Yellowstone National Park
Old Yellowstone Busses
Starting this summer, visitors to Yellowstone National Park will get a good look at yesteryear as eight White Motor Company model 706 touring vehicles will make their return to the park. Concessioner Xanterra Parks & Resorts will put the "Old Yellow Buses" to use as part of its fleet for sightseeing tours.
The long, low-slung, 13-passenger touring vehicles have been refurbished and brought to today's commercial, safety and emissions standards. Combining assembly-line and manual custom processes, technicians modified the Ford E-450 chassis with frame rails to allow the bus bodies to match up with the chassis. The new chassis are equipped with automatic transmissions, 5.4 liter gasoline engines and anti-lock braking systems. The team also rebuilt doors, rear luggage compartments and other components as necessary for each individual vehicle.
All of the vehicles feature:
• 191/2-inch wheels, close to the original 20-inch versions
• Retro-style instrument panels
• Decals to imitate the originals
• Yellow and black enamel paint matching the original
• Reupholstered seats
• New convertible tops
• Bucket seats in the front to accom- modate shoulder belts
The original touring vehicles transported visitors in the park for more than 20 years starting in 1936 when the Yellowstone Park Transportation Company purchased 27 of the Model 706's for the season. By 1940, 98 of the vehicles were being used throughout the park. In the 1950s, however, private vehicle usage increased tremendously and the vehicles were sold and disbursed across the country.
The Skagway (Alaska) Streetcar Company purchased eight of the vehicles for its fleet. The owner of the Skagway Streetcar Company felt the vehicles belonged back in Yellowstone, and the vehicles returned to the park in 2001.
Beginning in June, the vehicles will be used for a variety of daily tours throughout the park. With names like "Across the River Styx," "Picture Perfect Photo Safari," "Past Times and Pastimes," "Into The Dragon's Mouth" and more, the tours cover a wide range of topics such as park history, wildlife and geology.
To learn more about the tours Xanterra offers, call (307) 344-7311 or (866) GEYSERLAND (866) 439-7375 or visit online at www.TravelYellowstone.com. More information is also available in the "Experience Planner" brochure or at the front desk inside park hotels and lodges.
Yellowstone In Depth
News from the Parks
Ken Burns on Vacation/Location at Glacier National Park
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
Town Government Rejected by Tusayan
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
Tauck Hosts its 10,000th Guest-Volunteer in Yellowstone National Park
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
Dupuyer Elementary School Offering Students Unique Learning Experiences
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
Boston Trustees Discuss Township Issues
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
