Articles
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Flooding at the Museum of Bus Transportation. A preliminary report on the early September, 2011 flooding at the George Sage Annex building and storage area of the Museum of Bus Transportation in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Printed in the November, 2011 National Bus Trader magazine.
Brilliant Transportation Revives the Glamor of Travel. Brilliant Transportation is turning heads with their fleet of Sprinter vans with luxury interiors used for both business and personal travel. Printed in the September, 2011 National Bus Trader magazine.
Some Notes on Giving. Points to consider when you give a bus, collectables or any items of value to a group or charity. Printed in the June, 2011 National Bus Trader magazine.
Conventions, Trade Shows, Gatherings and Events. This is a current update of the more popular bus conventions, trade shows, gatherings and events held in the United States and Canada plus some outside of North America. Printed in the May, 2011 National Bus Trader magazine.
MCI's New Pre-Owned Coach Program. Keeping up with customer needs, MCI is now offering an enhanced pre-owned coach program offering three levels of quality ranging from economical to high quality. Printed in the January, 2011 National Bus Trader magazine.
ABC Companies and Partners Offer Coach Refurbishment Program. The detailed story behind ABC Companies' new Refurbishment program for pre-owned coaches. Printed in the January, 2011 National Bus Trader magazine.
Mauck2. This unique small vehicle combines the durability and economy of the Sprinter with an attractive custom body suitable for applications ranging from a custom van to a small bus. Printed in the November, 2010 National Bus Trader magazine.
Continental Memories Come to Life. The story behind Larry Yohe and his restored Continental Trailways Silver Eagle. Printed in the September, 2010 National Bus Trader magazine.
Is Climate Change Still a "Hot" Topic for the Bus Industry?. Provides information disproving Anthropogenic Global Warming, suggests that the earth has actually been cooling, and explains some of the Global Warming errors. Printed in the February, 2010 National Bus Trader magazine.
Global Warming and the Bus Industry. This three-page article covers various recent developments that disprove Anthropogenic Global Warming and how it might impact the bus industry. Printed in the January, 2010 National Bus Trader magazine.
Windstar Lines. The story behind Windstar Lines, a respected bus operator in Iowa that grew from a family travel business. Printed in the May, 2009 National Bus Trader Magazine.
The Coach Manufacturer That Harry Built. Published on the 75th Anniversary of Motor Coach Industries, this tells the story of how Harry Zoltok took MCI from a local body and paint shop to the leading manufacturer of intercity coaches in America. Printed in the June, 2008 National Bus Trader magazine.
The MCI International Chapter Rally in Columbus, Ohio. Activities at the July, 2009 rally of the MCI Internaitonal Chapter of FMCA in Columbus, Ohio. Printed in the September, 2009 National Bus Trader magazine.
Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation. The story behind Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation and their current product line that has raised the quality of mid-size buses in recent years. Printed in the September, 2009 National Bus Trader magazine.
Venture Tours from Virginia. The fascinating story of Venture Tours starts with Jimmy Hall and his mother Darlene who were raised in the bus business. Today the company is one of the best-known bus operators in Virginia. Printed in the August, 2009 National Bus Trader magazine.
Retreaded Bus Tires - Going Green With New Technology. A look at the new technology being used for tire retreading plus a station-by-station tour of the modern Brahler Tire Retreading plant in Jacksonville, Illinois. Printed in the August, 2009 National Bus Trader magazine.
An Anniversary and a New Home for Creative Mobile Interiors. Creative Mobile Interiors, one of the most versatile conversion firms in the United States, celebrates its 10th Anniversary by moving into a new and modern conversion facility in Grove City, Ohio. Printed in the July, 2009 National Bus Trader magazine.
Windstar Lines. The history and story behind Windstar Lines of Iowa, one of the best regarded bus operators in the state.. Printed in the May, 2009 National Bus Trader magazine.
Beru Tire Monitoring System. A detailed review of the Beru Tire Monitoring System as offered by Prevost. Printed in the October, 2008 National Bus Trader magazine.
Motor Coach Industries Emerges from Chapter 11 and Improves Market Share. The story behind why MCI filed Chapter 11, information on the pre-negotiated filing, and details on the procedure and MCI's emergence from Chapter 11 seven months later. From the June, 2009 issue of National Bus Trader.
Creative Mobile Interiors - Where Diversity Creates Success Some history and current operations of Creative Mobile Interiors of Grove City, Ohio. From the April, 2008 issue of National Bus Trader.
Variety is the Spice of Life for Creative Mobile Interiors This article covers Creative Mobile Interiors of Grove City, Ohio in their sixth year of operation. Much of the article concentrates on extensive variety of services available. From the July, 2005 issue of National Bus Trader.
Compartmentalization and Seat Belts - The Inconvenient Truths With the help of two experts, we take a hard look at compartmentalization and seat belts, their good points and bad points and their pros and cons. We also try to clear up some misinformation. From the March, 2009 issue of National Bus Trader.
New MCI Improvements for 2009 This article covers the wide range of enhancements and improvements in MCI models for 2009. From the January, 2009 issue of National Bus Trader.
Initial Operator Reaction to the Volvo D-13 engine The Volvo D-13 engine was offered in Prevost coaches starting in 2008. This article provides opinions and reports from some of the first bus operators to use this engine. From the February, 2009 issue of National Bus Trader.
Capital Trailways and Colonial Trailways A great look into the inspiring 75 year history of the company: from it's beginnings in the 1930's to it's plans for the future. From the August, 2008 issue of National Bus Trader.
Blue Bird's Wanderlodge joins Complete Coach Works An article detailing the both the history and the product line of the Blue Bird Corporation. From the May, 2008 issue of National Bus Trader.
Michaud's "Little Spike" Dedication The famous antique bus was dedicated and donated to the Museum of Transportation in Hershey, Pennsylvania. From the May, 2008 issue of National Bus Trader.
The 2008 UMA Motorcoach Expo in San Francisco A seven-page article covering the highlights and vehicles displayed at the 2008 United Motorcoach Association Motorcoach Expo in San Francisco in January of 2008. From the April, 2008 issue of National Bus Trader.
The Krapf Bus Company - A Legacy of Diversity A look into the history of the successful bus company Krapf. This article appeared originally in the January, 2008 issue of National Bus Trader.
Articulated Low-Floor Intercity Coaches: Pros and Cons Mike Manganello from Lightrider and Jan Van Eck form Flying Dutchman Coaches discuss the pros and cons of articulated low-floor intercity coaches from the standpoints of passenger needs as well as operations and practicality. This article appeared in the August, 2007 issue of National Bus Trader.
The First Busworld Turkey Covers the first Busworld Turkey in Istanbul on February 8-10, 2007. This article also provides some information on bus manufacturing in Turkey. This article appeared in the May, 2007 issue of National Bus Trader.
Pat Ziska Celebrates 30 Years With MCI A tribute to Patricia Ziska who celebrated 30 years with MCI in December of 2006. This article appeared in the January, 2007 issue of National Bus Trader.
MCI - Going Further in the Northeast States MCI's increased customer support and service in the Norteast states which includes a new parts facility in the New York City area and a new service facility in Atlantic City. This article appeared in the September, 2006 issue of National Bus Trader.
The Enhanced C2045E and M1235 from ABC Companies This five-page article covers the improved and enhanced C2045E model as well as the M1235 model. This article appeared in the August, 2006 issue of National Bus Trader.
Bitimec SpeedyWash System A report on Bitimec and it's SpeedyWash system, which provides the versatility of hand washing with the speed and quality of a washing system installed in a building. This article appeared in the November, 2005 issue of National Bus Trader.
Greyhound Buses - Part I Greyhound Buses
Through the Years - Part I (5 pages)
The first part of two on the history of Greyhound Buses. Printed in
the September 2002 National Bus Trader magazine.
Greyhound Buses - Part II Greyhound
Buses Through the Years - Part II (6 pages)
The second part of two on the history of Greyhound Buses. Printed in
the September 2002 National Bus Trader magazine.
Prevost Car - Service After the SalePrevost has developed an impressive group of six service centers in the United States and Canada. While they provide warranty work, they also house a full service parts department as well as coach service and repairs. Printed in the February 2003 National Bus Trader magazine.
The Rosa Parks Bus The Rosa Parks Bus by Larry Plachno. The most sought after historical bus is the TDH3610 transit bus built by General Motors in 1948.
The MCI J4500 Test Driving the J4500
and ZF AS Tronic Transmission by Larry Plachno
The J4500 is continuing to become the MCI model of choice for commerical
coach operators. Most of the major systems on the J4500 are electronic.
Driving the AS Tronic is like driving a basic 10-speed transmission.
MCI's 3500 Races Ahead Three pages, from the July 2001 issue of National Bus Trader. Tells the story behind racing star Jimmy Adams and his 35-foot MCI F3500 which transport the Southern Comfort Racing Team and pulls the trailer with his Porsche GT3.
Anderson Coach & Tour Five pages from the May, 2001 issue of National Bus Trader. Covers the history of Anderson Coach & tour in Greenville, Pennsylvania which is celebrating 65 years of business in 2002.
MCI Coaches from A-J Seven pages, from the April, 2001 issue of National Bus Trader. Covers the history of the MCI models from "A" to "J" with years of production, basic similarities and differences, and the current MCI product line.
Starting Your Own Bus Company Two pages, from the February, 2001 issue of National Bus Trader. Have you thought about starting your own bus company? The United Motorcoach Association provides this list of things to consider.
Back to the Futurliners Seven pages, from the February 2001 issue of National Bus Trader. Conceived in 1939, the Futurliners were built on the same line as the early Silversides buses and went on to support the GM Parade of Progress. This tells the story behind the Parade of Progress and its vehicles.
Van Hool Coaches Now Running in Scheduled Service Five pages, from the January 2001 National Bus Trader. Van Hool joins an exclusive group with their C2045 which is now in rugged scheduled service with three Greyhound affiliates.
Are We There Yet? Four pages, from the December 2000 issue of National Bus Trader. A somewhat philosophical look at changes in the bus industry and how they affect our future. This article has been highly complimented by many people in the industry.
The MCI G4500 - Back to Basics with Style This article talks about the new MCI G4500 model bus which is now in full production. Special detail is talked about as to the extensive testing and design work on this new model.
Submitting Conventional and Digital PhotosThis article talks about Submitting Conventional and Digital Photos for publication.
Fullington Raises the Bar This article covers Fullington Auto Bus/Fullington Trailways of Pennaylvania. It appeared in the June, 2004 issue of National Bus Trader.
Charlotte RV Service Opens in Southwest Florida This article covers the opening of the new Charlotte RV Service in Charlotte Harbor, Florida. In addition, it mentions Vehicle Clinic in Detroit which was also founded by Amos Slater. This article is printed from the July, 2004 issue of National Bus Trader.
Driver Fatigue - The Road to Danger This three-page article provided by Lancer Insurance talks about the causes and concerns of driver fatigue and appropriate action to reduce the problem. It appeared in the August, 2004 issue of National Bus Trader .
ABC's Sixth Annual Collision Workshop This six-page article covers ABC's recent workshop for those involved with insurance, adjusting and estimating. It appeared in the May, 2005 issue of National Bus Trader.
Integral Construction Originally printed in the February, 2005 issue of National Bus Trader, this technical and historical article covers the background and history of integral design buses starting in the 1930s, how two different types developed, how integral design spread to Europe, and some current information.
Alcorn McBride's Digital Audio Machine This article provides information on Alcorn McBride and their new Digital Audio Machine which combines GPS technology with an automated on-board announcement system. It appeared in the June, 2005 issue of National Bus Trader.
AC Transit's Hydrogen Fuel Cell Project Details behind the impressive hudrogen fuel cell project, using full size Van Hool buses, engineered by AC Transit in San Francisco's East Bay area. It appeared in the September, 2005 issue of National Bus Trader.
Used Bus Sales at Trailways in 1969 Another time, another era. The story behind how Continental Trailways sold their used buses in 1969. What models were being sold and what models were being replaced. It appeared in the September, 2005 issue of National Bus Trader.
ZF's AS Tronic Transmission Moves Into High Gear A report on the increasingly popular ZF AS Tronic transmission, information from bus owners who have experience running it, unexpected advantages, and retrofit information. It appeared in the October, 2005 issue of National Bus Trader.
New MCI J4500 Conversion Shell The J4500, the most popular seated motoroach model in the United States and Canada will soon become available as a conversion shell. This article appeared in the October, 2005 issue of National Bus Trader.