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| History of MSBA Bus #699 (205538) | |
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| (205538) | |
History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Wed Aug 25 20:59:51 2010 In 1970, Nassau County ordered 35 model CCD-111 sister buses from the Flxible Corporation in Loudenville, Ohio for some of the private lines in the county which were in need of new equipment but did not have the funds available to do so. Fifteen were painted in this beautiful blue/white/silver scheme and distributed to a few of the private companies. This particular bus was numbered 666 and went to Mid Island Transit. However, that company went bankrupt shortly after this bus and five others were delivered to them. These six buses remained out of service until the bankruptcy was settled and then were given to Utility Lines (a subsidiary of Bee Line, Inc.), which operated them until 1973, when the Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority (MSBA) took over all of the private lines based in Nassau County. Some of the acquired buses were renumbered to avoid number duplication. Since Bee Line had already used the number 666 (GMC New Look) for a large number series (using most if not all of the 600-series numbers up to and including #698) for the buses in its fleet, #666 was renumbered as the oddball #699. It was later repainted in the New York City Transit Authority's light and dark blue with orange stripe scheme.In 1985, #699 was given a complete $85,000 overhaul by Perfect Body in New Jersey and repainted in the then-regular MSBA white with narrow blue and orange stripe scheme. I was fortunate in operating this fine vehicle on most of my runs from 1985 until 1991, and became quite impressed with its smooth running and operation. As the Orion Vs began arriving in 1991, #699 was removed from service and stored at the Zahn's retired bus facility until 1996, when I purchased it. Mr. Kim Kimball, General Manager of MSBA at the time this bus was retired, was deeply interested in preserving a number of buses and allocated #699 and GMC #810. It was entirely through his efforts that #699 is with us today. However, #810 was severely damaged somehow at Zahn's and its restoration costs would have been excessive, so it was scrapped. Unfortunately, Mr. Kimball retired in 1992 and any future preservation plans became moot. Around this time, all of the sister Flxible New Looks buses were retired and later scrapped, but one, #434, an ex-Hempstead Bus Company unit, was rehabbed by MSBA and ran for a few more years after 1991. I had the privilege of operating #434 most of the time, but, unfortunately, it developed a small transmission leak which took its final toll on the bus while I was deadheading to the Mitchel Field Depot; it was retired that evening. This was the last non-power steering bus in regular service and a great way to exercise one's arm muscles and to help keep a Bus Operator's stomach from expanding, which it did quite well. After its retirement, my stomach, well..... I purchased the bus in 1996 and shortly thereafter it was repainted into its original (Mid Island Transit) scheme. It was repainted again, in this same scheme, as shown in the photograph, in 2008. The bus operates as if it were new. This year it celebrates its 40th birthday, and, from time-to-time I am very happy and privileged to invite close friends to share rides with me. It has been as far south as Philadelphia and as far north as Hartford, which makes it far from being a "city" bus. |
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| (205543) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by AMoreira81 on Wed Aug 25 22:12:40 2010, in response to History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe Saitta on Wed Aug 25 20:59:51 2010. Thanks for that story. BTW, can you explain why the roll sign has N84 (i.e., what was the N84)? |
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| (205550) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Wed Aug 25 22:34:11 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by AMoreira81 on Wed Aug 25 22:12:40 2010. All buses which had roll signs had the route numbers N1 to N85. |
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| (205551) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Mac5689 on Wed Aug 25 22:34:16 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by AMoreira81 on Wed Aug 25 22:12:40 2010. I was thinking the same thing about the roll sign. That was truly a great story Mr. Saitta, i could picture that bus running in my head as i read it.I can't believe that MSBA had that bus running service until 1991. |
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| (205553) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Wed Aug 25 22:35:17 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Mac5689 on Wed Aug 25 22:34:16 2010. Believe it - I drove it. |
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| (205554) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by AMoreira81 on Wed Aug 25 22:35:25 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Mac5689 on Wed Aug 25 22:34:16 2010. Also a shame is that more former LIB units have not been preserved (actually, are there any others preserved except this one and the former Bee Line 617)? |
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| (205556) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Mac5689 on Wed Aug 25 22:38:40 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by AMoreira81 on Wed Aug 25 22:35:25 2010. Speaking of the former Bee-Line bus #617, what type of bus was it and it did also run for Alert Coach right? |
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| (205557) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Wed Aug 25 23:02:14 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by AMoreira81 on Wed Aug 25 22:35:25 2010. That's a long story, not to be told at this time. There is also #564, a GMC Old Look, which last time I saw it was operable, plus a number of Whites, non operating, which a good mechanical team could perhaps scrounge enough parts from the buses to make one operable. They are in upstate New York. |
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| (205583) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Westcode44 on Thu Aug 26 06:13:31 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by AMoreira81 on Wed Aug 25 22:12:40 2010. I always liked the N44 route.. :-)WE-44 |
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| (205587) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 07:49:54 2010, in response to History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe Saitta on Wed Aug 25 20:59:51 2010. Thanks for the history of #699. Any photos in the first MSBA scheme ?Bill Newkirk |
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| (205590) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 09:20:25 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 07:49:54 2010. Yes, but I have to find it - may take a while. No time right now to go through the unsorted section of my huge (250,000+) slide collection, as my eBay site (JPSPCC699) is very busy and I have a 30-day JetBlue pass which I'll start using very shortly. Soon as I find it, I'll post it - one of my co-workers at MSBA took the slide. |
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| (205591) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 09:22:48 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Westcode44 on Thu Aug 26 06:13:31 2010. Next time I photograph this bus, I'll make certain it's operating on this route so you can see the attractive area where this route went, and I'll set the destination sign up for it. By the way, I did obtain the parts necessary to fix the route sign mechanism from the original manufacturer. |
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| (205594) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by WayneJay on Thu Aug 26 09:32:41 2010, in response to History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe Saitta on Wed Aug 25 20:59:51 2010. Thanks for the history of #669. It's great that you have it. I never rode this bus, but I remember seeing it many times in the late 80s. It's too bad #810 couldn't be saved. |
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| (205596) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 09:39:10 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by WayneJay on Thu Aug 26 09:32:41 2010. Mr. Kim Kimball and I tried, and I was prepared to restore it, but someone - we never knew who - ran what we believe was a tow truck into #810 at some unknown point in time. |
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| (205620) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe V on Thu Aug 26 13:13:08 2010, in response to History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe Saitta on Wed Aug 25 20:59:51 2010. Is it safe to assume that no GM Fishbowl from any private company nor MSBA survives today ? |
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| (205621) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 13:30:25 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe V on Thu Aug 26 13:13:08 2010. Yes/no. As far as I know, there may still be a few out at Gershow Recycling in Patchogue. There were some for a long while but by this time may possibly have been scrapped. Some were ex-NYCTA, which included #5549, the only soft-seat bus on MSBA property. I drove this bus many, many times from its delivery to MSBA in 1995 until its retirement. Another great operating bus. It shoud have been preserved, but... I saw a photo of that bus at Gershow and just turned my head away from the photo. It was destroyed. But as to any MSBA / LI Bus GMC New Look buses that exist, there are none that I'm aware of. |
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| (205623) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Catfish 44 on Thu Aug 26 13:42:01 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe V on Thu Aug 26 13:13:08 2010. besides the 2 triboro coach corp from 1979. Boy I wish a green lines 'bowl was saved. 116 or 118 would have been good candidates. I believe there may be an old jamaica bus living in captivity |
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| (205627) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by 9 local on Thu Aug 26 14:46:24 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Catfish 44 on Thu Aug 26 13:42:01 2010. Jamaica 3001 lives on in Hershey, Pennsylvania. |
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| (205634) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Mr RT on Thu Aug 26 16:45:00 2010, in response to History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe Saitta on Wed Aug 25 20:59:51 2010. Will you be posting Part two soon, i.e. about a marriage that occured in that bus ?P.S. several of your friends remember your adventures get to and back from Rocky Hill, CT a few years ago. |
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| (205637) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 16:55:44 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Mr RT on Thu Aug 26 16:45:00 2010. The Rocky Hill adventure was the direct result of not using the bus for an extended period which resulted in the breakdown of the transmission seals and their being drawn into the transmission and jamming it, caused by the heat of that day and the extended journey. As to part two, the parties have requested privacy. |
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| (205651) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 19:57:13 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 13:30:25 2010. Yes/no. As far as I know, there may still be a few out at Gershow Recycling in Patchogue.Patchogue or Medford ? I know of the Gershow facility in Medford where back in the early 90's, I saw and photographed NYCTA 'batwing' fishbowls piled up. I was not inside the property by the LIRR Main line in back. There were some for a long while but by this time may possibly have been scrapped. Perhaps a search of the OMOT website to see if any are in private collections ? All you would need are the model and serial numbers. I know, it's a long shot at best. As far as retired MSBA buses, I photographed two retired fishbowls on someone's private property back in the 80's. To give you an idea where I was, I was in Valley Stream. To my back was the elevated LIRR Montauk Div, to my right was the West Hempstead branch off. I think the property was some heating oil garage. They weren't 800 series but ones from the private days. Chances are, they may not have survived, but if I can scan the slide, I'll e-mail it to you. Bill Newkirk |
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| (205652) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Mac5689 on Thu Aug 26 20:05:44 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 19:57:13 2010. I think he means Medford, because the Gershow website didn't list a place in Patchouge. Unless they were in Patchouge back in the 80 and early 90's. |
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| (205657) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 20:25:28 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 19:57:13 2010. Thank you for this information; I never realized there were two privately-held Fishbowls. About 20 years ago, I passed a Mack stored in the backyard of a private yard in Freeport, but failed to note the location and was never able to find it again. Also, for many years, there was a Jamaica Buses Mack on Merrick Road in South Jamaica stored right in the open and highly visible. I doubt it's still there and again I don't remember where but 109th Avenue sticks in my mind.I certainly would appreciate a scan of the slide. |
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| (205658) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 20:27:42 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 19:57:13 2010. Sorry I forgot to answer your question re Gershow. I don't know which facility, as I've never been there personally. The photos I have were provided by a good friend. And the NYCTA Fishbowls you may have seen may have also included some ex-MSBA ex-NYCTA units. |
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| (205660) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by fishbowls4ever on Thu Aug 26 20:28:55 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 19:57:13 2010. Any possability i can see the picture of the piled up batwing fishbowls? |
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| (205662) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 20:36:49 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by fishbowls4ever on Thu Aug 26 20:28:55 2010. Sorry, but I never said anything about batwing Fishbowls. |
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| (205663) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 20:41:54 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 20:25:28 2010. I passed a Mack stored in the backyard of a private yard in Freeport, but failed to note the location and was never able to find it again.About 25 years ago, I spotted a Mack bus in Lybrook (?) on a gas station lot. It was painted silver roof and dark blue sides and was marked "Nassau Police Boys Club". Same bus ? Bill Newkirk |
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| (205664) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 20:46:22 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 20:27:42 2010. I don't know which facility, as I've never been there personally.The Medford facility is south of the LIRR Main Line on the first street, and east of Rte. 112 for your info. You can't see much on the access road, but at one time you saw more on the LIRR ROW. But that was back in the early 90's. I'll try the scan maybe tomorrow. Bill Newkirk |
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| (205665) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 20:48:30 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 20:36:49 2010. Sorry, but I never said anything about batwing Fishbowls.It was me, the ones I photographed at Gershow in the early 90's. A truly depressing sight. Bill Newkirk |
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| (205666) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 20:50:36 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by fishbowls4ever on Thu Aug 26 20:28:55 2010. Any possability i can see the picture of the piled up batwing fishbowls?I finally got my slide scanner running, but am not familiar with hosting photos at hosting sites. Maybe I'll have someone post them if I find the time. Bill Newkirk |
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| (205667) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 21:04:10 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 20:41:54 2010. I really don't remember, and don't want to give you information I'm not certain of. |
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| (205668) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 21:04:29 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 20:46:22 2010. Thank you. |
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| (205670) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 21:04:46 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 20:48:30 2010. Ok. |
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| (205671) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 21:05:37 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 20:50:36 2010. If you have a Mac, as I do, I can show you. Mac has its own hosting site that I use. Others I'm not familiar with. |
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| (205675) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by fishbowls4ever on Thu Aug 26 21:36:22 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 20:46:22 2010. thank you |
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| (205676) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Westcode44 on Thu Aug 26 21:43:58 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 16:55:44 2010. YEAH I remember that..thank god it happened where it was. "That bus smokes and slides" was the adventure of Rockyhill. :-)I am hoping to get re-married on 699 one day, either that or the S.I.R.T. Car. WE-44 |
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| (205677) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Westcode44 on Thu Aug 26 21:44:10 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 16:55:44 2010. YEAH I remember that..thank god it happened where it was. "That bus smokes and slides" was the adventure of Rockyhill. :-)I am hoping to get re-married on 699 one day, either that or the S.I.R.T. Car. WE-44 |
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| (205680) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 21:55:49 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Westcode44 on Thu Aug 26 21:44:10 2010. Actually, this bus did neither. The transmission jammed because some of the seals had dried out and were sucked into the transmission. But it was repaired and since that time, so far (one can never tell) no problems. |
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| (205682) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 22:18:04 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 21:05:37 2010. If you have a Mac, as I do, I can show you. Mac has its own hosting site that I use. Others I'm not familiar with.I won a PC, but thanks anyway. Bill Newkirk |
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| (205707) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Catfish 44 on Fri Aug 27 02:13:46 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 20:50:36 2010. I'd like to see them too. |
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| (205737) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe V on Fri Aug 27 17:41:50 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Newkirk Images on Thu Aug 26 19:57:13 2010. I remember those Fishbowls in Valley Stream. They were for parts and then scrapped. They were ex-Bee Line. I think it was Clausen Bus Lines, which shared space with Veterens Bus Lines needed parts for t2 or 3 ex-Huntington Coach/ LIRR Road'n' Rail SDM5303's.The eventually moved to a locations west of Rochdale Village along the Atlantic Branch. The SDM's got that far, but got cannibalized in the early 1990's. |
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| (205739) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Mac5689 on Fri Aug 27 19:58:27 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe V on Fri Aug 27 17:41:50 2010. Did you know that there was a Clausen Bus Service Incorporated, don't know if they are the same company as you mentioned, that was at the same address as Harran/CBS Lines Inc in West Babylon. |
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| (205744) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Newkirk Images on Fri Aug 27 20:54:45 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe V on Fri Aug 27 17:41:50 2010. I remember those Fishbowls in Valley Stream. They were for parts and then scrapped. They were ex-Bee Line. I think it was Clausen Bus Lines, which shared space with Veterens Bus Lines needed parts for t2 or 3 ex-Huntington Coach/ LIRR Road'n' Rail SDM5303's.Mystery solved. Thankx, Bill Newkirk |
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| (205773) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by hound on Sat Aug 28 03:29:04 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Mac5689 on Fri Aug 27 19:58:27 2010. That's because Harran bought out Clausen. |
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Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Westcode44 on Sat Aug 28 11:41:48 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe Saitta on Thu Aug 26 21:55:49 2010. I know that Joe...the bus looks like new and you take very good care of it. The best of luck.WE-44 |
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| (205795) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Mac5689 on Sat Aug 28 14:54:44 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by hound on Sat Aug 28 03:29:04 2010. Ahh so that old saying is true, you do learn something new every day. LOL |
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| (205870) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe V on Sun Aug 29 15:11:28 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Mac5689 on Fri Aug 27 19:58:27 2010. No, sorry. I moved off LI to NJ in 1992. |
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| (205871) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe V on Sun Aug 29 15:13:49 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Mac5689 on Fri Aug 27 19:58:27 2010. Is Harran still around ?Weren't they a Trailways franchise for a year or two in the 1980's, then got kicked out for having an uncooperative attitude with sister Trailways companies ? |
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| (205872) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Sun Aug 29 15:25:31 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe V on Sun Aug 29 15:13:49 2010. Harran closed about three years ago and sold their West Babylon property. However, some of their buses were sold to other Long Island area outfits. Harran's maroon color scheme has remained of some of those buses. I personally owe Harran a great debt of gratitude for having stored and watched over my own bus during the years it was in operation. |
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| (205889) | |
Re: History of MSBA Bus #699 |
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Posted by Mac5689 on Sun Aug 29 20:32:02 2010, in response to Re: History of MSBA Bus #699, posted by Joe Saitta on Sun Aug 29 15:25:31 2010. And CBS Lines has Suffolk Transit's 20xx Gillig Suburbans at their Coram Yard, or at least thats where i believe they are. There is a picture of one of those buses taken i believe at Harran yard, though i'm not 100% sure. |
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