Author Topic: New member / 4104 history?  (Read 5247 times)

Offline wes59

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New member / 4104 history?
« on: January 24, 2013, 02:01:46 PM »
Hi all,

My name is Wes and I'm the owner of PD4104-4143, I bought it about two years ago from a guy in Wind Gap, PA and now she resides in Sussex Co. NJ. If anyone can help me out with the history of this bus it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Wes
North West NJ

Offline siberyd

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Re: New member / 4104 history?
« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2013, 04:31:40 PM »
wes59,

Welcome to the group, RJ is one of our historians when it comes to GM bus history and origination. He will get it to you much quicker than me.

Siberyd
1957 PD 4104-2240 Lawn Art

Offline bkelly1011

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Re: New member / 4104 history?
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2013, 04:38:39 PM »
Hello Wes -

Welcome.  Faithful GM guy RJ usually does these, but since I'm from NJ originally...  PD4104-4143 was part of a four-bus purchase by Safeway Trails, Inc. in 1959 (serials 4141 to 4144).  The bus numbers were S-617 to S-620; not sure if it's safe (hah!) to assume yours was S-619 or not.

Safeway Trails is still showing an address in Williamstown, NJ (if it's even the same company) but I'm not sure if they're still an ongoing concern.  You can find their name associated with plenty of court cases if you Google them.

In any case, they were a piec of the eastern Trailways network at the time your bus was on the road.  Here is some history on them:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Trailways_Bus_Driver/message/3518.

Please post some pictures of the coach when you get a chance so the guys can ooo and ahhh.

Take care,
Brad
Busnut wannabe.

Offline RJ

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Re: New member / 4104 history?
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2013, 12:43:23 AM »
Wes -

Coming into the party a little late here, but Brad has done a great job of giving you some basic historical background on your coach.

The only other things I can add is it was delivered in June of 1959, and that at the time Safeway Trails was HQ'd in Washington DC.

Since you're in NJ, you need to memorize this number: 1-888-262-2434.  That's the toll-free number for Luke @ US Coach.  Luke's probably forgotten more about these GMCs than all the combined knowledge on the bus BBS's!  Strong supporter of our little crazy hobby, too.  Reasonable prices on parts, shipped the same day when you use plastic money.  Has a multi-bay shop for repairs with a really good reputation.  Support those who support us!

As others have already said, Welcome Aboard!

FWIW & HTH. . .

 ;)
1992 Prevost XL Vantaré Conversion M1001907 8V92T/HT-755 (DDEC/ATEC)
2003 VW Jetta TDI Sportwagon "Towed"
Cheney WA (when home)

Offline plyonsMC9

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Re: New member / 4104 history?
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2013, 10:01:16 PM »
HI Wes, welcome aboard!  Looks like you are off to a good start. 

Kind Regards, Phil
Northern Arizona / 1983 - MC9, 1995 MCI DL3-45

Offline wes59

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Re: New member / 4104 history?
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2013, 01:31:35 PM »
Thank you all for the great info. Does anyone have a photo of a late 4104 Safeway bus? I would like to know what the original paint scheme looked like.
North West NJ

Offline bansil

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Re: New member / 4104 history?
« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2013, 02:26:31 PM »
Heres some neat info to read

http://cw42.tripod.com/Jon-3.html

Lots of neat pictures
The year is wrong,lots of pictures to see
Doug
Mnt City TN
 Member of:

Offline bkelly1011

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Re: New member / 4104 history?
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2013, 02:27:36 PM »
Wes -

I think I can get you close. It looks like they used the standard cream/red colors as many Trailways operators did.  Hard to get a good shot showing exactly what you need...

Safeway 4104 in B/W:  http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Photo-1955-Group-of-5-with-Safeway-Trailways-General-Motors-PD-4104-Bus-S-639-/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/$(KGrHqR,!i!E-zqLJQUoBP8cyWVlqQ~~60_35.JPG

Another Safeway 4104 in B/W:  http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Photo-1955-Group-of-10-with-Safeway-Trailways-General-Motors-PD-4104-Bus-547-/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/$(KGrHqR,!pIE-z3DFyu1BP8csRH+pQ~~60_35.JPG

Better sense of the colors - Reading Trailways 4104:  http://joycewiggins.tripod.com/photo/887.jpg
Even better:  http://cw42.tripod.com/subdirectory/VSL-V230_4104.jpg

Scroll down here to see what the Reading Trailways bus looks like restored today (notice the cream is now white):
http://www.billvons.com/bus/buspage50.htm

I would encourage you to contact the Hershey Bus Museum (http://www.busmuseum.org/Bus_Museum/Welcome.html) if you'd like to match the exact colors - they do have a Golden Eagle on display that is cream/red.

Take care,
Brad





Busnut wannabe.

 

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