Buses and Historic Burgers?
It was the biggest hamburger I'd ever seen.
In August of 1963, 40 of my classmates and I were riding a 1947 Brill from Baltimore to a ranch in Buena Vista, Colorado for a week long stay. We were heading to the high country through the Arkansas River Gorge… because there was substantial doubt that the bus would survive the shorter, but steeper, route around Pikes Peak.
Just before entering the gorge, we stopped for lunch in Canon City, at a place with gigundous burger's that covered a dinner plate. This was a life-changing moment for a guy who has never met a cow he didn't like.
Fast forward 50 years… my wife and I were vacationing in the area, and since Susan likes burgers better than me (yes… the double entendre was intended) it seemed wise to make a pilgrimage to this hallowed spot where so many cows had given their all.
It was still there… and Susan was impressed…
Memories are great things. They can give us the opportunity to re-live parts of our lives, revisit feelings and sensations that helped make us what we are today. That hamburger was a tangible reminder of a great adventure, and in my mind's eye I could repeat it. Things aren't always important, but the memories they evoke can be.
And
Sometimes it's worth looking at old stuff to remind ourselves of how far we've come, how we got to where we are today.
You're probably wondering what the heck I'm getting at. It would be nice if we as an industry worked at saving the “things” that memories are made of… supporting the various museums and events that are part of our shared past and experience.
In the early 90's during a sales trip through the Midwest, I stopped at a charter company that had a bunch of ancient buses parked in the back. Some were still in service, which didn't bode well for a guy selling new coaches. The owner said that he “didn't have time for a damned bus salesman”… and I asked if it was OK to go out back and look at his Brill's, Aerocoaches and 3751's.
“You KNOW what an Aerocoach is?… come with me..” and we spent the best part of the afternoon playing with buses and swapping lies. He made time because we had a shared language and history.
On a visit to a bus museum, a friend who was on the staff pointed to a 4104… “you know who owned that coach?” he said. Turns out it was THE bus my college chartered for athletic trips. A fun portion of my misspent youth was spent on that coach, and it brought back great memories. Tragically I no longer fit in the parcel rack (a great sleeping spot for skinny folk).
A buddy took his father to that same museum. His Dad had retired after a long, distinguished career driving scheduled service, and it was just a fun time until he looked at the serial number of the restored 4103 on display. It was a coach he'd driven for years, even been involved in an accident in it. Brought back a flood of memories.
It would be nice if we, as an industry could do more to preserve not just the memories but the “stuff” showing how far we've come… our contribution to the history, well-being and happiness of this country. There are a number of museums dedicated to coaches, transit buses, and trolleys and there are several bus operators all over the country who've preserved and rebuilt historical coaches, and sometimes use them in parades, or movies.
If you have a historic vehicle and the means… fix that jewel up. Drivers and mechanics will realize how far we've come, and customers will be amazed at how much nicer coaches are today. If you can't afford to rehab a coach… find someone who can. There are bus operators and museums that love the opportunity to “rescue” a historic bus.
For years I drove past a “deck and a half” Brill in a junkyard off US40.. and never gave any thought to the fact that it was a rare and valuable piece of history the only one built. Now it's gone. If you've seen rare buses, let someone know…
If you can, and feel so moved… support one of the museums financially. None of them are awash in resources, every bit helps. When you have charters near one… bring your customers in.
Bus people are a special breed, and I'm proud to be one of you. There is a special work ethic and even language that goes with the industry… and it seems important, at least to me, to preserve and revel in as much of our history as we can...
