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.