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03VisionRider
Active Member

USA
17 Posts

Posted - 09/29/2005 :  2:25:32 PM  Show Profile  Visit 03VisionRider's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Whats ur favorite bus that u ever rode?
MIne's 375, the 03 vision.

IC-RE
Top Member

USA
4117 Posts

Posted - 09/29/2005 :  2:27:16 PM  Show Profile  Visit IC-RE's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Our 2006 IC RE 200's, but next year my favorite will probably be our 2007 IC RE 300's!!!!!!
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Drew19
Top Member

USA
651 Posts

Posted - 09/29/2005 :  2:47:36 PM  Show Profile  Send Drew19 a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
An Activity HDX. I have a couple of others. Also a Amtran but it has a weird dash layout, it was an bus not asigned.
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03VisionRider
Active Member

USA
17 Posts

Posted - 09/29/2005 :  2:49:17 PM  Show Profile  Visit 03VisionRider's Homepage  Reply with Quote
My morning bus is an 01 Hdx. It's some crap! Noisy engine, wobbly suspension, and is in 4th gear by 15 mph!

Bus 375 : 2003 Blue Bird Vision
R.I.P 263, 198? Thomas ER
Currently riding 329 and 375
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Drew19
Top Member

USA
651 Posts

Posted - 09/29/2005 :  3:00:11 PM  Show Profile  Send Drew19 a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
om in 01 it was an Er or hd. Also specs. a bus or car what ever if you don't have a good engine, transmission what do you expect?
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Jake
Top Member

USA
3527 Posts

Posted - 09/29/2005 :  3:01:44 PM  Show Profile  Visit Jake's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Ahh... I have several Favorite buses.
1991 Ward Senator FE's LOL. Everyone I ever talked to said they were loud, noisy, boring, ect., but I find them quite great. Like I'll say, RIP: 9265, 9275 (Pictured on my website). Hope they are living great South Carolina Lives! BTW: If anyone ever visits the place we sold our senators to in S.C., Please get me some pics of them! LOL.

My 2nd fav. is our 1990 IHC Waynes, and our 1988 Ford Waynes. This is my opinion, but I believe Waynes were built with lots of quality and care. I've hardly ever seen one in that bad of a condition. (But I am sure they are out there.)

Well, anyway, Ward Senators and Waynes ALL THE WAY LOL.

~Jake~

Yellow & Black
A new forum community dedicated to school bus driving, operations, maintenance and enthusiasts!
Come join the discussion!

Edited by - Jake on 09/29/2005 3:03:33 PM
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Drew19
Top Member

USA
651 Posts

Posted - 09/29/2005 :  3:03:50 PM  Show Profile  Send Drew19 a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
How does the Ward senator perform? They look interesting.

quote:
Originally posted by 92WardSenatorFE

Ahh... I have several Favorite buses.
1991 Ward Senator FE's LOL. Everyone I ever talked to said they were loud, noisy, boring, ect., but I find them quite great. Like I'll say, RIP: 9265, 9275 (Pictured on my website). Hope they are living great South Carolina Lives! BTW: If anyone ever visits the place we sold our senators to in S.C., Please get me some pics of them! LOL.


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Jake
Top Member

USA
3527 Posts

Posted - 09/29/2005 :  3:29:15 PM  Show Profile  Visit Jake's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I can't really speak for all of them, but anywho..
Bus 9265, was a strong bus. It survived a wreck, and still preformed the same. They ran pretty smooth, well ours did.
The electric or air doors (Chris, can you help me here - I haven't been on one for almost half a year - so I am a bit rusty)
opened pretty smoothly. A little noise from the engine, little to no smoke, heaters warmed up the bus in less than 15 min (from starting 32 F from sitting all winter). I have been overall impressed with our senator's performance. I wish we never got rid of them, but I am sure S.C. really likes them. (We are currently acting like we're retiring our 1993 IHC Amtran and Wards)
Yet, I still miss them anyway. Waking up to my favorite bus (Since before I ever got interested in buses - From my first sight of an Ward Senator (Probably in 2nd-3rd grade) - I was amazed). I loved the older style windows, and all that good stuff . I just wish I was smart enough to actually go into the compound and get photos of all 73 of them (orig. 75 - one in bad arson incident, one in crash that totalled it.)

Well, thats me tribute to them.
Senator Crazy - Jake

Yellow & Black
A new forum community dedicated to school bus driving, operations, maintenance and enthusiasts!
Come join the discussion!
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BlueBirdBoi3037
Senior Member

USA
55 Posts

Posted - 09/29/2005 :  3:33:58 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
My favorite bus is a 2005 Blue Bird AA RE it's set up better and it's a lot faster the HDX rides the bus a lot better though.

"I drive a 2005 Thomas C2!"
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bluebirdfan
Advanced Member

USA
277 Posts

Posted - 09/29/2005 :  3:39:44 PM  Show Profile  Visit bluebirdfan's Homepage  Send bluebirdfan an AOL message  Send bluebirdfan a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
Old bus 73 a 1986 Blue Bird All American FE and I also like bus 04-111 a 2004 All American FE (73 was replaced with a 2004 All American FE last year)
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thomas86_a
Top Member

USA
4413 Posts

Posted - 09/29/2005 :  3:42:53 PM  Show Profile  Visit thomas86_a's Homepage  Send thomas86_a an AOL message  Reply with Quote
1982 Wayne/International. 65 passenger, 345 gasoline engine/5 speed manual transmission. I had this bus for 9 school years, 1982 to 1991. It was the longest amount of time I spent in any single bus. The new ones would come in and I'd pass on them, finally in 91 they said I had to give it up and put it on a route with a few more miles. I fought them for about 4 days, finally I was told to quite being insubordinate so I agreed to take the bus that my user name stems from, an 86 Thomas/IHC, my second favorite bus, (favorite Thomas Built Bus).

Those were the good old buses!

If you have an International, you NEED customer service.
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Buskid
Top Member

USA
3368 Posts

Posted - 09/29/2005 :  3:50:13 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Saddleback Valley Unified School District # 32

1988 Crown Supercoach - 2A-38-426, 270-horsepower Turbo'd 671 Detroit Diesel Engine, Fuller Roadranger RT/RTX 10-speed Manual Transmission
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B. Busguy33
Top Member

USA
3444 Posts

Posted - 09/29/2005 :  5:20:00 PM  Show Profile  Visit B. Busguy33's Homepage  Send B. Busguy33 an AOL message  Send B. Busguy33 a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
Favorite bus I have ridden:

1994 Blue Bird TC/2000 FE (Clark County School District, Las Vegas, Nevada)


Favorite bus I have driven:

2004 IC CE-300
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Thomasfan89
Top Member

USA
1155 Posts

Posted - 09/29/2005 :  5:38:23 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Ahhh my favorite bus. It would have to be #25, a 1989 Carpenter Ford. 5.9L or 6.6L engine. Allison auto, air brakes, air horn, PA/AM/FM. Nicely specd for an 89! Then they're one of the buses I got to take around the parking lot. Had to be the 2002 Thomas International.
Greg
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CrownBus1
Top Member

USA
633 Posts

Posted - 09/29/2005 :  7:16:12 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
My favorite buses are a 1987 Blue Bird FE I rode in 5th grade and the bus I am currently riding, Bus # 1- a 1985 Crown Supercoach (you have to love 10-speed manual transmission buses!)

Bus 1
1985 Crown
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ICfan
Top Member

USA
1251 Posts

Posted - 09/30/2005 :  08:30:03 AM  Show Profile  Visit ICfan's Homepage  Reply with Quote
My favorite Bus is the new 2005 & 2006 International CE. I also like the Blue Bird AA, they look so cool.

Tyler Roys Weatherman and International Fan,

http://www.freewebs.com/thectschoolbusyard
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BBAllAmericanRE
Advanced Member

USA
357 Posts

Posted - 09/30/2005 :  09:07:43 AM  Show Profile  Visit BBAllAmericanRE's Homepage  Send BBAllAmericanRE an AOL message  Click to see BBAllAmericanRE's MSN Messenger address  Send BBAllAmericanRE a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
My favorite bus would be Portage Public Schools #28 - 2003 Blue Bird All American Rear Engine.

-Ty-
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92FrdCarp#11
Top Member

USA
1455 Posts

Posted - 09/30/2005 :  10:30:50 AM  Show Profile  Visit 92FrdCarp#11's Homepage  Send 92FrdCarp#11 an AOL message  Click to see 92FrdCarp#11's MSN Messenger address  Send 92FrdCarp#11 a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
Favorite buses to ride on:
Bus 11, '92 Carpenter Ford that I used to ride on.
One of the '05 IC FEs that I rode on the 1st day my county got them.

Favorite buses to drive:
Bus 2, '93 AmTran Genesis
Bus 31, '98 AmTran Genesis

Johnny

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BlueBird44
Top Member

USA
1639 Posts

Posted - 09/30/2005 :  2:01:53 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
My favorite bus to drive is my new 2006 IC-CE

My favorite bus to ride was 1988 TC2000 FE


IC-The Golden Shield of School Transportation
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Bus Boy 39
Top Member

USA
1315 Posts

Posted - 10/03/2005 :  06:22:54 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
favorite bus I rode:

Bus 39, 1997 GMC Blue Bird.

favorite bus I drove:

Bus 1357, 2005 Blue Bird Vision

I'll show you my air brakes if you show me yours.
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Girardin_71
Top Member

Canada
626 Posts

Posted - 10/03/2005 :  06:58:46 AM  Show Profile  Send Girardin_71 a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
a 1980s Wayne Chevy with a 366 engine, 5spd manual, am/fm stereo, tinited windows.

Girardin/Blue-Bird are my favorite school buses

http://www.g71bdpt.net
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Jared
Top Member

USA
1865 Posts

Posted - 10/03/2005 :  07:34:18 AM  Show Profile  Visit Jared's Homepage  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Girardin_71

a 1980s Wayne Chevy with a 366 engine, 5spd manual, am/fm stereo, tinited windows.



me too. my favorite is a 1984-1991 Wayne GMC with a 366, however I prefer the allision At545.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaredg21/sets/
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03VisionRider
Active Member

USA
17 Posts

Posted - 10/03/2005 :  2:39:53 PM  Show Profile  Visit 03VisionRider's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I really miss 263 an 198? Thomas ER. We still have a few left. Sad story is I was riding the bus one day, it was stalling, and the next day I asked the driver, Where's 263? He said then It was dead. Then I was in 1st grade, but the bus didn't matter to me then. Now 4-5 years later, in 5th grade, and my love of school buses, it's really sad. That driver is now the town council and he still drives. Funny thing was I saw him at his bus just 2 weeks ago. I asked, Are you Mr. *******? He said yeah and remembered me. Good times, good times. He now drives 369, an FS65, w/cat3126e. Allison auto. So he's still town council and driving now. :P

Bus 375 : 2003 Blue Bird Vision
R.I.P 263, 198? Thomas ER
Currently riding 329 and 375

Edited by - 03VisionRider on 10/03/2005 2:42:33 PM
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Rich
Top Member

United States
5768 Posts

Posted - 10/03/2005 :  3:17:10 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Favorite route bus that I ever rode would have to be a 2000 Thomas International, DT466E, AT545, high headroom, tinted windows, black frames, black hood, etc.

Favorite bus to drive is the Thomas C2... drives great!



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B. Busguy33
Top Member

USA
3444 Posts

Posted - 10/03/2005 :  4:03:07 PM  Show Profile  Visit B. Busguy33's Homepage  Send B. Busguy33 an AOL message  Send B. Busguy33 a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Favorite route bus that I ever rode would have to be a 2000 Thomas International, DT466E, AT545, high headroom, tinted windows, black frames, black hood, etc.



Air or hydraulic brakes?
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Rich
Top Member

United States
5768 Posts

Posted - 10/03/2005 :  4:07:13 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by B. Busguy33

quote:
Favorite route bus that I ever rode would have to be a 2000 Thomas International, DT466E, AT545, high headroom, tinted windows, black frames, black hood, etc.



Air or hydraulic brakes?



Vacuum brakes.

Just kidding, the brakes that hiss!



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ic-corp95
Senior Member

USA
156 Posts

Posted - 10/03/2005 :  4:14:24 PM  Show Profile  Visit ic-corp95's Homepage  Reply with Quote
our school district just bought 2005 ic ce's, and i only rode it once because of a cross country meet, but i still like it, quiet, comfortable, huge, and a smooth ride. i have always like ward, amtran, and ic's because the first bus that i rode was a 1989 ward patriot. but any ways i give my props to the '05 ce

its coming....the 2013 LC CE!
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B. Busguy33
Top Member

USA
3444 Posts

Posted - 10/03/2005 :  5:33:30 PM  Show Profile  Visit B. Busguy33's Homepage  Send B. Busguy33 an AOL message  Send B. Busguy33 a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Vacuum brakes.



No comment!
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Bus9709
Top Member

USA
751 Posts

Posted - 10/03/2005 :  8:09:13 PM  Show Profile  Visit Bus9709's Homepage  Click to see Bus9709's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
I don't have a favorite. I love all the buses that I've rode!
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IC RE 1629
Top Member

United States
5097 Posts

Posted - 10/04/2005 :  02:31:17 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Bus 1629-2004 IC RE 200

Least favorite: Bus 55 - 1989 Wayne Lifeguard Ford. That thing is a piece of JUNK!
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GMCBlueBird83
Top Member

USA
1478 Posts

Posted - 10/06/2005 :  7:46:02 PM  Show Profile  Visit GMCBlueBird83's Homepage  Send GMCBlueBird83 an AOL message  Send GMCBlueBird83 a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by 03VisionRider

Whats ur favorite bus that u ever rode?
MIne's 375, the 03 vision.



Bus #66, 1979 Thomas International from Clarkstown Centeral School District in NY. 345 gas engine, automatic, high headroom, air brakes.
Sorry about this going off topic, but I see you're from Tonawanda, NY. I used to live up in Buffalo duing my college years. Does Kenmore still have their Carpenters?

Edited by - GMCBlueBird83 on 10/06/2005 7:50:17 PM
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03VisionRider
Active Member

USA
17 Posts

Posted - 10/07/2005 :  1:32:25 PM  Show Profile  Visit 03VisionRider's Homepage  Reply with Quote
We have a few. A 1990 something FE carpenter.

Bus 375 : 2003 Blue Bird Vision
R.I.P 263, 198? Thomas ER
Currently riding 329 and 375
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kyle99
New Member

USA
2 Posts

Posted - 10/07/2005 :  5:32:02 PM  Show Profile  Visit kyle99's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Hello..new member, I am not a bus driver, but grew up in the 1970's into the early 1980's with a fondness for the 1970's style GMC 6000 series that ran with the GMC 351 V-6 and 5 speed manuals or 4 spped automatics...I especially liked the earlier Waynes prior to 1973 with the smaller side window design combined with the GMC chassis described above. Clarkstown CSD in NY had this specific style numbered between 40 and 48...they received several more Waynes in 1973 with the larger Lifeguard window design, numbered between 49 and 54. All with the 351 V6 and 5 speed manuals on 49-52 and Allison Automatics on 53 and 54. I believe that I have ridden on every single one between 40-54 at one time or another while in my school years.I also liked Clarkstown's fleet of GMC Thomas' from those years, numbered from 1 through 12. All with the 351's and 5 speeds...In Summer camp, I rode on an old Rockland Bus Lines busses that the Camp chartered for transportation to the local pool and on long field trips...most of these busses were early 1970's GMC's with the V6 and Alison Auto, and had the design I preferred..with the drivers window smaller than the passenger windows...I also rode on a Rockland Charter Line that the Summer camp used from time to time called 'Varied Transit' which used early 1970's GMC 6000'S with the V6 and 5 Speeds....those motors weren't rockets, as far as acceleration, but they were basically bullet proof. The 1960's GMC's used a slightly smaller motor..a 305 V6 which had a very good reputaion too....
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SchoolBusFan
Top Member

USA
1769 Posts

Posted - 10/08/2005 :  01:44:24 AM  Show Profile  Visit SchoolBusFan's Homepage  Send SchoolBusFan an AOL message  Reply with Quote
New HDX's with the black around the windows (frames and posts). Basically, CCSD specs.
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GMCBlueBird83
Top Member

USA
1478 Posts

Posted - 10/08/2005 :  11:45:50 AM  Show Profile  Visit GMCBlueBird83's Homepage  Send GMCBlueBird83 an AOL message  Send GMCBlueBird83 a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by kyle99

Hello..new member, I am not a bus driver, but grew up in the 1970's into the early 1980's with a fondness for the 1970's style GMC 6000 series that ran with the GMC 351 V-6 and 5 speed manuals or 4 spped automatics...I especially liked the earlier Waynes prior to 1973 with the smaller side window design combined with the GMC chassis described above. Clarkstown CSD in NY had this specific style numbered between 40 and 48...they received several more Waynes in 1973 with the larger Lifeguard window design, numbered between 49 and 54. All with the 351 V6 and 5 speed manuals on 49-52 and Allison Automatics on 53 and 54. I believe that I have ridden on every single one between 40-54 at one time or another while in my school years.I also liked Clarkstown's fleet of GMC Thomas' from those years, numbered from 1 through 12. All with the 351's and 5 speeds...In Summer camp, I rode on an old Rockland Bus Lines busses that the Camp chartered for transportation to the local pool and on long field trips...most of these busses were early 1970's GMC's with the V6 and Alison Auto, and had the design I preferred..with the drivers window smaller than the passenger windows...I also rode on a Rockland Charter Line that the Summer camp used from time to time called 'Varied Transit' which used early 1970's GMC 6000'S with the V6 and 5 Speeds....those motors weren't rockets, as far as acceleration, but they were basically bullet proof. The 1960's GMC's used a slightly smaller motor..a 305 V6 which had a very good reputaion too....



Welcome to SBF Kyle! I too am a former student of Clarkstown CSD, South H.S. class of '93. I don't remember any buses before bus #58 which was the lone Thomas Loadstar we had but I have heard of the buses you mention through a friend who is probably about your age. Look forward to talking with you sometime, my AIM name is bluebirdgmc83 Yes that is named after the Clarkstown bus, 1983 Blue Bird GMC #83, LOL

Edited by - GMCBlueBird83 on 10/08/2005 11:49:43 AM
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kyle99
New Member

USA
2 Posts

Posted - 10/09/2005 :  6:26:28 PM  Show Profile  Visit kyle99's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Re: Reply on Clarkstown..Thanks for the Welcome Blue Bird...I graduated in 1983 and remember those GMC Bluebirds..they numbered from 81 to 92 if I remember correctly...and ran with diesels and used the older style GMC front end dating back to the 1970's...I remember 66, it was from a group numbering from 60-66. I rode on 60 for a couple of years, it was the only one of that group with the lower baggage compartmnets, used for after school soccer..etc. I also rod on 62 in my senior year....60-66 were all Thomas bodied IHC;s with the 345 and Allison Auto. 67 and 68 were IHC Ward, 69-74 were IHC Carpernter, 75-78 were IHC Bluebird, 79 was another IHC Ward, and 80 was a IHC Ward or Bluebird shorter wheelbase Handicapped access version. 81 is when Clarkstown first went to diesel. My schoolbus driver for a couple of years was Jerry Franks who was also a car salesman. One morning, when it was rainy and damp, the ignition systems on alot of the busses got wet, and the busses were hard to start, thus making everyone late. Jerry commented on that run that morning that he, and some of the other drivers were trying to convince the District to switch over to diesel to avoid such problems...this was back in 1981 or so...apparently it worked, as their next purchase (of the GMC's from 81-92 were diesel, and as far as I know, its been diesel ever since.Re: 58...I remember 58 also..It was a 1978 International, one of the last of the Loadstar series...with the squared up front clip, Thomas body andit had a 345 and an Allison Auto. 55-57 may have already been retired by the time you started riding...those were the first of the 'S' series with the front clip that looked like numbers 60-66 and had the Thomas bodies 55-57 had either 345 or 392 V-8's with 5 speed manuals. 59 was an IHC with the same drivetrain, but with a Wayne body...Gee, I graduated over 20 years ago, and I still can rememeber all those details about the Clarkstown Fleet.
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