New member / 4104 history?

[wes59]

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

[siberyd]

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

[bkelly1011]

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

[RJ]

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. . .

[plyonsMC9]

HI Wes, welcome aboard!  Looks like you are off to a good start. 

Kind Regards, Phil

[wes59]

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.

[bansil]

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

[bkelly1011]

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