in November 2011, 1938 White Motor Company Model 706 Yellowstone Park Bus bus was found in a barn in Bozeman, Montana. It had been stored there for 50 years after being auctioned off in the 60s
The Union Pacific and Northern Pacific railroads had stops at the entrance gates to Yellowstone. The Milwaukee Road was not so fortunate, being about 75 miles away. Hence the need for the buses to shuttle passengers. Initially the Yellowstone Park Company, created by the Northern Pacific in the late 1800s, was put together to give Yellowstone tourists a tour of the park by stagecoach. I was in Skagway, Alaska about 30 years ago and was pleased to see a bus identical to the posted vehicle in tourist service there. Have to wonder if it wasn't one in use out in Yellowstone long ago. In fact, checking the Skagway website it looks as if the critters may still be in use.
thanks! I wish I had the time to look into the Skagway buses, as I've posted a couple other parks buses. I did cover the Yellowstone creation, Union Pacific collaboration and station at Yellowstone, and the connection with Walter Early https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2019/01/distributed-to-travel-agents-for-1929.html and https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-union-pacifics-stations-are.html
Your link detailing the Marent Gulch Bridge construction was particularly interesting. It brought to mind a book I read long ago about the construction of the first rail lines going west---and east out of California. The challenges faced by the surveyors and civil engineers searching for manageable routes, especially through the Rockies, is a tale to be told itself. But in a relative sense, that was the easy part compared to the actual construction. Wood was a major issue in the flat lands, an essential resource for ties (2300 per mile of track), fuel and bridges: there just wasn’t a lot to be had. Then there was the weather to deal with, and disease and food requirements. I can’t imagine undertaking a project of this magnitude with so many uncertainties.
The Union Pacific and Northern Pacific railroads had stops at the entrance gates to Yellowstone. The Milwaukee Road was not so fortunate, being about 75 miles away. Hence the need for the buses to shuttle passengers. Initially the Yellowstone Park Company, created by the Northern Pacific in the late 1800s, was put together to give Yellowstone tourists a tour of the park by stagecoach. I was in Skagway, Alaska about 30 years ago and was pleased to see a bus identical to the posted vehicle in tourist service there. Have to wonder if it wasn't one in use out in Yellowstone long ago. In fact, checking the Skagway website it looks as if the critters may still be in use.
ReplyDeletethanks! I wish I had the time to look into the Skagway buses, as I've posted a couple other parks buses.
DeleteI did cover the Yellowstone creation, Union Pacific collaboration and station at Yellowstone, and the connection with Walter Early https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2019/01/distributed-to-travel-agents-for-1929.html
and https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-union-pacifics-stations-are.html
did you see https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2019/09/1938-northern-pacific-yellowstone.html ?
Deleteand https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2020/11/the-marent-gulch-bridge-at-one-time-was.html
DeleteYour link detailing the Marent Gulch Bridge construction was particularly interesting. It brought to mind a book I read long ago about the construction of the first rail lines going west---and east out of California. The challenges faced by the surveyors and civil engineers searching for manageable routes, especially through the Rockies, is a tale to be told itself. But in a relative sense, that was the easy part compared to the actual construction. Wood was a major issue in the flat lands, an essential resource for ties (2300 per mile of track), fuel and bridges: there just wasn’t a lot to be had. Then there was the weather to deal with, and disease and food requirements. I can’t imagine undertaking a project of this magnitude with so many uncertainties.
Delete