Steam Bus / by Peter Adair and Pat Jackson.
San Francisco (Calif.) : KQED, 1972.
Film explores the history of steam power and looks at the steam engine as a possible alternative to reduce traffic-induced air pollution; in particular, looks at the California State Legislature's federally-funded project, initiated in 1968, to develop a steam bus - a project in which three firms were selected to build three separate buses. Southern California Rapid Transit District and two other district agencies participated in the project.
For more on the project, see California Steam Bus Project, final report of the Project Manager, by Kerry Napuk, available online:
http://libraryarchives.metro.net/DPGTL/scrtd/1973_california_steam_bus_projec...
This is a very cool, mildly psychedelic film (music, low angle shots, dottering seniors). Never heard of this experiment before. Unfortunate that they never explain the technology. How often does the water have to be refilled? How is it heated? And who's the joker that selected the coach numbers?
trainluvr 8 months ago
I remember hearing the Pacific Bus Museum had the SCRTD one in there collection though I have not seen this on there website.
LeylandNational01 9 months ago
@LeylandNational01 If it was still Steam it would of most likey been saved for historic but im guessing not cause every source i checked have pictures of it in service and then it was gone
F7Aengineer 9 months ago
@F7Aengineer I always wondered that myself, It's hard to find that bus on the web based bus rosters, may have been renumbered.
LeylandNational01 9 months ago
whatever happen to 6200 was it converted back or just simply scrapped?
F7Aengineer 9 months ago
I saw part one and was anxiously awaiting this installment - thanks - oh first comment too - and first view - amazing - double whammy - I like your videos. As the first viewer, I can assure you upload speeds are timely as well...
kj762aa 9 months ago