Philadelphia-Trackless Trolley Scenes with AM General Coaches

[@johnwoa]

Thanks to KZbin, all these sights "AND SOUNDS" of the trolley buses can be preserved for everyone to see AND HEAR. Before the Internet was in full swing, I was so afraid that all vintage transit sounds (i.e., GM Old Look diesel, trolley bus and PCC streetcar) would be lost forever. Thanks for your dedication in making these transit videos! John

[@tassiebaz]

Hi John, Thanks for your kind words. It's not only KZbin, but all the technology involved in taking and editing the pictures. I wish it had been around 40 or 50 years earlier. And, of course, it's always getting better. I'm really pleased that KZbin has provided a way of sharing these experiences with people who appreciate this stuff. Regards, tassiebaz

[@study81]

I remember the 29 and 79.. growing up in south philly .. my childhood ☺️🤘🏼

[@tassiebaz]

Hi kecia, Thanks for watching and for your comment. I hope this brought back good memories. I also have two more KZbin presentations you may like, one with the older trackless trolleys on Route 29 and one for Route 79. Stay well. Cheers, tassiebaz.

[@loocpoc]

I just went back down that way for a trip down memory lane. The islands on Castor Ave are gone as is Path ( they moved to Castor and Elgin in the old Firstrust Bank).

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Hal, Thanks for the update. I had a look on Google Maps and see what you mean about the islands being gone and changed into turn lanes. Many of the familiar places I knew are gone or changed over to another business. I guess that's progress over the years. All the best for 2022. Cheers, tassiebaz.

[@dez-ef5bo]

I remember riding these back in the 90's. I Also caught a glimpse of a 1982 septa neoplan 8300 series at 10:18

[@tassiebaz]

Hi dez 1984, Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment. Stay well. Cheers, tassiebaz.

[@johndoe-mi5ey]

This was like going in a time machine...so dope....91' ..i was in 4th grade...castor ave n frankford ave..my ol stompn grounds...clover...mcdonalds on frnkfrd n cottman...damm"

[@loocpoc]

Wow, so many changes along the Route 59.. When was the 59 filmed? Castor and Loney now has a traffic light. PSFS and the rental car place by Clover closed around 86-87

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Hal, Thanks for watching and for your comment. The videos were filmed in 1991 and the photos taken in the 1980s and 1990s. I'm working on a few new presentations featuring Rt 59 when they ran Brills and Marmons, so you'll really get to see some differences. I should have them published soon. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@Biscuit1973]

How many years ago was that video back on KZbin children because I remember riding one of these buses somewhere back in the late 90s and early 2000s when they’re within riding along Castor Avenue because somewhere in the mid-2000s they have taken them all out of service and then what happened they put new ones on there and their places.

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Bernard, The AM General trackless trolleys lasted until 2002 at Frankford (routes 59, 66, and 75) and 2003 at Southern (routes 29 and 79). The new coaches started running in 2008, but only at Frankford as the 2 lines at Southern were converted to bus. Cheers, tassiebaz.

[@Biscuit1973]

Very Good There .

[@tiernieves5940]

HY52 GTX This trolleybus was new in 11/2002.

[@RRansomSmith]

What was? Nothing was new regarding the coaches.

[@kevinhoward9593]

why did they make that weird sound when they turned corners? I read somewhere that the wires for express at Rhawn hadn't been working since the 70s.

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Kevin, I believe the noises came from the power steering systems. Regarding the express wires from Cottman to Rhawn, they were used for a while, but never were much of an advantage, and are gone now. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@RRansomSmith]

Kevin Howard they didn't have power steering. All manual. That noise is the air brake system.

[@chrismoore5249]

Route 59 looks so empty in this throwback video . I guess ridership went up big time on that route .

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Chris, Thanks for watching and for your comment. Most of the Route 59 scenes were taken near the end of the line, so there were not a lot of people around. I don't think the ridership ever came close to the level of the 1960s, when coaches ran every 2 minutes in the rush hour, and evening service was every 10 minutes until about 11 pm. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@freddiejames2083]

these are back in the Will Smith Summer Madness days😁😁😁😁

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Freddie, These ran from about 1979 to about 2002 on Route 66 and till the next year on Route 79 in South Philly.. Stay well. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@keithmaddox1239]

Don't forget Route 29

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Keith, For some reason I don't have any pictures of Generals on Route 29. Wish I did. Cheers, tassiebaz.

[@keithmaddox1239]

@@tassiebaz it's ok you did your best..if do have a photo by surprise download it on KZbin

[@tassiebaz]

@@keithmaddox1239 I do have a extensive presentation on KZbin of Route 29 with Brills. Please have a look if you haven't already seen it. Cheers, tassiebaz.

[@macelius]

Cool to see these in opearation. Just put the 8v71 out of a '76 AM General ex-Seattle METRO transit in my '61 GM PD-4106. Check out my channel for details.

[@tassiebaz]

Hi macelius, Thanks for watching and for your comment. I had a look at your video. Interesting, but a bit technical for me fully take in. Stay well. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@macelius]

@@tassiebaz Hey, thanks for checking it out. I only have a few short bus running videos so far, but more to come!