10 replies to this topic

[TDH5303]

In an earlier essay in this forum, I featured the Yellow Coach Model 1207's which were custom built for the Greyhound Corporation to service visitors on tours of the 1939/1940 New York World's Fair (see left photo below).

Greyhound also ordered specially made trackless trains for the fair originally meant to ferry dignitaries to both the opening ceremonies and on special tours thereafter.

Built on a shortened Mack model ED 1 1/2 ton chassis and sporting a familiar Mack Jr. front end, the tractors were limited to a speed of no more than four miles per hour, and had only one forward gear.

Interestingly, each tractor had a built-in loud speaker that continuously played to the tune of 'East Side - West Side - All Around the Town'.

The very colorful canopy covered trailer cars, of which there may have been three or four in each train, carried up to twelve persons per unit.

After the fair had been in operation for some time, the trackless trains were reassigned to augment the 1207 fleet in pavilion to pavilion shuttle service charging 25 cents for adults and 15 cent for children.

The center frame shows Grover Whalen, a very important political figure in New York City and president of the World's Fair Corporation, at the wheel.

The right photo shows a group of very pretty young tour guide applicants posing before the opening.

Photos courtesy of 39/40 World's Fair Archives.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, NY

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[magikbilly]

Hi,

aren't these the same vehicles I posted a restored color slide of for you that shows most all of thses in operation a single slide in the Bowling Green, where one could catch a ride on one of these - or am i missing something?

Best,
Eric

[worldsfairent]

Anyone know whatever became of them?

[Afikoman]

Thanks for postings these! Keep 'em coming...

[Bill Cotter]

Going back to this old thread, here's a view of the Greyhound Trackless Train:



As to what became of them after the 39-40 Fair ended - I believe they were used at one of the NYC Zoos, possibly the Bronx Zoo. I also think I recall reading that they were used for very early tours of the Flushing Meadows site when it was under consideration for the 64-65 Fair. I don't know where they finally ended up but would love to hear that if anyone does know.

[Doug Seed]

I would have thought they'd end up on a New Jersey boardwalk like the Escorters did 25 years later

[Mike Kraus]

Yeah, didn't we have photos of those repainted for A.C. Boardwalk duty?

[Brian Cartier]

Here are a couple of pictures that I took at Wildwood Beach in NJ back in July. The cars sure look like a match. Not sure about the tractor though.

[Bill Cotter]

They sure look alike in those shots.

[expoboy]

Sort of along the same line . . . the "Elephant Trains" from the Golden Gate International Exposition were used at the San Francisco Zoo when I was growing up. I haven't been to the zoo since the late-60s. Does anyone know if those are still in use?

[Doug Seed]

That Wildwood train tractor looks like a match. Wow.

And $2.50 per ride, each way. How much were they in 1939?