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Old Bus Photos > Various Seattle Bus Photos Taken in 1967 (1956 TDH 5105, 1940 Twin Coach GWFT Trolleybus...)

Various Seattle Bus Photos Taken in 1967 (1956 TDH 5105, 1940 Twin Coach GWFT Trolleybus...)

November 15, 1998

The following photo(s) are © copyrighted by Bob Hamlin (Port Angeles, Washington)

Bob sent in these photos of various Seattle buses. They were all taken by him one day in 1967 while he was a former driver.

A GM old look. But which model and what year, anyone? I figure between 1956-58 am I right?

Answer: THE GM OLD LOOK - 1956 TDH 5105 - THERE WERE 100 OF THEM - 200-299 THESE COACHES WERE GREEN ON THE BOTTOM, WHITE ON THE TOP. # 263 WAS SAVED AND IS IN THE METRO HISTORICAL FLEET

An ancient trackless trolley bus dating from WWII. Anyone know the make and model?

Answer: THE TROLLEY - 1940 TWIN COACH GWFT - NOT SURE OF TOTAL NUMBER IN FLEET # 643 WAS RESTORED AND IS ALSO IN THE METRO HISTORICAL FLEET

A wide shot of the Jefferson Street garage in Seattle, Washington circa 1967,

A Flxible "new look" in the yard. Again, anyone know the model and year? The photo was taken in 1967.

Answer: THE FLEXIBLE - 1963 F2D6V 401-1- THERE WERE 100 OF THESE TOO. - 500-599 # 598 WAS SAVED AND IS ALSO IN THE METRO HISTORICAL FLEET..

Bob would like to add: Although i moved out of Seattle years ago, it is my impression that these original trolleys were still in use as late as 1975. The trolley wires were foolishly torn down, and busses ruled until the trackless web was rebuilt in the 80's. Trackless is now back strong, with a couple of interesting "bi" busses (diesel AND electric - they can run out from under the wires and go natural). They also have a couple of monster articulated types. Thanks again, Berenie. I appreciate your interest . . .

More Visitor Additions:

On September 21, 2005 I received a very informative e-mail regarding the above photos and text.

Hi Bernie,

 

Very happy to see your photos here.  I am an ex-trolley operator from Seattle, Washington and drove the Pullmans, Brills and Twins.  On page 19,  someone asked the question about the number of 40 GWFT's in the fleet.  There were originally 135 of these coaches, numbered 800-934, and they were first to arrive on the property in March and April of 1940.  Other Twins arrived later but these were part of the original order.  The Brills, though numbered beneath the first Twins, did not arrive until August of 1940.  75 of these Twins were retired in 1963.  The remainder were renumbered into the 600's thereafter.  Eventually all were retired in 1978. 

 

The GM 5105's came in 1955, not 1956 and were numbered 200-299.  Five earlier demonstrator 5105's, numbered 1100-1104, that tested on Seattle Transit routes were also purchased and renumbered 300-304.   I saw the demos as a boy and actually rode them.   Also demonstrating at the same time were five propane-powered Flexible Twins, numbered 400-404, and diesel-powered Macks, numbered 1200-1204, all of which I rode.  I'm told the Macks were disposed of to San Francisco.   The Flexibles were kept, the engines were converted to run on gasoline and were used as tripper coaches,  eventually being retired in 1970.  Interestingly enough, 100 older, 41S Twins, purchased in 1947, outlasted their younger cousins, not being retired until 1976, 29 years later!   I drove these coaches also and if you weren't careful, you could get thrown out of the seat.   A bumpy ride as the torsion springs were long since worn out with age.

 

I will send you a photo of myself where I am standing in front of Twin Coach #633 at Jefferson Barn in Seattle.  Many years later, I moved to Southern California and just out of curiosity, I visited the Orange Empire Railway Museum and there stood #633.  I took another picture in front of her so that now there is a "before and after".   It got some news print and a few local headlines.

 

I am presently a supervisor of special projects with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and I periodically test new equipment.  You may have heard about the new NABI articulated buses that LACMTA is buying. I've driven them. Underpowered and the one piece front door is going to be, in my opinion, a liability. We'll see how that works out.

 

If you need any information regarding the histories of Seattle Transit or Los Angeles MTA, feel free to ask. Keep up the good work.

 

Sincerely,

 

Larry S.  Haynes

Bus photos submitted by: Classic Bus

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