deeper sense of their local history.

Or, at the very least, some sort of marker, perhaps at the site of a former GREYHOUND depot.

Too, it would indeed also have a sobering effect on some, as to seeing for themselves just how much of they....and their community......have lost........

"NYO"