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02intlbluebird
Active Member
47 Posts |
 Posted - 03/18/2011 : 2:17:59 PM
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I am looking for information on a 1999 International Blue Bird 71 passenger T444E engine I believe it was a retired CT Laidlaw bus. The number is 943709, it opperated in Region 6. I am looking for Steve, I know you have/ had one mini sized one 'o these and a full sized one painted grey and black. This bus I believe is sister's with this bus, but has a different engine and it's a year younger:
http://www.schoolbuscentral.com/gallery/updates/jun06/bb/9_00int_ct.htm
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08 Thomas EF
Top Member
533 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2011 : 4:19:06 PM
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http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/2997/2016942680102706206S600x600Q85.jpg
Looking at that photo, I thought that there was a fence in front of the front buses, and I was wondering how the heck they got in there. I didn't notice that the other picture showed a building in the distance, not a fence. 
I don't have anything to say about your question... sorry for going off topic. |
Edited by - 08 Thomas EF on 03/18/2011 4:21:16 PM |
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BBInt.10
Top Member
USA
1042 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2011 : 5:34:50 PM
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That bus was originally a Laidlaw bus, but then in its last years was an All-Star bus. This bus was retrofitted with the reflective "School Bus" signs a couple years ago when this became a CT spec, and I can tell from the type of sign it was retrofitted with that the retrofitting was done by All Star and not First Student, as First Student used a sign with a slightly different font... the letters are a bit more boxy. I would say that the last place this bus was used was probably as a spare bus in the Litchfield, CT terminal. I believe they had a Bird, #29, that they used as a spare up until the end of last school year, when they retired the 4 Morris IC's and used them to replace the spares in the Litchfield/ Region 6 fleet. What other information would you like to know about this bus?
Steve owns a '92 Wayne International painted black. It is a 5 row mini with the 7.3L.
Here is a pic of it before he painted it black:
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If all your problems are behind you... you must be a school bus driver. |
Edited by - BBInt.10 on 03/18/2011 5:56:25 PM |
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02intlbluebird
Active Member
47 Posts |
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RichBusman
Advanced Member
453 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2011 : 09:02:11 AM
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It's only worth 3 grand, barely, on retail. I'm sure the maintenance was decent, since it was Laidlaw and then All Star. All Star seems to do a nice job on their vehicles.
What are you buying the bus for? |
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08 Thomas EF
Top Member
533 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2011 : 10:37:08 AM
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All Star was recognized by the Hartford Courant for having an impressive inspection record -- 2 in 562 inspections lead to the bus being OOS in 2009. So it sounds to me like paying a little extra for one of their buses would be justified, but not three times over. Wow!  |
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BBInt.10
Top Member
USA
1042 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2011 : 4:22:58 PM
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If I were you, I'd make them an offer. If they had it at $3K and nobody wanted it at that price, I don't know what makes them think anyone would want it for $4995. They have likely been hanging onto this bus since last summer, as it was retired in June. They would probably love to get it off their lot at this point. You're not going to go wrong with an ex All-Star bus. This particular bus was one of the better spares in Litchfield. Whenever my terminal had to borrow a bus from them, they would always give us one of their Amtran spares. They would never give up this bus.
All-Star took over a bunch of Laidlaw contracts in Northwest CT in February 2006, so for the last 4 years, this bus has been maintained by All-Star. We ended up with 4 ex Laidlaw buses similar to the bus in your link to School Bus Central. The transmissions were hard shifting on some of them, but All Star did some work to them and got them all shifting great. I doubt if you'd have any problems with the engine or transmission on #29.
I currently have just my full size bus. It's a '93 Bird with the 360. I sold the mid-size Bird about a year ago now, and it got exported to Guatemala. The bus I currently have is ex All-Star, and it has been great. They sell all their buses in safe, road-ready condition. My bus had pretty new tires on it too.
I'd make them an offer. The worst they can say is no. But given that this bus has been hanging around for almost a year now, I bet they'd love to get rid of it.
Where is #29 located now?
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If all your problems are behind you... you must be a school bus driver. |
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02intlbluebird
Active Member
47 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2011 : 5:32:34 PM
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Thanks for the info you guys. Rich, I want to get one for personal use and I know you are going to hate me but, I want to torun it into an RV. Dave, I saw this bus on ebay 2 to 3 weeks ago and the starting bid was 3 grand. I talked to the owner of this facility today and he said it's his favorite and he's selling it for 5 grand. He's really in love with it and wants to make good profit out of it and that's out of my league. I think it's in awesome shape and I would take it if I had the big bucks. He said the buyer for 29 is from a chuch and it would be used for that. It has been sitting there since the fall and we had the hardest time trying to start it and keep it running. The batteries were junk. This lot is in Brentwood, NH. My new interest is a 1999 International Thomas, T444E 71 passenger air brakes, door and seat. This bus came down from Portland, ME and is also on the verge of being sold but the buyers naver showed up. It has low headroom which is a downfall. I will keep you posted, I am going to do a full scope over of these on Wednesday. If you look in this picture, the bus to the left of 29 is the same thing as #29 but came from North Shore Bus Co, INC. in Mass. He made me an offer for 2 on that. I didn't get a look on that bus but the Portland bus is really interesting me.
http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/47599/2540357490102706206S600x600Q85.jpg
Here's so far's progress:
http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/573871895QMuyXq?start=72
http://www.busandchassisllc.com/1999-IH-3800-Blue-Bird-644.asp
http://www.busandchassisllc.com/1999-IH-3800-Thomas-Conventional-642.asp#
http://www.youtube.com/user/02intlbluebird |
http://www.youtube.com/user/02intlbluebird
http://community.webshots.com/user/KylesBuses
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ArI2R6VtTn8idGo2YW8tcGFkVWN6TVJGSG14MzB3Rmc&hl=en#gid=0 |
Edited by - 02intlbluebird on 03/19/2011 5:39:37 PM |
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BBInt.10
Top Member
USA
1042 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2011 : 6:01:59 PM
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| LOL, I don't think Rich will hate you for wanting to turn it into an RV. Rich actually owned a partially converted bus with a stovepipe through the roof for a while. My grey bus currently has all but the first 3 rows of seats removed, although I've done no conversion and don't plan on doing so. If you do end up getting a bus, we should have a bus meet this summer... there's a couple of us down in CT with buses. |
If all your problems are behind you... you must be a school bus driver. |
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02intlbluebird
Active Member
47 Posts |
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BBInt.10
Top Member
USA
1042 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2011 : 2:58:50 PM
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I wouldn't rush into anything. I saw your video of that Thomas and it definitely has some electrical issues. If I were you, I'd look for an older bus with a mechanical engine, as there's less to go wrong with them. I'd look into a 1996 or older DT466 or a DTA360. 422 sales could be a good place to pick up a used bus. They've got an auction coming up in a few weeks actually. Here's a link to the auction list for that auction:
http://www.422sales.com/Pittsburgh/Pittsburgh%20Info/pittsburghlist.htm |
If all your problems are behind you... you must be a school bus driver. |
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08 Thomas EF
Top Member
533 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2011 : 4:30:06 PM
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| Unit # OTR105219 caught my eye. 1992 BB/IHC DT466, 6-speed manual, air brakes, air ride, 71-pass... but only 18,662 miles? Something must have happened.... Gauge cluster replacement? There is apparently one "report" that Carfax has on that VIN, but it might not be anything important. |
Edited by - 08 Thomas EF on 03/20/2011 4:43:45 PM |
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Tatum
Top Member
United States
606 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2011 : 10:03:53 PM
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^Don't expect that bus to sell for a cheap price. 5(or 6) speed/mechanical engine/air break combo for a cheap price at the 422 auction will never, ever, ever, ever sell for low price.. Those buses are the most sought after by exporters and they're willing to pay big money of them.
In fact, I'm willing to bet that'll be one of the buses that brings in the most money at that auction. |
Edited by - Tatum on 03/20/2011 10:25:27 PM |
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bus724
Top Member
USA
1609 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2011 : 02:09:45 AM
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| Don't go rushing into a bus purchase. It sounds like right now you want any bus you can afford and get right away, and I can tell you from experience you'll regret it if you do that. Be patient and keep looking for deals, eventually you'll find a bus you really want for a good price. |
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RichBusman
Advanced Member
453 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2011 : 09:01:42 AM
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Go to an auction, forget the rustbuckets that they are selling from Maine and Massachusetts.
And 5 grand is way too much for that bus, typical salesman BS saying that they "love" the bus. If that bus was at an auction it would go for 3-4k max. |
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02intlbluebird
Active Member
47 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2011 : 12:27:24 PM
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Phil, you are 100% right on that. I could do better it's just I am searching around locally. I saw the three buses he bought at the 422 in Nashua, NH over the summer and the price at the auction was half the price he sold them at his business. The sucky part up here is all the rust and corrosion. Rich, my best bet would be to fly down to PA at their main location and see the buses in that region of the states. It's just I would have to make this be a "trip." I did a little "inspection" on bus 517, the North Shore bus from MA, and it's leaking hydraulic fluid over the drive train and when you apply the brake ABS when shut off, it hisses loud. The FM radio does not work and is missing the antenna. The fuse panel to the right of the shifter is tampered with. The driver's side cat eye mirror bracket is held on by one sturdy screw, the rest ripped off. The tires are balding. The metal aisle trim is rotting and a lot is missing, and the plywood is buckling under the rubber floor... This may sound like a mouthful but it's what I could afford. The problem I have to face at a 422 auction is all the competators wanting to take the bus over the border. When I was at the NH one this past year, I watched a kid in his early twenties with his girlfriend trying to bid on this one bus, but those guys kept outbidding on the bus until he couldn't afford it. I am looking for something nice with no major problems that is 12 windows or more. Needs to be a Blue Bird or a high headroom Thomas, I can't stand them low headrooms!  Not to much to ask, I'll fall into love with anything. |
http://www.youtube.com/user/02intlbluebird
http://community.webshots.com/user/KylesBuses
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ArI2R6VtTn8idGo2YW8tcGFkVWN6TVJGSG14MzB3Rmc&hl=en#gid=0 |
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matts4290
Advanced Member
224 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2011 : 8:43:27 PM
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I agree with Dave. Stick with an older mechanical inline engine. There is a reason why I fell out of love with those T444E's, and its mostly because of all the complicated troubles I read about associated with them in the forum.
I'm not saying I wouldn't buy one, but I'd be happier with a motor with greater power, torque, and longevity. |
We can't all be conventional!
http://www.youtube.com/user/matts4290 |
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Thomas Ford 85-16
Top Member
USA
4177 Posts |
Posted - 03/22/2011 : 2:35:57 PM
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I noticed when you canceled the warning lights on the Thomas you did not flip the door switch back to close. Did you before you left? A lot of those Thomases are wired with the door switch straight to the battery, not through the key, so the battery might still be draining as we speak if that switch was not put back to close.  |
Mike's Bus Yard - http://buses.zwebpages.com - Since 1999
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02intlbluebird
Active Member
47 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2011 : 05:26:40 AM
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| Probably not Mike! My friend was still messing around with that bus after I stopped the video and I bet we didn't even flip the door release switch. Honestly, that's not a big concern for them because every bus I looked at last night was dead. It would help if they started them all up every once in a while to keep the bus from dying. They just ship them in and park them until someone buys them. Bus 517 I have been looking at for a little while is one of the remaining first buses on the roster, the bus is about to run out of fuel, and I am shocked that the batteries weren't dead on that one. Mike, I couldn't find those Thomases there last night. The whole lot had been shuffled around, but they still do have some older sisters of those that have been in the back row for a little while now. They just brought in some later model IC CE 300's and I can only wonder how much they are going to want for it. |
http://www.youtube.com/user/02intlbluebird
http://community.webshots.com/user/KylesBuses
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ArI2R6VtTn8idGo2YW8tcGFkVWN6TVJGSG14MzB3Rmc&hl=en#gid=0 |
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02intlbluebird
Active Member
47 Posts |
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08 Thomas EF
Top Member
533 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2011 : 2:45:34 PM
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| I believe you're thinking of Trumbull? And I've heard that Trumbull specs their buses to the max... not sure if that one came from there. |
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bus724
Top Member
USA
1609 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2011 : 4:26:58 PM
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The Micro-Bird isn't a CT bus, CT requires a flat black hood.
The TC has a similar asset number to a batch of Trumbull, CT buses that were reassigned to Norwich, CT, and all of the lettering suggests it was one of those. |
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02intlbluebird
Active Member
47 Posts |
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08 Thomas EF
Top Member
533 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2011 : 3:41:03 PM
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| Could the MicroBird be MA? As Phil said, CT buses all have black hoods. Not sure if MA requires thme as well. The Microbird also has a single warning light visor for the two lenses on either side; CT buses have individual visors. Somehow IC got around that with the newer buses, though.... |
Edited by - 08 Thomas EF on 08/10/2011 3:41:43 PM |
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bus724
Top Member
USA
1609 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2011 : 5:44:18 PM
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The Micro-Bird is definitely not from CT or MA. CT requires flat black hoods, MA requires either flat black or flat yellow. The hood is glossy yellow.
The warning light visors don't mean anything, those are just 2 different options. I've seen buses with both styles in CT.
There's some type of inspection sticker in the windshield (top center). I don't recognize what state it's from, but it's definitely not CT or MA. I think that sticker's going to be your best clue. |
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02intlbluebird
Active Member
47 Posts |
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bus724
Top Member
USA
1609 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2011 : 2:54:56 PM
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| As I said above, the TC has a similar asset number, and everything in the picture suggests that yes, it was one of those Trumbull buses. Many of them were reassigned to Norwich, CT. |
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Retired CT Laidlaw bus looking for help
