BCM Community

Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: peter newgard on October 24, 2006, 02:47:44 PM

Title: GM PDA-3703 Weight
Post by: peter newgard on October 24, 2006, 02:47:44 PM
I'm a new member, retired transit employee, bus model maker and collector, bus fan.

I'm trying to help a friend prepare a decal for an HO model of the Missouri Pacific GM PDA-3703 (1947). The Gross Wt was displayed on the buses. We have a photo but can't read the weight (inferior resolution).

Does anybody have the Allowable Gross Wt and/or the Curb Wt for the 3703? Or does anybody have a weight for a converted 3703?

I make the 3703 kits.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Peter in Ottawa
Title: Re: GM PDA-3703 Weight
Post by: RJ on October 24, 2006, 06:06:44 PM
Peter -

Not sure if this will help, but the most commonly used figures for gross vehicle weight are the Fed's Bridge Formulas, which say

Front Axle = 12,000
Rear Axle = 20,000

Total GVW = 32,000

Anywhere close to what the pic shows?

HTH. . .

;)
Title: Re: GM PDA-3703 Weight
Post by: DMoedave on October 24, 2006, 07:53:41 PM
I have a 3703, it is lightly converted (no gen set) it weighed in @ 22,000lbs. I gotta see your models!  p.s. ours is a 1948 and went originaly to MO-PAC also.
Title: Re: GM PDA-3703 Weight
Post by: DMoedave on October 24, 2006, 08:30:42 PM
Ok Peter, only buses could keep me awake this long. Of all the old pics i have i found a MO-PAC PDA3702 with Gross wieght 24500 on the first bay door aft of front tire and a Burlington Trailways PDG 3701 ( early silversides) has empty weight 20350 33 passengers on the side before the icc #. Good luck. You should try Michaud Bus sales, they had a 3703 they totaly refurbished and Greyhound in Hibbing has one. Maybe try Pacific Bus museum web site. David