Category: Our Vehicles

You may not realize that our museum collection of buses is divided into roughly two: those kept warm and dry inside, and those unfortunately stored outdoors. As our collection grows, and our indoor storage shrinks in size due to economic pressures, we have to make a tough choice of what goes where. And although vehicles at our valley satellite storage are outside, we try as best we can to mitigate the effects of being stored there.

Last weekend a small crew visited the site, armed with a new tarpaulin to replace a worn and torn one, and generally inspect our buses.

While the other buses (Flyer 3334, New Flyer 3106 and GM 5509) are in pretty good shape, Brill 3405 hasn’t been so lucky. It was the coach with the torn tarp, and condensation is unfortunately causing a concern. And for the record, Fageol M852, although assigned to the valley site, is actually stored indoors there.

Thanks to Sean,Jason and Milan (who also took these photos) for taking time to visit and report back.

At TMS we have two ongoing projects: our ‘museum bus’ conversion of GM 4107, and ensuring the Hayes Teardrop can be driven safely as we celebrate its 90th anniversary next year!

Lawrence has been inspecting the brakes, wheels and steering. This last week he turned his attention to the ‘pitman’ arm. A Pitman arm connects the steering gearbox with the linkage in older steering systems commonly known as recirculating-ball.

When first inspecting the arm, Lawrence was unsure of the amount of wear that was acceptable. Fabricating a new arm would be expensive, but he decided to stop by Scott Spring Ltd in Surrey to ask for their advice. Soon three friendly mechanics, Mac, Kam & Dave, were eagerly inspecting the relic! The conclusion? Though there was some wear, it was perfectly serviceable! They did comment about a missing leather ‘boot’ which helped keep dirt out. Lawrence quickly made a replacement from scrap leather. Originally held in place by wire, he substititued zap ties – probably Hayes Anderson would have done so too, had they been invented!

To all our members and visitors, we wish you a healthy, happy, peaceful 2026.

(If you are wondering where the posts for 2025 are, these have been archived in our library. As explained on the library website, we have moved them to our Google-hosted pages.)

To begin the new year, here is a little item suggested by my visit to the 33rd Annual Gingerbread Lane at the Hyatt Regency hotel on Burrard St. in Vancouver.

Over 40,000 people visit the display of gingerbread “houses” located in the hotel lobby. They are encouraged to make a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It is a nonprofit organization that grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.

Bakers compete for the “best in show” in three categories: Professional, Amateur, and Secondary School.

And why are we telling you this? Because one entry caught my eye.

Unfotunately the bus, baked by Jacelyn & Derek did not win – though they got my vote! – we don’t know much about them other than they probably live on the #44 bus line. The creation was subtitled “the most festive form of public transport.”