Quote:
Originally Posted by bearhawk
ScooterNJ says the IC/Amtran has plenty of room to work on it. BB RE seem to have plenty of room to work on the engine but then again I've not been in one. How much room is in a Thomas RE engine compartment to get in there to work on stuff?
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Today I went to a bus dealer that had about 120 used buses for sale with about 50 of them being RE. I had the place almost to myself other than a few other folks looking at buses and no salesmen were there.
What did I learn about RE buses? I believe ScooterNJ is very correct. The IC/Amtran buses I looked into through the back side doors showed they had the most room to get in to access most everything on the engine. It's also nice that the radiator fan is direct drive off the back (normally front) of the engine on a viscous clutch with the radiator at the very back just like the photos show from ScooterNJ. Both Amtran buses I looked at had the DT466 in them.
Next the BB.AA was OK for engine access and the Thomas Saf-T-Liner non MVP was the worst but I have to say I love the cockpit of the STL and those dog ear mirrors! I'm sure you can work on the STL but it would be a little more difficult. I was thinking I'd get a BB.AA but I really liked those STLs. The IC/Amtrans weren't much on my radar until today. I like each of those 3 models and they each have their own positives and negatives. All that to say the decision isn't much easier but I do know which one is easier to work on.
Thanks ScooterNJ. I didn't believe you until I saw it with my own two eyes.