Transit Motor Coaches
(N scale)
Popular Re-Run of 4 Transit Motor Coach schemes:
(Pre-orders due Feb. 27th for August 2015 Delivery.)
Chicago Transit Authority (2 bus numbers: 90141/ CTA 7206, 90161 / CTA 7267 TWA ad,), Union School District (1 bus number: Item 90715), Greyhound (4 bus numbers: Items 90711-90714), Railroad Maintenance of Way (1 bus number: Item 90716 ). Please scroll half-way down for details and PayPal shopping carts.
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Re-Run of Transit Motor Coaches
Wheels of Time is delighted to reintroduce our award winning N scale motor coaches with all new colorful paint schemes. These motor coaches accurately represents the classic C49 bus with it's art deco streamlined moderne look. During the post war period, urban areas in North America were experiencing dramatic growth. To help modernized their transit systems, transit companies purchased C49s motor coaches in large batches from 1950s up to the 1960. They lasted in revenue service until the late '70s and perhaps into the '80s.
Our motor coaches features one-door suburban or two-door city version depending on transit company. They have changeable route destination sign with real period route information. Little interior seats and steering wheel which makes it look so real. Polished body shell to give it that metal glossy look. These well-researched colorful motor coaches are perfect for your N scale communities - making your little streets come alive!
MSRP $25.95 PayPal shopping carts will debit your account immediately.
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PDF BROCHURE | GIF BROCHURE |
PHOTO GALLERY |
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Niagara Frontier Transit System (NY)
Niagara Frontier Transit System (NFT) roster a large fleet of C49 motor coaches which came in four batches between 1954 to 1959. The last batch of buses were modernized with the "new look" front which were originally developed by the NFT engineers. Originally, NFT took over the bankrupted International Railway Co. which operated a sizable system of streetcars in Erie and Niagara counties. By July 1, 1950, the streetcar operations ended with motor coaches taking over all the operations. This marked an end to rail transit since 1834! The NFT was superseded by a public agency created up by the New York State government in 1967 and was called the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. These buses continued to solider-on in their original paint until about mid-1970s when they were replaced by new buses from American Motors.
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: Niagara Frontier Transit (NY) | Price |
Sold Out
|
| 90665 | Bus No. 6200 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90666 | Bus No. 6211 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
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Yonkers Transit Corporation (NY);)
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Originally called the Yonkers Railroad Company, it was a trolley system opened in 1886 in Yonkers, New York. The Yonkers Railroad was bought by The Third Avenue Railway Company in 1898. In 1922, the Third Avenue trolleys were moving some 70,000 people. In 1952, Mr. Samuel Schreiber and other investors founded the "new" Yonkers Railroad Company to take over and convert the Third Avenue Railway Co. line in Yonkers into a profitable bus operation. This bus operation was later know as the Yonkers Transit Corporation. It ran until 1972 when it was consolidated with other operations in lower Westchester County. As a side note, Mr. Schreiber went on to work as a consulting engineer at Gilman & Company converting trolley systems into bus systems in many cities in United States, for the better or for the worst. The Yonkers roster many C45 buses but only eight C49-DT. The first three were former bus demonstrator coaches. Later, they purchase new five more C49-DT with the "new look front" in 1959.
Yonkers Railroad Co. 160 & 159 (1957); ex-demonstrator units Serial No. 1326-1327
600 ex-Triple Cities Traction Co.(1958); ex-demonstrator unit.
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: The Yonkers Transit Corporation |
Price |
Status Limited |
| 90669 | Bus No. 160 with Ads | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90670 | Bus No. 159 with NO Ads | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90671 | Bus no. 600 with Ads | $25.95 | Sold Out |
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Public Service Coordinate Transport of New Jersey
The Public Service Coordinate Transport (PSCT of New Jersey) tried out two C49-DM demonstrator motor coaches built in 1958. They were built with Firestone air suspension that gave it the distinct bounce that kept bouncing whenever the bus hit a pothole. They were equipped with END 673 diesel and a manual transmission, and seated 49 passengers. They were numbered M65-M66. Those demonstrator buses fell out of favor from their competition and returned and later became Avenue B & East Broadway buses. PSCT was formed out of the Public Service Railway Co. in the 1920s. PSCT became the Transport of NJ in the early 1970, and then as NJDOT/ NJ Transit.
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: Public Service Coordinate Transport of New Jersey |
Price |
Sold Out |
| 90672 | Bus No. M65 | $25.95 | |
| 90673 | Bus No. M66 | $25.95 |
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Boston MTA;)
During 1947, the Boston Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) was formed to take over the unprofitable subway, elevated, streetcar and bus operations of the Boston Elevated Railway. The MTA operating authority was over 14 cities and towns. In August 1964, the familiar egg shaped MTA logo was replaced by the MBTA as we know it today. The Boston MTA had a large fleet of C49 motor coaches in several batches numbering over 120 motor coaches. They were all equipped with torque converter transmissions and either General or Firestone air suspensions.
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: Boston MTA (egg logo) | Price |
Status Limited |
| 90674 | Bus No 2250 |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90675 | Bus No. 2263 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90676 | Bus No. 2275 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90677 | Bus No. 2294 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
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Houston Transit Company
The Houston Transit Co. purchased C41-GT numbered 588 through 607 in June 1947. These C41-GT bus assignments included the Studewood line which served Southern Pacific's Grand Central Depot ( an art deco affair that was replaced by a post office) and the Heights line which served Houston's Union Station* (building now an entrance to a ballpark).
The transit company itself began life as a city transit railroad operation powered by mules in 1868. The first electric trolleys arrived in 1891. By 1946, the Houston Electric Co. was renamed the Houston Transit Company (HTC). In 1961, the private owners of HTC sold the company and was renamed the Rapid Transit Lines. In 1966, it became a subsidiary of the infamous National City Lines known for replacing electric streetcars and trolleys to buses. In 1974, the City of Houston acquired the NCL's Rapid Transit Lines and renamed it to HouTran. In 1979, HouTran was superseded by the Metropolitan Transit Authority.
*video of Houston's Union Station
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach:Houston Transit Company | Price |
Sold Out |
| 90678 | Bus No. 590 |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90679 | Bus No. 596 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90680 | Bus No. 597 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90681 | Bus No. 605 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
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Rose City Transit (Portland, OR);)
The Rose City Transit was formed in 1946 by a San Francisco based holding company when it purchased the assets of the Portland Traction Company. For a while, it was named Portland Transit before becoming Rose City Transit. During the late 1940s-early 1950s, the modernization of Portland's transit system progress appeared in a number of magazine ads. It typically stated "Why Portland Modernizes with M a c k diesels [buses]" and were credited with replacing the final streetcar lines in Portland. However, Portland's transit buses being purchased at that time were all gasoline and not diesels powered M a c k s. Wheels of Time model is a good stand-in for these C45-GT motor coaches and reflects the tomato red scheme adopted after 1948. This paint scheme lasted until the late 1980's.
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: Rose City Transit (Portland, OR) | Price |
Status Limited |
| 90682 | Bus No 876 |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90683 | Bus No. 877 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90684 | Bus No. 883 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90685 | Bus No. 899 with Ad | $25.95 | Sold Out |
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Chicago Motor Coach Co. "The Boulevard Route";)
In 1951, Chicago Motor Coach Co. (CMCC) purchased eight C-50 coaches that had serial numbers 1543-1550 and with corresponding roster number as 1001-1008. They were powered by an ENDS-672 diesel with a wheelbase of 272" and carried a nominal 50 passengers. It carried "The Boulevard Route" slogan on the roof sides and a red stripe down the sides of the bus. The CMCC was started by John Hertz in 1917, the same person who started the rental car business and the Yellow Coach (bus) manufacturing business. The objective was to provide bus transportation services to places in Chicago were streetcars did not serve. CMCC served some 134 street miles in Chicago. In 1952, they were absorbed by the Chicago Transit Authority.
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: Chicago Motor Coach Co. "The Boulevard Route" | Price |
Sold Out |
| 90686 | Bus No 1001 |
$25.95 | |
| 90687 | Bus No. 1004 | $25.95 | |
| 90688 | Bus No. 1007 | $25.95 | |
| 90689 | Bus No. 1008 | $25.95 |
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Cleveland Transit System;)
The Cleveland Transit System carried Clevelanders on the Shakers Heights Rapid Transit, trolley coaches and a large network of motor coaches. Cleveland's transit system was started by the Van Sweringen brothers. They are the same brothers who controlled the Nickel Plate Road, Erie Railroad, Pere Marquette Railway, Hocking Valley Railway, and Chesapeake & Ohio Railway from a maze of holding companies including the Alleghany Corporation.
In August of 1957, the Cleveland Transit System purchased new two D49-DT numbered 2000-2001. Also, they purchased second hand from the Redifer Bus Co. No. 2009 (1956), Nos. 2002 - 2008 in several batches in 1958. All the buses were built to 102" wide.
Here is an M A C K ad referring to an earlier model bus for Cleveland.
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: Cleveland Transit System | Price |
Status |
| 90690 | Bus No 2000 |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90691 | Bus No. 2001 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
The Kansas City Public Service Company (KCPS) started in 1925. KCPS rostered a diverse fleet of motor coaches, trolley coaches, and PCC streetcars. They have approximately 350 motor coaches, 166 trolley coaches, and 184 PCC streetcars. KCPS became KC Transit Inc. in 1960 and later became KC Area Transportation Authority in 1969 KCPS purchased these C45-GT numbered 301-350. Email Wheels of Time for availablity. We have one or two left in-stock. Item Nos. 90696 Bus No. 327 and 90697 Bus No. 350. $25.95 each.
90696 KCPS Motor Coach No. 327 sold out
90697 KCPS Motor Coach No. 350 sold out
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Commission de transport de Montréal (CTM);)
The Montreal Transportation Commission (Commission de transport de Montréal) roster 50 C49-DT numbered 3300-3349 built in July-August 1956. They were equipped with leaf springs suspension and built to 102" in width. Montreal C49-DT were based out of the Frontenac garage and were assigned to a number of routes including 5, 15, 22, 85, 125, 185, 150. Wheels of Time model is based on the original lettering scheme and destination roll sign. See here for a prototype photo of C49-DT.
| Item # |
Transit Motor Coach: Montreal Transportation Commission / Commission de transport de Montréal (CTM); orginal, pre-1963 lettering style |
Price |
Status Limited |
| 90698 | Bus No 3301 |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90699 | Bus No. 3308 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90700 | Bus No. 3322 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90701 | Bus No. 3349 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
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Long Beach Motor Bus Co.;)
In 1946, the City of Long Beach combined the two remaining bus companies into one - the Long Beach Motor Bus Company (LBMB Co.). The National City Lines (NCL) controlled Long Beach Motor Bus Co. (LBMB Co.) from July 1946 to 1953. Then from 1953 to 1963, the LBMB Co. became an independent company before becoming a publicly operated entity. During this period of LBMB Co., the NCL "fruit salad" paint was changed to the lime green, dark green and white. The LBMB Co. roster C41 or C45 in numbered in the 7100 series.
(An excellent read of the history of Long Beach transit.)
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: Long Beach Motor Bus Co. | Price |
Status Limited |
| 90702 | Bus No 7104 |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90703 | Bus No. 7107 with Ad | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90704 | Bus No. 7110 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90705 | Bus No. 7113 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
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SF Municipal Railway (simplified paint scheme);)
San Francisco Municipal Railway acquired six batches of C49-DT numbering 450 motor coaches in the late 1950s to replace the aging Whites. The C49-DT won out over other makes because of the generous leased terms from the builder. These motor coaches seated 48 passengers and were the backbone of Muni's motor bus fleet in the 1960s and 1970s. The traditional "wings" were clipped on certain repainted buses in the early to mid-1960s. Typically, if there is advertisement plastered on the side of the vehicle, it would cover up the "wings" part of the paint scheme. It must be that the shops decided to experiment here to see if the simplified scheme would be cost-effective and yet almost look the same as a one with "wings."
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: San Francisco Municipal Railway (simplified paint scheme) | Price |
Status Limited |
| 90706 | Bus No 2355 with Ad |
$25.95 | sold out |
| 90707 | Bus No. 2468 | $25.95 | sold out |
| 90708 | Bus No. 2517 | $25.95 | sold out |
| 90709 | Bus No. 2621 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90710 | Bus No. 2636 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
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Greyhound Lines (Richmond);)
Richmond Greyhound Lines (RGL) was actually started by the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac (RF&P) railroad. The RF&P Transportation became the Richmond Greyhound Lines in 1930 with Greyhound owning 51% and RF&P owning 49%. Shared partnerships* allowed Greyhound to share the risk in the event of a failure as well as allowing the railroad themselves to extend their service areas. Shared ownership with Greyhound were common at that time. Peak ridership on railroads peaked in the 1920s (except for WWII) due to the inroads of auto travel. The ownership in a bus line was a strategy to allow a railroad to serve areas outside their railroad lines and yet provided a local feeder network to support their existing passenger railroad operations. RGL operated from 1929 to 1960 when it was merged into the Eastern (formerly Capitol) Greyhound Lines. RGL operated four C49-DM (m=manual transmission). Those four were a minority among the GM and Yellows. They were built on May 1957 and numbered as R2188-R2121. Wheels of Time presents the complete RGL motor coach set here for your collection!
*Other examples of shared ownership: The St. Louis Southwestern formed the Southwestern Greyhound; Southern Pacific formed the Pacific Greyhound; New Haven RR formed the New England Greyhound. The exception was that Union Pacific Stages, later called Overland Greyhound, was a Greyhound without any participating interest from the Greyhound bus company.
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: Greyhound (Richmond Greyhound Lines) | Price |
PRE-ORDER RE-RUN (PayPal debits account) |
| 90711 | Bus No R2188 |
$25.95 | sold out |
| 90712 | Bus No. R2189 | $25.95 | sold out |
| 90713 | Bus No. R2190 | $25.95 | sold out |
| 90714 | Bus No. R2191 | $25.95 | sold out |
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Union School District;)
The yellow school bus was common all over America transporting students to their schools. Some school districts purchased old transit buses for this very purpose. The lettering on the rear of the bus stating "Stop When Rd Lights Flash" and "Keep Back 100 Feet" are typically written in the state's vehicle code.
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: Union School District (yellow school bus) | Price |
PRE-ORDER RE-RUN (PayPal debits account) |
| 90715 | Bus No 6 |
$25.95 | sold out |
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Railroad M-O-W bus
These buses are use to transport workers to clean up a derailment, to change out a section of a rail, to build a shoefly, as examples. The lettering "Not for hire" is a legal requirement as well as the words "This Vehicle Stops at All Railroad Crossings." This bus will be in M-O-W silver-aluminum color.
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: Railroad Maintenance-of-Way | Price |
In stock (PayPal debits account) |
| 90716 | No Bus number | $25.95 | sold out |
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: Chicago Transit Authority, Green & White; City 2-door version |
Price | sold out |
| 90141 | Bus No. 7206 | $25.95 | sold out |
| 90161 | Bus No. 7267, with "TWA" ad, pictured above |
$25.95 | sold out |
| 90412 | CTA paint & logo. No bus number. | $25.95 | sold out/not re-run |
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) was created on April 12, 1945. By Oct. 1, 1947, CTA assumed control over the bus, elevated and streetcar operations. The propane powered C49-PGT replaced all remaining streetcars: these early "green" clean-air buses were assigned to the former trolley carbarns at 69th and 77th street garages, and were in service from 1956 to 1972. They were numbered 7200 to 7299, and equipped with General air suspension. The 1961 CTA bus fare was 25 cents plus a nickel for transfer.
Below are past production of Wheels of Time transit motor coaches
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Another view of 90261
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: San Francisco Municipal Railway, Green & Cream Wings, City 2-door version |
Price | Status |
| 90231 | Bus No. 2122 |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90241 | Bus No. 2162 |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90261 | Bus No. 2133, with "SF Federal" ad, pictured above |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
In 1912, one of the nation's oldest publicly-owned transit systems, the SF Municipal Railway, converted the Geary St. cable car to a trolley line. In '55, Muni replaced the Geary St. trolley car line and the worn out White gasoline buses with the C49DT. Six batches were purchased, eventually numbering 450 motor coaches. They seated 48, were powered by a 205 HP diesel @2100 RPM and Spicer 918 Transmission, and were the backbone of Muni's fleet in the '60s. These buses left the roster in the early '80s with #2607 preserved. Wheels of Time's Matthew Young remembers riding these buses as a child.
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| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: Greyhound Lines (Pacific Greyhound LInes - Western Greyhound Lines), Blue & White, no dog logo, Suburban 1-door version |
Price | Status |
| 90271 | Bus No. P1670, Destination Sign Set 1 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90281 | Bus No. P1676, Destination Sign Set 1 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90291 | Bus No. P1683, Destination Sign Set 2 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90301 | Bus No. P1690, Destination Sign Set 2 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
The Pacific Greyhound Lines (later Western Greyhound Lines), a subsidiary of Greyhound Corp., provided suburban operations in San Francisco with routes from Marin (replacing Northwestern Pacific Railroad passenger trains), the Peninsula and East Bay. In Southern Cal., routes connected Long Beach to Santa Monica, and San Diego to San Ysidro. These suburban (1 door) buses were delivered in June - July of 1957. They have a seating capacity of 51 and were powered by ENDTL Thermodyne 673 diesel with a 4-speed manual transmission.
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| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: LA Transit Lines, Yellow-Orange, Green, White - NCL "Fruit Salad" scheme, (paint scheme c. 1945-1958), city 2-door version |
Price | Status |
| 90341 | Bus No 5037 with "Ice Capades" ad |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90422 | LATL paint & logo. No bus number. | $25.95 | Sold Out |
National City Lines (NCL) purchased the LA Railway in 1945 from Huntington; renamed it as the Los Angeles Transit Lines (LATL). NCL motorized 100 streetcar systems including LA's with equity funding from General Motors and others. The familiar livery, dubbed "Fruit Salad", was retired on March 3, 1958 when LATL, Pacific Electic Ry., and Metro. Coach Lines were unified under the LA Metropolitan Transit Authority's two-tone green banner as a public agency. LATL took delivery of these buses in Oct. - Nov. 1947. All were equipped with automatic transmissions.
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Another view of 90371
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: Milwaukee & Suburban Transport Co., Orange & Off-White, City 2-door version |
Price | Sold Out |
| 90361 | Bus No. 1309 |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90371 | Bus No. 1317 |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90381 | Bus No. 1319 with WZUU ad |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
In 1953, the Milwaukee streetcars were sold to the Milwaukee & Suburban Transport Corporation with most streetcar routes converted to trolley buses and motor coaches. The destination sign, "No. 10 Wells", designates a former streetcar route while "No. 62 Capitol" had been a motor coach route since 1938. A weekly bus pass on these lines cost one dollar. The Transport Co. lasted until July 1, 1975, when the County of Milwaukee acquired ownership. Until that time, the Transport Co. was not publicly subsidized. This bus model, while similar to the ones used in Milwaukee, is not the exact model.
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90462Another View of 90462
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: Toronto Transit Commission Red & Cream, City 2-door version |
Price | Status |
| 90432 | Bus No. 1190, Destination Sign Set 1 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90442 | Bus No. 1193, Destination Sign Set 1 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90452 | Bus No. 1196, Destination Sign Set 2 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90462 | Bus No. 1198, Destination Sign Set 2 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90472 | Bus No. 1199 With ad, Destination Sign Set 2 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
The Toronto Transit Commission acquired 10 50-passenger diesel motor coaches numbered 1190 to 1199 between 1950 and 1952. The coaches were operated mainly on the Spadina Ave. route and maintained at the Davenport garage. The winged logo was adopted in 1954 with route number on the destination sign after 1956. Theses buses were retired around 1968.
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Another view of 90492 and 90512
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: New York City Transit Authority, Two-Tone Green (1958-1970+), City 2-door version |
Price | Status |
| 90482 | Bus No. 6022 |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90492 | Bus No. 6050, pictured above |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90502 | Bus No. 6261 |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90512 | Bus No. 6317 With "Diet Rite Cola" ad | $25.95 | Sold Out |
The New York City Transit Authority was created in 1953 to operate bus and subway lines. NYCTA acquired 318 motor coaches between July and Dec. 1956. They were numbered 6000 to 6317 and seated 49 passengers. The two-tone green paint scheme replaced green and white.
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| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: Denver Tramway Orange & Cream, City 2-door version |
Price | Status |
| 90522 | Bus No. 125 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90532 | Bus No. 128 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90542 | Bus No. 132 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90552 | Bus No. 147 | $25.95 | Sold Out |
The Denver Tramway Corporation started service in the City of Denver in 1886 with 3'-6" gauged trolley cars and cable cars. In 1950 DTC started running trolley and motor coaches. The diesel buses we have modeled were acquired in Dec. 1959 and seated 47 passengers. The DTC ceased operations in May 1971 after being taken over by the Denver Metro Transit.
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| Item # | Transit Motor Coach: AC Transit, Aqua Green Gray, Orange, White, City 2-door |
Price | Status |
| 90562 | Bus No. 2510 (last operational bus of its kind, retired on 2/65) Destination Sign Set 1 |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90572 | Bus No. 2529, pictured above Destination Sign Set 1 |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90582 | Bus No. 2542 With "Challenge fresh Milk" ad Destination Sign Set 2 |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90592 | Bus No. 2557 Destination Sign Set 2 |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) inherited these motor coaches from the bankrupted National City Lines' Key System. Operation under AC began 1960. No. 2510 has distinction of being the last bus of its kind in service, and was retired in 1965.
| Item # | Transit Motor Coach, Unlettered No image |
Price | Status |
| 90081 | Orange, Cream, Silver, City 2-door version |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90171 | Green & White, City 2-door version |
$25.95 | Sold Out |
| 90351 | Yellow-Orange, Green, White; National City Lines "Fruit Salad" scheme, City 2-door version |
$25.95 | Special Request only |
