Citizens' Rapid Transit Company   3400 Victoria Boulevard, Hampton, VA 23661 http://www.hrtransit.org/
THEN:				NOW:
				Hampton Roads Transit 3400 Victoria Blvd Hampton, VA 23661 757-222-6100 http://www.drpt.state.va.us/ locator/providerdetails. aspx?id=29
1956 Anchor, p. 55 The Stuart Gardens Special	Courtesy of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 11/16/03 WOW!  Bless your heart, Dave!  Thanks so much!	Courtesy of Aretie Gallins Patterson ('59) of Northern VA - 12/01/05 Oh, I like the way these are arranged - thank you!	1957 Anchor, p. 167	11/17/03
04/24/04			12/05/03	Courtesy of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA  - 07/29/04

THEN:
April 16, 1967 - Hampton Bus #206, a 1959 MACK C-49-DT "new look."  It originally operated in Schenectady, NY.	April 16, 1967 - Hampton Bus #403, a 1957 MACK C-47-DT.  It originally operated in Little Rock, AR.	April 16, 1967 - Hampton Bus #200 - a 1960 MACK C-47-DT "new look."	June 18, 1967 -  Hampton Bus #219 - a 1967 FLXIBLE, powered by a CUMMINS V-8 diesel engine
Images courtesy of Bruce Korusek (John Marshall High School, Richmond - '66) of VA brought to our attention by Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 04/24/04  Pictures at last!  Thanks so much, Dave!   And thank you, Bruce, for capturing them!
A rear shot of one of CRTC's Mack buses.  This one was a 1957 C-47-DT.  It was originally operated in Little Rock.  This view was taken in downtown Newport News on January 10, 1973.	A rear view of one of CRTC's Flxible buses.  This one was a 1968 model. Taken on September 13, 1973, note the progress on the building in the background as compared to the previous photo.	CRTC #69 was a 1942 Yellow Coach (GM) TG-3205.  GM buses were sold under the name of Yellow Coach until 1944.  This 1951 view shows the bus somewhere in Newport News or Hampton.	Pentran #201 (ex-CRTC #201) was a 1960 Mack C-47-DT "new look."  It was one of the last buses that Mack built.  It is seen here circa 1976 in downtown Newport News.
Courtesy of  Bruce Korusek (JMHS - '66) of VA - 06/28/04 and 06/29/04  WOW - glorious COLOR images!!  Thanks so very much, Bruce!  Notice Trinity Methodist Church in the background of the first picture. In the second, W.T. Grant's is clearly visible, along side the construction of that - that monstrous thing - where the fabled Antine's is "posta" be.  Sheesh - I had no idea the carnage had begun as early as 1973.... Thanks for the history lesson, Bruce.
While most people wouldn't care, I must share some info on CRTC....which you may already know....maybe not. It was a most unusual transit system in its equipment. In the 1950's and 1960's almost every transit company in the country went over to GM diesel buses. CRTC DID NOT. They favored MACK buses and bought them until the end of MACK's bus building (1960). After that CRTC would buy used MACKs from all around the country. Apparently after pressure from Newport News and/or Hampton in the mid 1960's for some new buses, CRTC bought three sets of Flxibles (1968, 68, and 69). They were unusual in the fact that they did not have GM diesel engines or Allison (GM) automatic transmissions. They bought Cummins V-8 engines and Spicer automatic transmissions in their Flxibles. Before Pentran's new Flxible buses (with GM diesel engines and Allison automatic transmissions), CRTC had one of the largest, if not the largest, MACK bus fleets in the country. The only property to come close was San Francisco. Pentran (after takeover of CRTC) had the distinction of having the last MACK buses in revenue service in the country (1977). As a bus fan from childhood, I would come down to Hampton to see and photograph the Mack buses.... the only other active Mack buses in the state were 35 in Norfolk, which had been converted from gasoline engines to GM diesel engines in the mid 1950's. They were all retired in 1970. More bus info, I'm sure, than you would care to know, but in light of CRTC's unusual operation, I felt the need to pass it on. - Bruce Korusek (JMHS - '66) of VA - 06/29/04 Now THAT is cool information to learn, Bruce!  Of course, it helps that I have a deep sentimental attachment to the old MACK buses myself....
	These photos show an old CRTC Mack bus, I think that it was #198, a 1958 Mack C-47-DT. When Pentran sold off the Mack buses in 1976 and 1977, there was no market for them as "buses"....no one operated Mack buses anymore. A few went to bus collectors, some probably went to the scrap yard, and a lot of them went to the Virginia State Corrections Department. They were used all around the state at prisons hauling prisoners, probably mostly to and from work details. A friend of mine and I bought the bus at a prison auction circa 1984. The top photo shows it as we got it. In the bottom view you see the same bus after we painted it in National City Lines colors for the made for TV movie, THE VERNON JOHNS STORY, made in Richmond in 1993. National City Lines owned the bus franchise in Montgomery, Alabama, and despite the fact that the did NOT operate postwar Macks, the colors are authentic Montgomery colors of the 1950's. After sitting for almost ten years, we put fuel and batteries in the old bus and it immediately started, and it ran in the movie, which still shows from time to time on TV. The bus has been donated to the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. Overbussed yet, Carol???
- Bruce Korusek (JMHS - '66) of VA - 06/29/04 WOW!  COOL!!!  Hey - Do I LOOK overbussed?!?  No, I didn't think so! Thanks so much, Bruce!
At Buckroe Beach Amusement Park	Here is one of my favorite CRTC pictures...of #318, a 1947 Mack C-45.  This bus originally operated in St. Louis.  Here it is seen in Newport News on June 17, 1974.... and the bus looks great after 27 years of service.	Pentran #324 was a 1955 Mack C-47-DT.  It is seen here in Newport News on June 6, 1975.
Image by Bruce Korusek (JMHS - '66) of VA, courtesy of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 05/31/04 Thanks, Guys!	- Bruce Korusek (JMHS - '66) of VA - 07/17/04 OH - DOUBLE WOW, Bruce!!  These are fabulous images!  Thanks so much!
WOW!!!!   And of course you recognize the 34th Street Bridge at Huntington, right? - Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 07/17/04		The bus is on Jefferson Avenue, having just passed 31st Street. That is Helmer's Feed Store in the background. It sat on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and 31st Street. The Helmer twin boys (Bernie and Bobby) were in the Class of 1961. That was really my old stomping ground as a young child, for I went there to purchase seed for my mother's flower garden and our vegetable garden. And frequent trips for pigeon food, for my Dad raised homing pigeons. - Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 07/18/04 Thanks, Joe! I remember the gorgeous Helmer twins very well.  As I've said before, I may have forgotten many things, but hot guys were generally not among those!
Just coming down from the 34th Street Bridge. Great Shot. Thanks for sharing it with me. - Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 07/18/04
This image (J-318) and the other one (L-206) are most definitely the 39th Street Bridge. (see below) - Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 07/18/04 WOW!  Great detective work, Dave!
I will send a few more pics soon....I don't want to overwhelm or bore you with bus photos! You can select what you like and save them however you wish and delete the rest. I'm sure when you were riding all of those old Macks buses in the 1960's that you had no idea how rare they were.... the rest of the U.S. transit systems were running GM's. Best wishes! - Bruce Korusek (JMH - '66) of VA - 07/18/04 Giggles!  That's funny, Bruce!  I archive everything; I never delete anything - it's against my principles! But thanks!

Another old CRTC photo....in this shot, one of their Mack buses crosses one of the Newport News bridges in the summer of 1965.
- Bruce Korusek (JMHS - '66) of VA - 07/28/04 Oh, WOW!  Thanks, Bruce
Am I hallucinating, or is it possible this depicts my very own personal Stuart Gardens bus crossing my very own personal 28th Street (?) Bridge on its way downtown? - Carol Buckley Harty ('65) of NC - 07/30/04	I had been scratching my head trying to figure out which bridge this was.  I was waiting for my next trip to the Peninsula to eyeball all three and see which had a large building next to it ... or used to have such a building. But, now that you have suggested that it is the 28th St bridge, I am pretty sure that the building is the south wall of the old Noland Company. I will have a look next visit over there. - Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 07/30/04 Thanks, Dave!		The Black and White image appears to be the 25th Street Bridge. Crystal Ice Company was located on the corner of 25th Street and Warwick Blvd. and it is shown in this photo at the left side. The 28th Street Bridge was longer, and had a level surface at the apex. 25th Street Bridge was rounded entirely, which is confirmed by the curved steel in the background. - Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 07/30/04 Thanks, Joe!
CRTC #334 was a 1947 Mack C-45-GT.  It originally operated for the St. Louis Public Service Company.  I wonder if any of you folks remember this bus, Carol? It was CRTC's only air conditioned transit bus.  The air conditioning unit was probably put on at CRTC or for them.... it definitely was not a Mack item and did not come new like this.  This bus probably spent most of its time on the Hampton Tour.  CRTC did have two air conditioned coach type buses for charters....again Macks....very unusual again, as MACK only built about 26 coach type buses after World War 2.  I took this shot somewhere in downtown Newport News on June 17, 1974.		Pentran has taken over, but the CRTC colors are still seen on this 1958 MACK 97-D coach.  Note the odd windows....they slant backward when all other "slanting" windows found on buses slanted forward. CRTC bought two of these 1958 Mack coaches used in the early or mid 1960's. I took this photo of the bus while it was on a charter in Richmond on April 15, 1975.
- Bruce Korusek (JMHS - '66) of VA - 07/29/04 Oooh - RARITIES!  I don't believe I ever had the privilege of riding either of these two buses.  Thanks, Bruce!
This Mack ad featuring CRT from the November 1958 issue of Mass Transportation enlarges in two parts.
- Bruce Korusek (JMHS - '66) of VA - 08/09/04 WOWZERS!!!  Thanks, Bruce!

CRTC #91 was a 1949 Mack C-37-GT. I don't know the location of this 1951 photo....perhaps at the ferry turnaround?	CRTC #170 was a 1951 Mack C-41-DT. Another 1951 view...location also not known.	CRTC #143 was a 1942 Mack LD-3G. Another 1951 view and again unknown location.	CRTC #201 was a 1960 Mack C-47-DT. July 1965 view in downtown Newport News.
Hi, Carol: Thanks for sharing the latest four photos of the CRT buses.  You got the first one correctly. It is the Norfolk Ferry Dock & Passenger Station at the foot of Terminal Avenue. The wooden gates confirm it, along with the roof line of the terminal building. - Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 08/27/04	Photo #2, Buckroe bus, sorry I cannot identify. - Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 08/27/04	Photo #3 Buses queued up for Shipyard workers to board them for various destinations, on Washington Avenue (while still 2-way traffic) adjacent to the main gate of the Shipyard. - Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 08/27/04	Photo #4, heading east on 25th Street in the 300-Block, background is the law library and court annex, and jail annex. Hope this helps, Joe - Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 08/27/04
		Outside the "Atlanta Lunch" diner, 2413-1/2 Jefferson Avenue.... - Ron Miller ('59) of NC - 11/15/05
- Bruce Korusek (JMHS - '66) of VA - 08/26/04  Oh, COOL!  Thanks, Bruce - and Joe - and Ronnie!
Pentran #182, ex-CRTC #182, a 1952 Mack C-41-DT, is seen leaving the shipyards on the afternoon of June 6, 1975.	Pentran #193, ex-CRTC #193, a 1958 Mack C-47-DT, is seen leaving the shipyard on the afternoon of June 6, 1975.	Pentran #412, ex-CRTC #412, was a 1957 Mack C-47-DT.  This is one of the ex-Little Rock Macks and was 102 inches wide....the other CRTC buses were 96 inches wide. Another view leaving the shipyards on the afternoon of June 6, 1975.	Pentran #333, ex-CRTC #333, was a 1947 Mack C-45-GT. This bus originally ran in St. Louis and was gasoline powered.... it was converted to diesel power....possibly by CRTC. It is missing the original chrome trim on the front that was seen  on 1946-1952 Mack buses. Another view leaving the shipyards on the afternoon of June 6, 1975, this bus looks loaded down the way it seems to lean to the right rear.  A  Flxible bus is seen following.
- Bruce Korusek (JMHS - '66) of VA - 08/29/04  Oh, Bruce!  These are GORGEOUS!  I almost lost it when I saw that that Stuart Gardens Bus.  THAT'S MY BUS!!! I really prefer the design of the #182 - and the #318 - better, but I can't tell you how often I rode #412. Thanks SOOOO much!
This is a CRTC charter bus postcard from the 1960's showing one of the 1958 MACK 97-D coaches.	A better view of CRTC's only air conditioned transit bus...a 1947 Mack C-45-GT that originally ran in Little Rock.  CRTC acquired it in 1962.  I don't know who put the a/c unit on it, Little Rock or CRTC...very possibly CRTC. By the time I took this shot on June 6, 1975, the bus had been taken over by Pentran (note decal on the side of the bus).	Another June 6, 1975 rear view of a now Pentran, ex-CRTC, Mack bus. This one, #206, was one of five 1959 Mack C-49-DT's that CRTC acquired from Schenectady in 1964.  They had "new look" fronts on them and this rear view shows the "modern" one piece rear window and round turn signal/brake lights...as compared to the split rear windows and arrow type lights on older Macks.	One of my early snapshots shows CRTC #407, one of the 1957 Macks that came from Little Rock, in downtown Newport News on August 8, 1964.  Note that a driver is seen at the door of the bus...perhaps this a relief point and he is about to relieve the driver on duty.
- Bruce Korusek (JMHS - '66) of VA - 09/07/04	- Bruce Korusek (JMHS - '66) of VA - 09/11/04 OHHH, these are mighty pretty!  Thanks, Bruce!
CRTC #182, a 1952 Mack C-41-DT, is seen in downtown Newport News on August 31, 1965.	CRTC #91 was a 1949 Mack C-37-GT.  In this 1951 view it is probably in Newport News.....perhaps your detective Dave can determine the location.	CRTC #155 was a 1944 GM TG-3609....yes, CRTC did have a few GM buses, but disposed of them as soon as they could acquire more Macks.  Location of this 1951 photo is unknown.	The only GM buses that CRTC bought (the others in its fleet were inherited from the previous operator) were 10 GM TGM-3207's in 1947.  They were #'s 1-10 in the CRTC fleet.  They were somewhat odd buses for a postwar city transit system....they had three speed manual transmissions...not automatics.  Some of these buses were sold to Fairfield Transit Company (a Richmond suburban company).  This view shows one of them in downtown Richmond in 1965.....still in CRTC colors.  I don't have any pix of them when they were at CRTC.
- Bruce Korusek (JMHS - '66) of VA - 09/11/04   Thanks, Bruce!
Hi, Carol..... Still here with CRTC bus shots to forward for your interest...   Here is CRTC #183, a 1952 Mack C-41-DT.  It is seen at the CRTC garage on on January 28, 1968.	CRTC #411 was a 1957 Mack C-47-DT.  It was one of a group of buses that CRTC bought from Little Rock's transit system.  It was a wide (102 inch) bus....all the other CRTC buses were 96 inches wide. This is another photo taken at the CRTC garage on January 28, 1968.	1952 Anchor, p. 136	1961 Owl, p.51
- Bruce Korusek (JMHS - '66) of VA - 10/29/04   Thanks, Bruce!		- Courtesy of Tom Norris (HHS - '73) of VA - 12/09/04 Thanks, Tom!
1961 Krabba, p. 179 "One of the many buses provided for the away games"	1969 Kecoughtan High School yearbook, p. 239	1950's	Summer 1954 Washington Avenue and 28th Street
- Courtesy of Tom Norris (HHS - '73) of VA - 12/09/04 Thanks, Tom!		- Bruce Korusek (JMHS - '66) of VA - 02/02/05   Thanks, Bruce!	- Bruce Korusek (JMHS - '66) of VA - 02/24/05   Thanks, Bruce!

I had some time today to read some of your web page, and wonder if you knew Dr. Black,
who was chief of surgery at the VA Hospital at Kecoughtan in the 50's.
His son, James Black, Esquire is a friend of mine and he lives in the Tampa Bay area.
Jim was head of the Bond Claim Department at Fidelity and Deposit Insurance Company in Baltimore, MD for many years,
and took a demotion when Zurich took over the F & D, and he went to the field in Tampa, to get ready for retirement

 When James lived on the Virginia Lower Peninsula while his dad was at the VA Hospital,
he worked as a Citizen Rapid Transit bus driver during the summer months while he was in college and law school.
I did not know him then.
After my return from the Marines, I began my civilian career in insurance claims,
and attended an Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association.
Seating was arranged by the host, and during a luncheon Jim and I kept asking where we might have crossed paths.
I had been representing CRT in their injury claims made by passengers,
and had interviewed him in connection with an investigation.
I boldly ask if he might have been a bus driver at one time and he said "Yes". We made the connection.
One of the program leaders was also seated at the table with us, and later in the day when he introduced Jim Black
who was to deliver a paper and speech, he gave his background.
Impressive as it was with law school honors, but added "Former Bus Driver", which brought a great laugh from the audience.

- Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 05/28/04
Thanks, Joe!

- Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 05/29/04, amended 06/14/04
What a wonderful story!  Thanks so much, Joe!

I just looked at your website with the CRTC bus pix....I was amazed at the interest they seem to have generated....
no doubt a lot of folks have stories about CRTC "experiences"....most of them good, I hope.
Your talents at putting all of this together are remarkable....I can barely operate a computer!
I am so glad that some of the pix I took so many years ago can be shared with others....through your interest and talents.
Thanks!

- Bruce Korusek (JMHS - '66) of VA - 09/11/04
Oh, Bruce - thank YOU!  This has become one of my very favorite pages,
and the bulk of the images and expertise has all come from you!

Bruce, every time I visit the CRT Bus section I am beside myself, a flurry of emotions. 
That may seem silly talking about city buses but they were a very important part of my childhood. 
For me there is a mystique about them probably because as a child
boarding and riding one meant a new adventure. 
My mother use to take me onboard them many...many...many times and as I entered junior high and high school,
the city leased the older ones to the school systems as school buses so the memory continued into the early 70s. 
I also remembered that first ride on the new GM buses and when Pentran took things over ending an era.   
As the Mack buses were being sold off I remembered how sad I felt knowing I would not see them again
and not having the means to buy one for myself. 
There was nothing like waiting on a corner seeing that red and white widow's peak coming at you
and watching your token drop down in the box.

- Eric Huffstutler (Bethel HS - '75) of VA - 10/09/04
Thanks, Eric!  I'm glad to learn that this page is important to someone other than just Bruce and me!

Carol .... I was checking the CRT section of the website .... the picture of CRTC #91 from 1951 was taken in front
of Atlanta Lunch (note the sign) at 2413 1/2 Jefferson Ave. Does the route sign on the front of the bus say "Colored"????
I can only read part of it .... and don't remember a route that would have that sequence of letters. Did blacks have their own
bus that early on???? I remember the segregated buses with the line across the back floor where the blacks had to sit, but
don't remember a separate bus. Makes sense though .... maybe Bruce has details. Address came from the 1952 NN City
Directory ... and I am not sure of ANY whites that would want to ride a bus to that part of town.

CRTC 170 and 143 are also in front of Atlanta Lunch (look at the building structure as compared to the previous pic).

I have about a dozen or so CRT pics to scan ... one I took myself and others from various yearbooks.
I have a very good 1951 closeup.

- Tom Norris (HHS - '73) of VA - 10/16/04
Hey, Babe - nice detective work!  Thanks!

 I have two pretty good CRT bus stories for you:
 
My father drove the CRT bus when he got out of the service.  I was a baby and my parents lived with my maternal
grandparents for a few months before buying a house on Maple Avenue.  Dad said there was a lady who would get
on the bus every Monday morning with a $20 bill and ask for change...he never had $l9.90 worth of change because
it was his first run of the day, so being the big hearted person he was, he let her ride for free.  This went
on for several weeks...Finally, one day Dad went to the bank and got $19.90 in change...and put all those dimes
in a paper sack...when she got on that morning, Dad was ready for her and gave her the change...needless to say,
she did not get on with a $20 dollar bill anymore!
 
He was also driving the bus one day when two ladies got on and began discussing that young whipper snapper who
married Elsie Watkins...probably for her money...(which she did not have, by the way) and nobody knew anything
about him, who ever heard of marrying someone from Texas, etc.  Dad listened for awhile and then stopped the bus,
took off his hat, and walked back to where they were sitting and said "Ladies, I would like to introduce myself. 
You have been talking about me for the last half hour!  My name is George Poole"...Dad said they just about broke
the door down getting off that bus and whenever he would come by on future runs they would step back and wait
for the next bus...He could tell that story so well he had us laughing ourselves to tears...I still chuckle when I think
of him telling that story!

- Jean Poole Burton ('64) of VA - 02/25/05
GIGGLES!  Thanks, Jean!

Mornin' Carol ... here are some goodies for ya!

The pictured bus driver is Clyde Pratt, father of Janice Pratt McGrew (HHS - '67 - of VA). He drove streetcars
and busses for CRT from 1939 until 1956 (when CRT drivers went on strike). This photo is circa 1940s ...
exact year yet to be determined. The close-up shows his hat with the CRT emblem.

The bus pin was worn on his uniform, along with his 4-year safe driving pin.

Enjoy :-).

- Tom Norris (Hampton HS - '73) of VA - 09/23/05

THEN:
Clyde Pratt	Clyde Pratt's CRT Hat	Clyde Pratt's CRT Pins

WOWZERS!!!  Thanks, Tom!

Dear Carol,

I don't know how I missed the CRT link all this time! Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

My dad, Irvin Eanes, Sr., was a driver for CRT from 1948 (the year I was born) until his retirement from Pentran 38 years later. Next Monday, December 11, is the 20th anniversary of his passing, and he has been on my mind more than usual these last few days. Visiting the CRT link has brought back many, many happy memories. Among other routes, Dad drove the afternoon school run to NNHS during the 50's and 60's, delivering many unruly students to the Ivy Farms and Stuart Gardens areas. He always enjoyed these trips, and would come home and regale us with the newest in slang he had learned from "his" kids.

Also, I learned to drive in the Bus Garage parking lot while Mom, my sister, my brother and I were waiting for Dad to get off work. Around and around I'd go until Dad's bus came in, then I'd park and get into the back seat so that he wouldn't notice that Mom had let me practice driving again - especially since I was only 14 and didn't even have a learner's permit!

Thanks again for helping me find the path to walk down memory lane.

Shirley Eanes Matthews ('66) of VA - 12/06/06
COOL!  Thanks, Shirley!

Hi Janice,
 
I was looking at the latest pictures of the old Car Barns (CRT garages). That's what my parents used to refer to them as.
My uncle, Frank Gardner, used to drive one of those big red and white mules and I would go for a ride with him when I was a kid.
I didn't know that your dad, Clyde, drove one. Knew him for many years but never knew that. Thanks for sharing that information.

- F.A. Saunders (HHS - '64) of VA to Janice Pratt McGrew (HHS - '67) of VA - 08/01/07
Thanks, F.A.!

Bus Stop

(as sung by The Hollies)

- G. Gouldman
 

Bus stop, wet day, she's there, I say,
"Please share my umbrella."
Bus stop, bus goes, she stays, love grows
under my umbrella.

All that summer we enjoyed it,
wind and rain and shine.
That umbrella we employed it.
By August, she was mine.

Every morning I would see her waiting at the stop.
Sometimes she'd shop,
and she would show me what she'd bought.
All the people stared as if we were both quite insane.
Someday my name and hers are going to be the same.

That's the way the whole thing started.
Silly, but it's true.
Thinking of a sweet romance
beginning in a queue.

Came the sun the ice was melting,
no more sheltering now.
Nice to think that that umbrella
led me to a vow.

"Bus Stop" midi courtesy of http://www.proweb.co.uk/~rhaywood/sounds/download.html
at the suggestion of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 11/22/03.
Thanks, Dave!

"Bus Stop" lyrics courtesy of http://www.lyricstime.com/lyrics/31809.html - 11/24/03.

Bus clip art courtesy of http://www.havanastreet.com/clipart/transportation/pages/bus_gif.htm - 11/24/03.

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