December 11, 2013

Photo of the Week - Love That Red Jammer Grill





I’ve been seeing a lot of red in Christmas decorating this year, so I had a hankering for a bright spot of red for this week’s photo. Here is a grill view of the iconic Red Jammer tour buses that traverse Glacier National Park during the summer months. We got to briefly ride in this beauty during our Montana trip in 2012. If Santa ever wanted to upgrade from his trusty reindeer and sleigh, I could very well envision him driving a Red Jammer bus!

The National Park Service contracted with the White Motor Company (Cleveland, Ohio) to build the vehicles in the 1930s. The buses were used at many western National Parks, and Glacier is the only one that has continued the tradition. The Glacier buses were completely refurbished by the Ford Motor Company in 2001, and 33 of them are currently in service. Each red bus can hold 17 passengers and a driver. With a rollback canvas convertible top, all of the bus riders can easily view the park’s magnificent mountain peaks and valleys.

The touring drivers are called “jammers” because of the jamming sound the gears made as they drove the rugged mountain roads through the park. That was back in the day of standard transmissions. 

If you ever go to Glacier National Park, I hope you will look for them or get to ride in one! Here’s an information video, so you can see what the rest of a red jammer looks like.



18 comments:

  1. THAT is so cool! It looks like a model T and a Hummer collided. LOL!

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  2. Love this, Donna!

    Have a blessed day, my friend.
    xoxo

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  3. That is a gorgeous photo, Donna! Thank you for that bright spot in my morning. Love it!

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  4. That video was really interesting. It reminded me of our drive in July on the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler then back down the Fraser River Valley on the return trip. It was so scary! These red buses are amazing and I love the vintage style and the red colour. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Absolutely beautiful. Love the red. Very interesting story too. xoxo

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  6. I remember these before they were refurbished. They did a nice job. So happy they didn't junk them!!!

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  7. That's a pretty cool looking bus. Love the red color :)
    Be well n be happy.

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  8. Donna
    I had to share the video with my husband-he loves old buses and the mountain pass reminds us both of the summit we drive to get to the Yukon. Pretty hairey scarey at times!
    The refurbished bus would be perfect for Santa to drive on Christmas eve.

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  9. What gems those vehicles are! When I get back to the PC, I'll be able to see the video.

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  10. Wow! That sure is a beauty! Love the photo with all it's shiny red and chrome :)

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  11. How neat! I love it....almost wish my car was painted that color! Very vibrant! Hugs!

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  12. My sweet Daddy was a son of a widow at age 8. He was given the chance to work for the Civil Conservation Corp set up by FDR, so he drove those vehicles and worked in southern Utah on Zions National Park, Cedar Breaks and other locations. When ever I hear anything in that era my antenna shoots up. Thanks for the sweet memories. Very cool vehicle!!!

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  13. well that is some ride. Very flashy

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  14. What a beautiful vehicle.
    I thought, when the title of your post popped up in my reader, that you would be talking about a grill house - a restaurant!

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  15. Well that's something I never knew. What a great-looking vehicle. I'd love to ride in one and see those sights, Donna.

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  16. You make me want to go photograph red things! Pretty!

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  17. Wow! I never knew this! LOVE the shot! Beautiful...
    hughugs

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