'WV&M Coach Company # 282'

[Mr. Linsky]

Seen in 1971 in the nation's capital and apparently standing in front of a typical granite clad government building is fleet number 282 - a 1947 White Motor Company Model 798 and one of twenty numbered from 271 to 290 delivered in that year and operating for the Washington, Virginia and Maryland Coach Company (WV&M).

A familiar sight to commuters for nearly a half century in both downtown Washington and the environs of Northern Virginia were the buses WV&M lovingly and more familiarly known as 'The Arnold Lines' for company founder Leon Arnold.

In April of 1964, ownership of WV&M was transferred to D.C. Transit and, while the former maintained its own flag for legal purposes, all of its usable equipment was repainted to the latter's trade mark colors and design scheme.

WV&M will be best remembered for its big 44 passenger White Model 798's which counted at over 100 from the forties and ran for well over two decades with some even being re-engined to Leyland Diesels.

There's some kind of 'magical aura' about White buses but I have yet to figure out what it is!

Photo thanks to Bruce K. of eBay.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, New York