With temperatures dropping into the low 30’s at night here in the Empire State we start to realize the cold grip of winter is hanging just around the corner. As the photos below show it’s possible to have snow in just a few months, and by that I mean October! Dan sends us a set from the Buffalo October snow storm from a few years ago. Great shots Dan!
The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida is 47 square miles of vacation paradise containing four theme parks, two water parks and 23 on resort hotels and numerous golf courses. Around 44 million people attended WDW in 2010. Insanity. Needless to say, that is a lot of people to move around but this is Disney for which there are no boundaries that can not be overcome. A variety of methods are used to transport guests around the resort including boats, ferries, monorails, trains and buses. Unofficial estimates place the Disney bus fleet at around 300 units, rivaling that of most American cities. The buses operate for every onsite resort and theme park and are the ultimate way to get around the parks if you don’t have a car. Lets take a look at the three models of buses operated by Disney World.
The RTS
The RTS, quite possibly one of the most popular designs in American buses in the past 3o years. Originally produced by GM and later MTS the Disney bus fleet was at one time completely comprised of this model bus. Although production of the RTS ceased in 2009 its likely these buses are much older than that. Undeniably Detroit Diesel powered there did not seem to be one model year running in the fleet based on the various break and signal light configurations. With the Disney penchant for maintenance I would expect these remaining RTS buses to be on the road for years to come.
The Nova
The Nova, the spiritual successor to the RTS? Nova Bus acquired the former GM (later MCI) factories that produced the RTS and began production of the model you see below. The Disney fleet doesn’t appear to have too many of the Novas’ in service compared to the aged and RTS and newer Gillig models.
The Gillig
We now come to the workhorse of the Disney Bus Fleet, the Gillig. When visiting a Disney park and riding a bus your chances are high that it will be this model over all others.
Hope all you bus fans enjoyed this one! My only regret, not riding one of the RTS models during my vacation but that is what next year is for for right? 😉
A few years ago I paid a visit to the New York State Museum in Albany, NY. Aside from being a fantastic museum (the only official state museum in the U.S.) they also have a sobering exhibit based around the terrorist attacks on 9/11, the rescue efforts and eventual recover. I highly suggesting paying a visit if not to see the museum but this exhibit. As the years roll on the horrific events of that day begin to loss their impact and their meaning but being able to see actual pieces of the tower, the planes and the fire trucks helps cement the reality of that day in your mind.
I’ll be on vacation for a few days so the activity rate around here may drop just a tiny bit. I know, what ever will you do with all your free time? Try to hang in there, Daily Diesel Dose will be back up to full RPM by the middle of next week.
The ATCA show in Harford this past weekend had quite a few unique trucks. But perhaps the ones below are the most unique if not the oldest. The first truck is a 1921 White Model 45 owned by Tim Hoover. Beautifully restored this is a prime example of where trucks began in the United States. To think this truck worked in a rock quarry with the those solid steel wheels makes me spine hurt! And what about that dash, one gauge!
Before the age of powerful hydraulics dump trucks like this one had to rely on the power of mechanics and gears. A powerful gear moved a large block to which chains were attached around pulleys in order to raise and lower the bed. All breaking was done at the transmission, no ABS here.
Another interesting feature of this truck are the headlights. They are powered by a small tank of acetylene located on the drivers side. Acetylene powered lights were popular at the time for their bright light while electric lights suffered from short lifespan from weak filaments.
Also on display was this 1926 Autocar model 27 HPDS which shared much of the technology as the White. However, the tires are now full rubber with brakes at the rear wheels. An open cab made for a fun time in poor weather. Despite how antiquated these two trucks appear they were high technology at the time and are still very cool today.
Enjoy a selection of videos from this years ATCA Endless Mountain truck show in Harford, PA.
Finally! A cool hybrid. And to think, out of all the global vehicle manufactures it was Volvo! The Mean Green is a 1900 HP turbo charged asphalt eater with a 200 HP electric motor. You will not find a meaner Volvo on the face of the earth. Click the link to below to see what happens when a Ferrari challenges Mean Green to a duel on the track.
This past Sunday the ATCA Endless Mountain chapter held their 21st annual truck show at the fair grounds in Harford, PA. Despite the foggy conditions and ominous thunder in the distance a large number of trucks made the show. Check back through out the week for videos and a closer look at some trucks that started it all.
On this day workers all across the country enjoy a well deserved national holiday of rest. With that in mind enjoy this fine gallery of the trucks used by the public servants in the Town of Manlius, NY use to keep the roads paved and plowed. Happy Labor Day!
Here we have one tired Mack Superliner. At one point this rig had a full wrecker on the back but as you can see not much of it left. Plenty of oil and other fluids on the ground that seemed to make a trail like the truck had been moving but I doubt it did so without help. This Mack also has round headlights which I believe puts this truck at the start of Superliner production back in the late 70’s. Maybe this is Towmaters distant cousin?
*UPDATE* The resident Mack expert at Hanks Truck Forum pegs this as a 1st generation Superliner produced between 1977 and 1984. It was also mentioned that this truck is wearing a Mack R model bumper.
Know an old truck you would like to see on this site? Email Me!
