I rode one of these many times before getting my drivers licence. These HO scale buses are made by a high end Canadian model train manufacturer called Rapido. They are taking pre-orders for London Transit. I had to order one for nostalgia sake (Route 2 Dundas of course)
The fishbowl and the GM Classic that superseded it were very good buses. What killed them was the need for wheelchair access. With a monocoque construction as long as the parts were available they could be refurbished indefinitely. In Ontario there were a couple of shops that specialized in rebuilding busses. Unfortunately the newer design of transit bus are very hard to rebuild, and some of these refurb businesses closed.
The fishbowl and the GM Classic that superseded it were very good buses. What killed them was the need for wheelchair access. With a monocoque construction as long as the parts were available they could be refurbished indefinitely. In Ontario there were a couple of shops that specialized in rebuilding busses. Unfortunately the newer design of transit bus are very hard to rebuild, and some of these refurb businesses closed.
Paul
Back in the late 80's when Bob Ray said that no new bus purchases will be made without wheelchair access, the TTC got a fully refurbishing shop into high gear. I have ridden in many, from TTC & HSR, even a manual trans Grey Coach & a shorty version at an airport.
GMC made them from 1960 models through 1977. They were everywhere. Lots of forward glass with small panes for replacement consideration, most had sliding side windows & no a/c. I remember rattles. NYC used later replacement models that were unlike what we saw here, with square lights. Mississauga Transit used Orion buses, and I think they were manufactured in Mississauga.
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67 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe, Oshawa-built 250 PG never disturbed.
In garage, 296 cid inline six & TH350...
Cam, Toronto.
I don't judge a man by how far he's fallen, but by how far back he bounces - Patton
I rode these my first years in Toronto. I like the way that the bus drivers used to stuff wadded up cardboard in the slider windows to stop them from rattling. Those rattling windows would drive you crazy after a while.
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
I ordered the deluxe version. I believe the London version won't be out until September. I put down a deposit. From what I understand these busses sell out quickly. I rode one of these to high school. The bus would be packed with us students, the driver would be in a mood and sometimes he would hit the brakes so hard we'd almost shoot out the windshield. HOLD ON! lol
cdnpont wrote:
Are you getting the Standard or Deluxe Todd?
I'm not into these, but I'd like one just to stare at it, remembering the shaking and rattles while riding one.
That sound is fixed in my mind, that growl of the Detroit diesel and the crash and rattle when they went over potholes and railway tracks.
I ordered the deluxe version. I believe the London version won't be out until September. I put down a deposit. From what I understand these busses sell out quickly. I rode one of these to high school. The bus would be packed with us students, the driver would be in a mood and sometimes he would hit the brakes so hard we'd almost shoot out the windshield. HOLD ON! lol
cdnpont wrote:
Are you getting the Standard or Deluxe Todd?
I'm not into these, but I'd like one just to stare at it, remembering the shaking and rattles while riding one.
That sound is fixed in my mind, that growl of the Detroit diesel and the crash and rattle when they went over potholes and railway tracks.
A family uncle who was also our family doctor, actually the adopted son of my great aunt Dr. Elizabeth Bagshaw, way back in the day drove an HSR bus. This was back when my parents were in high school on their way to WWII. When he saw somebody taking too long to dawdle down the isle, say a nice old lady, he would jam on the binders and those grannies would be high-stepping as they ran down the isle! Not nice, but he had a schedule to keep.
Dr. John also was focused when doing an exam on you. He would ask, "does that hurt?" as he continued his examination. You'd reply, "Ouch!" to which he would reply without seeming to pay any attention, "that's nice..."
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67 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe, Oshawa-built 250 PG never disturbed.
In garage, 296 cid inline six & TH350...
Cam, Toronto.
I don't judge a man by how far he's fallen, but by how far back he bounces - Patton
Many a time I'd see an older person become a victim of the binders and they'd end up running down the isle, grabbing that last bar, swinging around and down the steps and out the door!
I used to get P.O'd when you'd ring the bell for your next stop and the driver "wouldn't" hear it and you'd end up having to get off at the next stop and walk back to your destination!
I've seen all kinds of fruits, vegetables and other things rolling down the aisle.
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
I heard all kinds of stories from my Dad Cliff Sr. He worked in the TTC garage cleaning the buses. One night a driver came in and related this story to him.
The rather large lady got on the bus arms fully loaded and tried to reach into her purse to pay the fare.
As she bent over the bag opened up and stuff started rolling down the aisle of the bus, each time she leaned over a loud tune evolved. With each step she started to collect the goods and each attempt to gather up the next item the symphony evolved again. Nearing the back of the bus was a drunk sitting there fully entranced by the activity and as she got to the seat he was at in an encouraging way he stated---If you cant catch them SHOOT EM..
I once saw a live fish flopping around in the Spadina (Chinatown) bus.
I rode the TTC for 25 years, so lots of stories! Some I can't repeat here.
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
