NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC SERVICE INC.
|
| Fleet Nos. | Serial Numbers | Date delivered |
|---|---|---|
| 1785-1844 | 0985-1044 | 10/1954 |
| 1845-1882 | 1084-1121 | 06/1955 |
| 1883-1914 | 1368-1399 | 08-09/1955 |
| 1915-1966 | 2701-2752 | 03/1957 |
| 1967 | EXP-305 | 08/1958 |
The 183 5105s replaced many of the White 798 buses. Original deliveries came with the standard run number in the headsign. Buses from the first group were used to begin new limited stop service on the South Claiborne (Carrollton via Poydras) route in 1955. Amber lamps were installed on either side of the headsign, and the run number was moved down to the curbside windshield. I believe later arrivals of 5105s came with these modifications. Buses from the 1957 delivery were used to start the Express 70 (Carrollton via Earhart) and Express 71 (Nashville via Earhart) routes. On either the limited stop or express lines, the lamps flashed on and off when they were in that type of service. Standee windows were tinted blue. The buses wore a maroon and cream livery like the Whites and trolley coaches. Public Service "lightning bolt" logos (they have been described as 'paint swashes') appeared in the early 1960s.
Bus 1967 was originally a 5103 rebuilt with air suspension instead of springs. It became a demonstrator touring the country to sell 5105s. One of its stops was San Francisco, where it appeared in Muni green and cream "wings" livery and numbered 5105. General Motors air conditioned the bus and sent it to Washington, D.C. to visit the DC Transit system. In that operator's livery, it finished its tour before being sold to NOPSI, who installed the express lamps for service.
Acquisitions of New Look buses from GMC and Flxible began the replacement of the 5105s during the mid 1960s. A few were sold for continued use. I remember them well from the early 1970s on uptown and Gentilly lines such as Magazine, South Claiborne, Broad, and Franklin. The last old looks were retired with the arrival of the AM Generals in 1975.
Dayton, Ohio bought six of the 5105s; they were numbered 300-305-310-315-320-325. (CPTDB)
Some information comes from Eli Bail's great
Motor Coach Age
article on New Orleans from the October-December 2001 issue.
GMC 1787:
Third in the series GMC 1787 on the South Claiborne (Carrollton via Poydras) route climbing the entrance to S. Claiborne Ave.
from Poydras St. This uncredited press photo (no photographer, no newspaper name) is rubber stamped with date January 4, 1956.
That's a run number in the headsign, not a route number. NOPSI later moved the run no. into the curbside windshield.
The lamps are for limited service on the new Poydras branch begun March 14, 1955,
later also used to mark express lines. The Claiborne interchange with the Pontchartrain Expwy. was recently completed
and included this Poydras ramp. The Greater N.O. Bridge and I-10 would come later.
Two images from a scan of a photo in my collection added 05/26/19.
GMC 1790:
St. Louis 1200 on the Tulane trolley coach route at Canal and Elk Place. The marquees of the Saenger with
"Eighteen and Anxious" and Loew's with "Jailhouse Rock" place the slide in November or December '56. Ahead of the 1200 is
GMC bus 1790 turning onto Canal. The diesel is likely operating a branch of the South Claiborne bus line. Both
the Carrollton via Poydras and the Napoleon via Melpomene originally came down S. Rampart to Canal, then back up Baronne.
I think here we have a rerouting to Elk Place instead of Rampart, but I do not know whether this is temporary or permanent.
In later years, Melpomene buses used Loyola and Elk Place, returning via S. Rampart, while Poydras buses took Carondelet down
and St. Charles up. Slide in my collection. One photo added 04/10/12.
GMC 1791:
Woof! GMC 1791 on the Palmer Park line at the inner terminal (S. Claiborne and S. Carrollton) on April 24, 1964.
The run number within the destination sign still exists at this late date. Note the dog in front of the bus.
Scan of an uncredited slide added 09/13/20.
GMC 1793:
"One of 60 new 51-passenger diesel buses purchased by New Orleans Public Service Inc. in 1954 is pictured above.
The new, roomier vehicles feature such contributions to passenger comfort as power steering, automatic transmissions,
wider aisles, improved ventilation and air-suspension. The latter innovation replaces conventional metal leaf springs with
a compressed air suspension system." This description is attached to the back of this press photo (stamped January 4, 1955) of GMC 1793
parked at Canal Station, one of the new 1785-1844 series. The bus has the traditional NOPSI run number indicator in the destination sign window
but no express lamps yet. They would come with the new South Claiborne-Carrollton via Poydras limited stop service on March 14, 1955.
One photo added 04/09/19.
GMC 1804:
The as-delivered look of the old looks is demonstrated by GMC 1804 as it lays over at So. Claiborne and
So. Carrollton Aves. in late 1954 or early 1955. The headsign appears to be turned to "SO. CLAIBORNE SHUTTLE" although the
latter word barely appears within the window. Run number is 30. Next to it is bus 1819, and behind the coaches
is a filling station. The maroon that appears in the sunlight is beautiful. Slide in my collection.
One photo added 11/15/11.
Here is the updated look of GMC 1804. Express lamps flank the headsign, which still has the run number included. Later series
5105s would carry the run number in the curbside windshield. It's on the Elysian Fields line at Canal near Decatur St.
on April 29, 1964, right before the Canal car line was replaced by buses. Scan of an uncredited slide added 01/18/20.
GMC 1807:
GMC 1807 on the South Claiborne bus line at Baronne and Julia Sts. on August 25, 1955. Note the track turnouts
that truncate. A number of streetcar lines used to take Julia, particularly S. Claiborne in the 1920s.
Baronne is one-way upbound, so the St. Charles streetcar line that used to operate here must now be rerouted to
Carondelet and St. Charles Sts. Overhead are twin wires for the Jackson trolley coach line, and a single wire
over the river side streetcar track is visible. And at the curb in the foreground is a truck of
Charles L. Franck Commercial Photography.
Charles L. Franck / Franck-Bertacci Photographers Collection, The Historic New Orleans Collection
(www.hnoc.org). One photo added 05/20/11.
GMC 1810:
"City officials get a preview of the new $23,000 buses New Orleans Public Service Inc. will put into service on the Claiborne and Nashville
lines Sunday. From left, Councilmen A. Brown Moore and Victor H. Schiro;
Paul L. Bistroph, director of the department of utilities, NOPSI, and Councilmen
Walter Duffoure, James Fitzmorris and Paul Burke." Press photo stamped November 10, 1954
added 04/09/19.
GMC 1810 (without express lamps) on the Desire line at Royal and St. Peter Sts in the 1950s, probably before 1955
when the lamps were installed on this series for S. Claiborne. Uncredited photo from my collection added 10/09/17.
GMC 1839:
GMC 1839 turning across Canal St. near the loop in an April 1964 slide. It's operating on the Elysian Fields or
the Express 91 bus line.
One photo added 04/24/15.
GMC 1853:
GMC 1853 on the Desire line outbound at Bourbon and St. Louis Sts. in June 1956. Slide in my collection.
One photo added 11/26/11.
GMC 1876:
GMC 1876 on the Desire line at Royal and Dumaine Sts. in an undated and uncredited slide. Note the concrete
bus stop sign at the left. One photo added 08/06/18.
GMC 1912:
GMC 1912 loads at John F. Kennedy High School on a charter movement on November 16, 1966.
Scan of a Times-Picayune photo added 11/21/18.
GMC 1927:
GMC 1839 turning across Canal St. near the loop in an April 1964 slide. It's operating on the Elysian Fields or
the Express 91 bus line.
One photo added 04/24/15.
Car 930 still shows its rebuilt splendor a few months after suffering a fire in this slide dated January 1971. GMC 1927 sits in the next bay at right.
One photo added 07/08/13.
Carrollton Station scene in a slide dated April 1971 shows car 971 on the left with some GMC buses, old look 1927 and new looks 122 and 110.
One photo added 01/07/12.
GMC 1927 in front of the Willow St. side of Carrollton Station in an April 1973 slide.
One photo added 07/25/16.
GMC 1927 signed Tulane turning at S. Carrollton Ave. and Jeanette St. in July 1973.
Uncredited slide from my collection added 10/09/17.
GMC 1927 on the Tulane line at S. Carrollton and S. Claiborne Aves. on August 31, 1973.
GMC 25 on Express 70 is to the right of the Old Look bus. The Kenner Local bus shelter to the left has many people waiting,
and a Fiesta Hot Tamales cart selling at 25 cents a dozen. Time on the K&B Drugs clock says 5:16.
Slide taken by Herbert G. Frank Jr. comes from my collection and was added 12/09/21.
Perley Thomas car 926 ready for a charter by the National Railway Historical Society is the center of attention in this Earl W. Hampton, Jr. photo, but you can see
GMC 1927 signed for Tulane at the right. Carrollton Station, September 1973. This location once housed buses for
the Tulane, Carrollton, and Palmer Park bus lines.
One photo added 03/15/11.
Another Earl W. Hampton, Jr. shot of GMC 1927, this time with car 963 also signed for the NRHS.
One photo added 04/12/11.
GMC 1928:
This 1970 Earl W. Hampton, Jr. photo shows the proud handiwork done on Perley Thomas car 930 after
suffering a fire. At right is GMC 1928 signed for Tulane.
One photo added 03/15/11.
GMC 1928 turning from Willow St. to South Carrollton Ave. outbound, likely to do a Tulane run.
Slide from my collection dated April 25, 1973 added 07/25/16.
GMC 1930:
GMC 1930 between St. Charles streetcar 910 and GMC 123 at Carrollton Station on May 15, 1968. H. George Friedman collection.
One photo added 10/17/13.
GMC 1932:
From the Redden Archives collection comes GMC 1932 on the
Desire bus line in the French Quarter. One photo replaced 03/15/11.
GMC 1936:
GMC 1936 on the St. Claude to Refinery line at N. Rampart and St. Ann Sts. about January 1974.
Slide by Earl W. Hampton, Jr. One photo added 04/13/11.
GMC 1940:
The front interior of GMC 1940 in a slide dated January 1971. The Grant farebox NOPSI installed on all vehicles during 1970-71
is visible. The headsign reads "Bus Garage" through the view window. A dual fare register is mounted above the windshield.
One photo added 07/08/13.
GMC 1943:
GMC 1943 on St. Claude to Lizardi at N. Rampart at St. Ann Sts. about January 1974.
Note how beat up the bus looks, especially the rear, as it nears seventeen years of age. The full St. Claude route was to the American Sugar Refinery
(now Domino Sugar) in Chalmette, just across the parish line. The Lizardi turnback allowed it to meet the Barracks bus at St. Claude Ave.
and Forstall St. after crossing the Industrial Canal. In this picture, the bus is heading up to Canal Street.
Slides by Earl W. Hampton, Jr. Two photos added 04/13/11.
GMC 1964:
GMC 1964 has stopped at NOLA Fabrics in the French Quarter about January 1974.
Slide by Earl W. Hampton, Jr. One photo added 04/13/11.
GMC 1967:
GMC 41 in front of a 1700 series White (side banner says Workhorse of the Transit Fleet, Gasoline Powered,
Gradually Being Retired), GMC old look 1967 (banner generally unreadable but mentions the air conditioning
unit mounted on this coach), and other new 5301s (One of 68 Air-Conditioned Transit Liners, something New Orleans)
at City Hall to announce the introduction of the 1-68 series New Looks, which are flying Express pennants.
This is a press photo November 7, 1960. One image added 03/03/19.
A nighttime rear shot of GMC 1967 at Canal Station in a slide dated January 1971. The air conditioning was
installed by GMC as part of the coach's tour of transit facilities.
One photo added 07/08/13.
UNKNOWN NUMBER GMCS:
GMC 180x on the Desire line at Royal and St. Peter Sts. in an uncredited slide stamped December 1959.
It's interesting that the run number is still in the destination sign plus express lamps. Added 04/09/19.
An unknown number GMC is stopped at Waterbury's drug store at S. Rampart and Canal Sts. on April 4, 1955.
The trolley coach wires are for the Jackson route, and the bus is on the South Claiborne line.
Charles L. Franck / Franck-Bertacci Photographers Collection, The Historic New Orleans Collection
(www.hnoc.org). One photo added 03/20/11.
An unknown number 5105 sits in the middle of Howard Ave. and Carondelet St. taking on passengers from
St. Charles streetcar no. 910, circa March 1974. This may be a Carnival short turn for the trolley.
Slide by Earl W. Hampton, Jr. One photo added 04/12/11.
DAYTON CITY TRANSIT/MVRTA 300:
Before repainting in Dayton City Transit colors, we see ex-NOPSI GMC 1859 with a label on the front of the dash indicating
number 300. This image, which likely dates before the RTA takeover on November 5, 1972, comes from the Gerald Squier collection courtesy Scott Richards.
One photo added 10/22/14.
Dayton GMC 300 in a color slide dated July 1980 from my collection. Photo added March 3, 2019.
DAYTON CITY TRANSIT/MVRTA 310:
Dayton GMC 310 in an August 1972 slide.
One photo added 04/24/15.
Dayton GMC 310 on June 8, 1974.
One photo added 09/11/13.
Dayton GMC 310 pictured with a North American Aviation XB-70 Valkyrie jet at the
United States Air Force Museum (now called National Museum of the United States Air Force) in April 1981.
Slide by T. McNamara from my collection added 10/09/17.
DAYTON CITY TRANSIT/MVRTA 315:
Dayton GMC 315 in a November 24, 1978 slide by G. Gerrish Williams.
One photo added 04/24/15.
Dayton GMC 315 signed Greenwich Village at Second and Main Sts. in January 1980. Uncredited slide from my collection added 10/09/17.
Dayton GMC 315 in a color slide dated July 1980 from my collection. Photo added March 3, 2019.
DAYTON CITY TRANSIT/MVRTA 320:
Dayton GMC 320 in a color slide dated July 1980 from my collection. Photo added March 3, 2019.
DAYTON CITY TRANSIT/MVRTA 325:
Dayton GMC 325, an ex-NOPSI 5105, on July 16, 1971. Louis Adler photo, used with
permission. One photo replaced 03/15/11.
Dayton GMC 325 at the yard on June 24, 1978. Uncredited slide from my collection added 10/09/17.