Auto Stages in Yellowstone
Yellow Busses
White Motor Company Models & Specs.
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Copyright 2020 by Robert V. Goss. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or utilized in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by an information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the author.
TEB - 11 Passenger 1917-23
3/4T, 140” wheelbase truck with 45hp GEC engines, 4-spd transmissions, and open-side bodies. Front tires were 34” x 5” pneumatic with 36” x 6” on the rear. There were four pairs of doors opening onto seats for three passengers, allowing for 11 passengers and the driver. Although in practice, only one passenger sat in front with the driver. The left-hand doors were sealed to prevent opening onto traffic. The transition between the hood and dash was squared off, while the windshield was a solid 2-piece unit (upper & lower). Kerosene running lights were located below the windshield and under the frame supporting the rear boot. They were powered by acetylene bottles on the driver’s side running boards. A canvas boot covered the rear wooden platform that was supported by a steel frame. A canvas top was supported by detachable bows at each bench and celluloid side curtains could be put up in inclement weather.
Plate numbers 1-135.
108 vehicles purchased from 1917-1923. (Image YNP Archives #115013)
15/45 - 11 Passenger 1920-25
Similar body to the TEBS, except the transition between the hood and windshield was rounded and the windshield was split into four pieces - upper/lower and left/right. The wheelbase was slightly longer (143-1/2”) with an updated chassis and improved 4-cylinder GN motors. The later 1923 models had 50hp GR motors, as did later deliveries. Front tires were 34” x 5” and rear 36” x 6”. Other amenities were mostly identical to the TEBs. The 1922 models had Scott bodies, while the 1923 and later models had Bender bodies, without LH doors. The rear contained an enclosed trunk instead of a boot. Four oval-shaped windows graced the tonneau cover on the sides at the rear. A canvas top was supported by detachable bows at each bench. Celluloid side curtains could be put up in inclement weather. Acetylene bottles were carried on the driver’s side running boards to power the headlights.
Plate numbers 137-349.
214 vehicles purchased from 1920-1925.
Model 50 - 25 Passenger 1923
There were six side doors opening onto seven wide benches to seat 25 passengers plus the driver. The Bender body had a 198” wheelbase with a 4-cylinder GN motor. The roof was solid and luggage could be stored on the roof rack, accessed by a folding ladder from the rear of the bus. Side window curtains could be rolled down in inclement weather. It was the first model to feature electric lights. They had Budd steel disc wheels and electric lights. It utilized 36” x 6” tires all around, with duals on the rear. As the heavy buses were slow at climbing hills, they were mostly used on the West Yellowstone to Old Faithful run.
Plate numbers 930-931. (Originally numbered in the 330s)
2 vehicles were purchased in 1923. [Photo: YNP Archives]
Model 614 - 14 Passenger 1931
There were four doors to seat 14 passengers. The roof was open with a roll-back canvas, with roll-up glass door windows. The luggage area was enclosed in the rear with two side-opening doors. There was a single, slanted windshield. It was powered by 75hp overhead valve 6-cylinder White 3A engines, with four-wheel Lockheed hydraulic brakes, 4-speed manual transmission and glassed-in Bender bodies. The bus was wider and more comfortable than the other buses used and were primarily run on the longer Cody to Lake Hotel route. The ccanvas top could be rolled back in nice weather to allow passengers to stand up for better view or photographs.
Plate numbers 351-358.
8 vehicles delivered in May 1931. [Photo: YNP 114504]
Model 706 - 14 Passenger 1936
There were 27 of these 14-passenger buses introduced in 1936. They had two squared-glass windshields, roll-down glass windows and lantern-style rear running lights. The bodies were produced by Bender bodies with an open roof and roll-back canvas tops that tied down along the edges. Each seat had grab handles for passengers to hold on to while standing to view the park through the open roof. The 1937-38 models had improved 16Ah motors. They sat on a 190” wheelbase chassis and were powered by a White 318 cu.in. six-cylinder 16A engine. Renowned industrial designer, Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky was responsible for the radiator cowling and grill design.
Plate numbers 361-460.
98 vehicles purchased from 1936-1939.
7-Passenger Touring Cars
These cars had a 137-1/2” wheelbase with 37” x 5” tires all around. They had a model GM 4-cylinder, 16- valve motor. They featured four doors, front bucket seats, a rear bench seat, and two rear jump seats, as well as a canvas convertible top and a storage compartment under the rear seat for side curtains. VIPs as well as more affluent visitors to Yellowstone toured the park in vehicles of this type, which were later supplemented by Lincoln touring cars.
[NOTE: Information & details on these vehicles is inconsistent & incomplete]
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Plate numbers 700-717; 720-767.
65 ?? vehicles purchased from 1917-1925.
[Photo Yellowstone NPS Collection]
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8-Passenger Touring Cars No Photo
Plate numbers 718-719
2 vehicles purchased in 1920.
Touring Cars in Yellowstone 1917-1939
Lincoln - Ford - Buick
Lincoln Touring Cars - 29 Known Vehicles
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1925-1927 - Lincoln 7-Passenger Sport Touring
[23] Nos. 801-822; 824
33” x 5” Tires; 136” W.B.; Style 124 body w/rear luggage carrier
1926 - Lincoln Sport Phaeton
[1] No. 822
33” x 5” Tires; 8-cyl Motor; 136” W.B.; Style 123B body w/ rear luggage carrier
1926 - Lincoln 7-Passenger Berline
[2] Nos. 825-826
33” x 6.75” Tires; 8-cyl Motor; 136” W.B.; Style 147B body w/ rear luggage carrier
1928 - Lincoln 7-Passenger Sport Touring Car
[1] No. 828
33” x 5” Tires; 8-cyl Motor; 136” W.B.; Style 124 body w/ rear luggage carrier; 4-wheel brakes.
1922 - Lincoln 7-Pasenger Sport Touring Car
[1] No. 827
33” x 5” Tires; 8-cyl Motor; 136” W.B.; Leland Body
1931 - Lincoln Limousine
[1] No.829
Ford Touring Cars - 17 Known Vehicles
1925 - Ford Model ‘T’ Touring Car
[3] Nos. F50 - F52
30” x 3.5” Tires, Electric starter; Electric lighting
1925-1927 - Ford Model ‘T’ Slip-On Roadster
[8] Nos. F1 - F8
30” x 3.5” Tires, 100” W.B.; Electric starter; Electric lighting
1927 - Ford Model ‘T’ Roadster
[2] Nos. F9 - F10
30” x 3.5” Tires, 100” W.B.; Electric starter; Electric lighting
1928-1929 - Ford Model ‘A’ Roadster
[3] Nos. F12 - F14
30” x 4.5” Tires, 103.5” W.B.; Electric starter; Electric lighting
1931 Ford 14-Passenger Car
[1] No. 359
Buick Touring Cars - 7 Known
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1935-1938 - Buick 7-Passenger Touring Cars
[7] Nos. 831-835; B1, B3
Left: Lincoln Touring Car, probably used by Wm. "Billy" Nichols. [YNP #185328-94]
Right: Western States Buick Distributors at Yellowstone, showing off their various models, 1922. [YNP #19388]
For additional information, visit the
Buses of Yellowstone Preservation Trust
Above Right: A Yellowstone Park Transportation Co. Lincoln Passenger Touring Car, faithfully restored by the Buses of Yellowstone Preservation Trust.