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W Guire (216.82.156.179)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2003 - 5:28 pm: | |
What is an MCI MC-9 "Special"?
I've seen a couple pictures of MC-9 buses that were listed as 1990 "Special" models. The info I've seen says that they only produced the MC-9 up through 1987. Are the specs the same as a regular MC-9? |
Mike Stabler (Docdezl) (64.255.109.214)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2003 - 11:53 am: | |
FWIW may I suggest an excellent book. If you are trying to "catch-up" in the history,trivia &,identification as I am. My computer has the "Modern Intercity Coaches" resting against it.
I am not sure that Larry Plachno's book isn't used to settle "frendly" wagers?
smoke,rattle &,stink...docdezl
p.s. Now if I could get "LUKES" beeper number? |
W Guire (216.82.156.176)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2003 - 12:23 pm: | |
Thanks
I've heard of that book before. I'll have a look.
I found info on another web page that the MC-9 special was produced in 89 and 90 and it had special features included on the interior and was offered at a special price. It didn't say what the special things were in the interior.
Luke?? |
Buswarrior (Buswarrior) (64.229.214.139)
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2003 - 2:16 pm: | |
MC9 "special" more than likely is the bus that Greyhound asked MCI to build for them to match their current fleet for a bargain price. They didn't have the money to start buying and stocking a new coach style.
It is really called an MC12, looks like an MC9, except that the roof cap is more aerodynamically shaped (check where the clearance lights are, a '9 has a vertical section, the '12 starts sloping almost from the windshield) It also legitimately has the newer style square taillights from the factory.(everyone has been retrofitting these on their '9s, so it's not any good as an identifier alone)
The underpinnings are claimed to be 96A3 with MC9 body parts slapped on. DDEC 6V92 and HT740 drivetrain. And the 96A3 mechanicals were just another evolution of the MC7,8,9, so not much different.
The build plate is mounted in the front stepwell at shin height, facing forward, so it is easy to check as you are about to step aboard.
The "special" interior was just the no option plain Greyhound insides.
It has been said that others could buy these no option coaches, but very few, if any did.
I've driven them in the Toronto-Buffalo-New York Greyhound pool service. Drives like a bus.
If it comes from the 'hound, it'll have it's legs run off. Remember that Greyhound has had financial trouble for the entire life of these buses. Absolutely everything will be stretched to the limits and worn out. Even the pins under the accelerator and brake pedals will be half mooned.
happy coaching!
buswarrior |
W Guire (216.82.156.139)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2003 - 3:33 pm: | |
Thanks for the info buswarrior
A couple more questions for you;
When you say Greyhound ran the legs off them, how many miles per year, on average, would they put on them?
Also, I am looking at a 1983 TMC that was used by the California Dept of Corrections. Is that the same as an mc9? I read that they were made in a factory in New Mexico and tagged as TMC but were really MCI. That coach was said by the state to have 658k miles on it. That seems fairly low to me. But I don't really know. Also, I figure the state would have had fairly good maintenance, especially for a bus that carries convicts.
Thanks |
Karl Bojahra (64.141.25.102)
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2003 - 3:41 pm: | |
The MC-9 special & the MC-12 are two entirely different models. The 9S was built in 89/90 at the end of the 9 production run. The MC-12 didn't start production until 1992. The 12 has a different front cap, it has the 96A3 running gear & it has the square taillight & headlights. For further information I suggest you read Modern Intercity coaches. |
Mike Stabler (Docdezl) (64.255.109.214)
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2003 - 9:21 pm: | |
"Running the legs off it" and "financial difficaulties" . This is mechanics speek for Preventive Maintance after it comes in on the "hook". And fix "only" what is needed to get it out of the shop. Half of the yearly budget goes to the towing company. And my favorite "WE" will not be breaking anything until after the first of the year. No more shop towels, you just get them dirty.
Any vehicle that was rolled to the "dead line" after the PARTS dept. was over-budget. Reminds you of a turkey after the holiday.
smoke,rattle&,stink...docdezl |