Finding the Right Machine (Combination)

[WiredForStereo]

I'm sure you've heard the story before, I'm looking for a bus. But I'm looking for the right combination and getting a feel for what's available.

There seem to be a lot of Thomas buses available, however, as far as I can tell, virtually all Thomas buses have Cat engines, and it seems there are a number of people who don't like these engines. Or are they workable as long as you check the color of the fuel in the tank regularly?

My optimal configuration would be DT466 (perhaps the big Cummins) with an Allison medium duty (heavy would be awesome, but hard to find) transmission (example: MD3060). Other details are 40 pusher, A/C preferred.

From what I've found that means either an International (Amtran) or a Bluebird.

Those of you who are engine/machine nuts, talk me through this. I grew up in a junk yard, my dad builds hotrods. For me engines are everything and rebuilding a DT466 in-frame is something that seriously speaks to me. I'd like to work through exactly what I'm looking for and how rare it is so I can make the right buy when it comes along.

Educate me! I'm still in the feel-like-an-idiot stage!

Thanks for your help.