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Old 11-27-2015, 04:34 PM   #1
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Billings, MT
Posts: 1,269
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: Cat C7
Rated Cap: 84 passenger
das Bus

I took the plunge and purchased an 03 Thomas HDX, simply because rent in this town is obscene!

Brunhilde was previously owned by the South Bend schools and was purchased from Midwest Transit in Kankakee, IL. I was advised that I should get around 5-6 mpg. I averaged 7.5 mpg on the way back to Montana

She's powered by a Cat C7 7.2l and has an Allison pushbutton tranny. All 6 tires are almost new.

I hired two kids to remove the 1400 lbs of seating and have installed carpeting on the front and back 1/3rds and linoleum in the center. A full bed is installed longitudinally in the rear on a custom bed frame with 18" of clearance under the bed.

After last night's single digit temps, a propane heater is DEFINITELY on my shopping list.

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Old 11-27-2015, 04:45 PM   #2
Bus Geek
 
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,829
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Cool, welcome aboard!
Get yourself some extra heat for sure, I'm told its been COLD out your way lately!
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Old 11-27-2015, 05:00 PM   #3
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Billings, MT
Posts: 1,269
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: Cat C7
Rated Cap: 84 passenger
Calling it cold is an understatement of astronomical proportions!
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Old 11-27-2015, 05:10 PM   #4
Bus Geek
 
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,829
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Yeah I just enjoy the tropics.
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Old 11-28-2015, 06:20 PM   #5
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Houston, Tx.
Posts: 403
Year: 1999
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466E
Rated Cap: 84
Welcome to the madness . Are you planning to do a complete makeover on the inside? If so, I look forward to your pics and seeing your progress. I'm taking the plunge myself in another few months. Good luck !!
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Old 11-28-2015, 06:31 PM   #6
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Billings, MT
Posts: 1,269
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: Cat C7
Rated Cap: 84 passenger
Complete makeover is pretty much in the works. Flooring is installed, as is a full-sized bed. Privacy is accomplished through the use of kraft paper and $12 worth of curtain fabric. Heater purchase on Thursday.
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Old 11-29-2015, 10:49 AM   #7
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southeast Kansas
Posts: 16
We don't live in Minnesota anymore for a reason.
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Old 11-29-2015, 04:20 PM   #8
Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 217
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freightliner HDX
Engine: CAT 3126B250
Rated Cap: 84
I left Forsyth about a year ago and picked up a bus from Kankakee as well. In SD right now. Far from doing anything on the interior yet. Welcome aboard!
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My project: The Cruel Bus
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Old 11-29-2015, 04:23 PM   #9
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Billings, MT
Posts: 1,269
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: Cat C7
Rated Cap: 84 passenger
Interior was my first and highest priority after getting Brunhilde back to Billings. Rent in Billings is obscene. Paid $340 for two kids to strip the seating. Flooring was next. Then, the bed.
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