Gx-7 Greyhound prototype

RJ · October 29, 2015, 05:54:37 PM

The one and only PDX4901 is currently owned by the folks at Wilson Bus Lines, HQ's in Templeton, MA. It is undergoing restoration as time permits. Wilson also owns one of the few remaining Trailways Golden Eagle Articulateds, which is in operable condition and is use for publicity purposes.

FWIW & HTH. . .

shelled · October 29, 2015, 08:05:35 PM

The 40 foot stretch 4104 was also publicized as the "Highway Traveler" not to be confused with Greyhound's magazine of the same name.

I have an interesting promotional pin about 2-inches long that Greyhound put out as part of the 40-foot 4104 publicity campaign.

These days, we tend to forget just how active a part of the American experience Greyhound Bus Lines were. RIP

edward

bigred · October 30, 2015, 02:56:24 AM

Does the one that Wilson has have the original drive line or has it been changed to the 8V71???

RJ · October 30, 2015, 03:08:37 AM

Quote from: bigred on October 30, 2015, 02:56:24 AM
Does the one that Wilson has have the original drive line or has it been changed to the 8V71??

I believe it has the 8V71, but you could call them and ask. . .

FWIW & HTH. . .

bigred · October 30, 2015, 11:09:11 AM

With all the electronics and computers available today I would think that the twin engine set up could be workable !! Incidentally,who paid for the engine swap out on the Senicriser's ,GM OR Grayhound??

chessie4905 · October 30, 2015, 01:20:23 PM

Today they would use some kind of cylinder deactivation.

luvrbus · October 30, 2015, 01:22:57 PM

A GM guru in Dallas told me Greyhound paid Marmon/Harrrington 10 mil to change all the the drive trains on the 4501 that included the transmission and rear axle.

The twin 471's in the 4501 used a 3 speed with a 2 speed auxiliary transmission.I have some b/w photo's showing the set up some place he gave me.

That setup would have worked if they ran the engines in sync like they do in the oilfields but they put in the drivers hand when to run just 1 engine and the little 150 hp just could not handle it.

The old timer in Dallas told me very few drivers wanted to drive the 4501 and would do their best to break it

Oonrahnjay · October 31, 2015, 06:51:50 AM

Quote from: bigred on October 30, 2015, 11:09:11 AMWith all the electronics and computers available today I would think that the twin engine set up could be workable !! Incidentally,who paid for the engine swap out on the Senicriser's ,GM OR Grayhound??

Quote from: chessie4905 on October 30, 2015, 01:20:23 PMToday they would use some kind of cylinder deactivation.

I think of the Cadillac 4-6-8 and quiver in fear!

bigred · November 01, 2015, 03:53:35 AM

One last note on the GX2.I reached out to Kenny Gates of the Blue Ridge Quartet .He was very gracious in replying .He doesn't have any idea what happened to GX2 ,but he did say that it was a money pit .Seriously under powered and very expensive on repairs and parts.He actually went as far as to say that buying that bus was one of the worst mistakes they ever made.He went on to say that another drawback was the height of the coach.It required a twelve ft clearance which presented a problem in getting to some of the venues that gospel quartet's have to get to. I would love to thank all of you who helped me in finding out more about this piece of bus/quartet history.Just about the time I think I have graduated from the college of Busoligy ,you guys remind me that I am still in kindergarten!!!LOL

CrabbyMilton · November 01, 2015, 06:12:07 AM

GM and CHRYSLER use cylinder deactivation on many of their cars and tucks now and while they are much improved over the old V8-6-4, they still have some bugs to work thru. FORD decided to go with twin turbo(ECOBOOST) in order to get more or the same power with less cylinders. Time will tell how this idea works out. But turbo charging diesel engines has long proven itself in terms of power and fuel economy but I'm still wondering why cylinder deactivation never got over with diesels.
Today's diesels are powerful enough so you don't need 2 and with turbo charging, the peak power is used as needed but the idea of 2 engines in a bus is interesting.

chessie4905 · November 01, 2015, 09:24:37 AM

Give it time. There was a recent article that auto mfgs. are working on running on down to 2 cyls instead of four.
The computer technology was pretty limited in 1980 with the 8-6-4 system and didn't work smoothly, combined with the particular Bosch fuel injection system used on the same engine that had it's own issues with hesitation, etc, resulted in poor customer satisfaction.

Jeremy · November 01, 2015, 11:06:37 AM

There are quite a few cars around with cylinder deactivation now - Mercedes and Audi for instance use it

Jeremy

bigred · November 01, 2015, 12:10:07 PM

I have a 2005 Hemi powered Jeep with the cylinder deactivation .On this one ,it works beautifully giving me close to 20mpg on the highway.We won't even talk about the in town mileage!!!

pd4501-771 · November 01, 2015, 01:34:04 PM

Money-pit or not, it's a dam shame the GX-2 was not preserved. I would give my right arm to own that coach in any condition. Had it survived, it would have been right up there in value with the GM Futurliners in my opinion. (But I may be a slight bit bias!) For that matter, the GX-1 should have been saved as well. At least the 4901 is still around.

paul stpaul · January 29, 2017, 02:07:23 PM

One wrap-up posting - for a few more (OK, a lot more) detail on GX-1, GX-2, PD4501 and the like, check out www.scenicruising.com!