| Author | Message | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1675 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.69.141.163  Rating: N/A |
Hello worthy busnut scholars. There was the third axle option for the GM 4905 coaches, tucked into the back of the last baggage bay. My questions: Which jurisdictions were the "inspiration" for this option being made available, and which fleets felt compelled to order it? Does anyone know how many might have left the factory in this configuration? And, any other interesting bits of related trivia would all be good for this research mission. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 353 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 173.77.228.208  Rating: N/A |
The 4903 and 4905 had the options and i am guessing toll roads in the NE were the reason. With the loss of baggage space the bogie took up i am sure most operators dident want it. I dont know if i have ever seen more than 1 or 2 ever. Try the bus museum in Hershey. I love the history stuff. Good question | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1595 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 67.182.53.218  Rating: N/A |
BW, mon ami - The third axle option on the 4905 allowed the coach to operate in predominately those New England states who still had an 18,000 lb load limit on the rear axle. Somewhere around the time of the FMVSS going into effect (1975), a provision in a transportation bill by Congress made 20K the legal limit for drive axles, thus rendering the bogie axle option to the annuals of history. Unless one wanted to scour thru the microfiche FVRs in the Ohio Museum of Transportation's archives for an accurate count, a guesstimate could be deducted from New England operator purchases as listed on delivery rosters. The bogie, btw, was designed from the get-go to be removable, a smart move on GM's part. There are even part numbers in the book for replacement flooring panels. If you have it, I think there's more info in Larry Plachno's book, but my copy's packed in a box at the moment. FWIW & HTH. . .  | ||
| J.L.Vickers (Roadrunnertex)
Registered Member Username: Roadrunnertex Post Number: 57 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 67.77.76.19 Rating: N/A |
I happen to know where there is a complete tag axle assembly for sale very cheap from a PD4905 that was hardly ever used. Oklahoma Transportation Company Oklahoma City,OK and MK&O Lines in Tulsa,OK had some of their Buffalo,s equipped with the tag axle's. Due to weight restrictions in Missouri. jlv | ||
| john daniels (Big_john)
Registered Member Username: Big_john Post Number: 20 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 75.109.200.149 Rating: N/A |
My pd 4903 still has retractable bogie in rear bays. I plan to remove and use space for generator. big John | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 901 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 70.212.227.235 Rating: N/A |
Good grief...what absolute superb knowledge on this board~~~. Great Question, BW...GREAT answer, RJ. OVER whelming! RCB Thanx, Ian!!! |