Nineteen New Buses Put Into Service
The combined Coachways System is taking delivery of nineteen new buses this year, it has been announced by Operations Manager Jack Foote.
Six diesel Luxury Liners, one of which is pictured on the cover of this issue of The THUNDERBIRD, have been put into service on the Edmonton - Dawson Creek - Prince George - Prince Rupert runs.
Known as the "GMC 4107", the new deluxe scenic-cruiser which the company is introducing to Western Canada includes such features as air conditioning and attractive washroom facilities.
The new buses being bought this year, at a total cost of more than three quarters of a million dollars, include five Western Flyers, for use in Alaska and for long distance tours. Four of these Western Flyers have restrooms, and the fifth is a cargo-type.
The Western Flyer CANUCK (one was pictured on the cover of the first issue of The THUNDERBIRD) has a solid frame with spring-type suspension. Most modern highway buses ride on air bellows suspension, but these do not function well on rough gravel roads.
A special feature of the new buses is the increased luggage capacity. Space on the new GMs, for example, has been increased 50 percent to 280 cubic feet.
Three of the 19 buses are being purchased by the Sunburst System. Two are MC 5's (Challengers), manufactured by Motor Coach Industries; and the third is a standard Western Flyer, equipped with restroom.
Luxury Bus Has Oomph
Photo by The Daily News
Canadian Coachways driver Howard Hendricks of Smithers shows Oscar Johansen the big 310 horsepower diesel motor that pushes the new luxury bus on the Prince Rupert run.
The new powerful motor with 100 horsepower more than in the Flyers used on the northern run will give easier handling. Compressed air suspension will allow smoother riding and cornering.
Alternate blue and orange color of the seats gives a pleasant look to the interior that is raised in the passenger section to allow better forward visibility for passengers.
-- The Daily News
A total of 1,267 of the GMC 4107, or PD-4107, motorcoaches were built between 1966 and 1969. They are 35 feet long, 96 inches wide, and 132 inches high. With a wheelbase of 260 inches, they have a turn radius of 44 feet. The typical engine was a Detroit Diesel DDA 8V-71 rated at 310 horsepower, with a manual 4-speed transmission. The capacity of the fuel tank is 140 US gallons. They could be configured to seat between 38 and 45 passengers.
The PD-4107 introduced a higher passenger platform to provide more luggage capacity and the distinctive style informally known as the buffalo bus because of the profile of the humped roof. This basic style was used on all remaining intercity buses built by General motors.
GM built 1,267 of the PD-4107 including, in 1967, the last buses purchased from GM by Greyhound.
Minor changes were introduced in 68 model PD-4108 buses manufactured in 1970 and 1971. The P8M-4108A of which 232 were produced, was a 1972 update of the PD-4108 with minor changes.
Bus World Encyclopedia of Buses (1988)
Bus & Motorcoach History: Yukon & Northern British Columbia
