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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Slow Rider on July 26, 2007, 08:17:30 PM

Title: MCI Bus Info
Post by: Slow Rider on July 26, 2007, 08:17:30 PM
Hello everyone,

Is there a web site I can look for the history of my new ride?

MCI MC8 serial number 1441  has TMC on the data plate, which I think means it was built in New Mexico. 

Appreciate any help,

Thanks,

Frank
Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on July 26, 2007, 09:41:30 PM
Hi Frank,

Here is a link to the MC9's specs. but, you can click on the 8's at the left of the page.

http://www.mcicoach.com/PreOwnedCoaches/preownedMC9.htm

Nick-
Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: Stan on July 27, 2007, 06:59:08 AM
Slow Rider: 1441 is not a complete MCI serial number. It could be a company fleet number, or a "Unit Number" which forms part of the serial number. Try this web site for MC-8 delivery info.

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/TORONTO/builders/mci8.html
Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: roadrunnertex on July 27, 2007, 07:05:50 AM
Here is your MC-8 1st owner.
T35-376-1441  Greyhound Lines-East (IL)                5427   1976  ;D
jlv
Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: Busted Knuckle on July 27, 2007, 04:54:36 PM
Quote from: Stan on July 27, 2007, 06:59:08 AM
Slow Rider: 1441 is not a complete MCI serial number. It could be a company fleet number, or a "Unit Number" which forms part of the serial number. Try this web site for MC-8 delivery info.

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/TORONTO/builders/mci8.html

Stan He can't help that you an Bus Warrior and probably some others say it ain't the complete #! But it is what TMC put on the VIN plate over the driver seat, also on the bulkhead behind the blower fans, also stamped into at least 2 other places on the bus I have located over the yrs servicing this BUS! I didn't think it was correct either, but ya know what? The parts folks at MCI asked me for the serial # once and when I gave it to him "he told me there was no way" either, but when he called back he told me "he was sorry that he didn't realize there were some units that left the production line with a 4 didgit serial # and that his supervisor had corrected him and found it somewhere" and got us the right part! Now whether or not he was just BSMA or what, they did send the right part the first time! (which is rare for MCI in the first place!) So he's giv'n ya what he's got!
;D  BK  ;D
Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: buswarrior on July 27, 2007, 04:59:12 PM
Yup, we are all learning something new!!

TMC buses aren't numbered like MCI buses, even though the darned things look the same and have the same name!

just when we thought we had this thing figured out....

happy coaching!
buswarrior
Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: Stan on July 27, 2007, 05:31:17 PM
Now that we have the serial number sorted out, do we know who the original owner was. Is roadrunnertex's info correct with what looks like a more reasonable serial number?

MCI used to have the delivery info on all their buses going back to the 1930s (at the Winnipeg factory, not the downtown office) but they  may have all been lost in the multiple company sales that took place.
Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: roadrunnertex on July 27, 2007, 07:53:06 PM
Roadrunnertex information on the TMC MC-8 is 100% correct! ;D



Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: Slow Rider on July 28, 2007, 07:38:47 AM
Thanks everyone.  I appreciate the information.  JVickers also contacted me offboard with similar help.  So now I know it was an original Hound and I bought it from a church.  Will have to play detective and see if I can find out any more info. 

Once again , thanks,

Frank
Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: Dallas on July 28, 2007, 03:13:58 PM
Quote from: Slow Rider on July 28, 2007, 07:38:47 AM
Thanks everyone.  I appreciate the information.  JVickers also contacted me offboard with similar help.  So now I know it was an original Hound and I bought it from a church.  Will have to play detective and see if I can find out any more info. 

Once again , thanks,

Frank


Hmmmm,
With first Greyhound for maintenance, then on through a charter or two and then leaving the maintenance in the hands of a "Higher Power"... Frank, you only have one way to go and that's up!

HEHEHEHEHEHEHE
Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: Hi yo silver on July 28, 2007, 04:24:27 PM
Hmmm, trying to figure this out.  Got anything on TMC #1088?
Dennis
Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: roadrunnertex on July 28, 2007, 04:56:28 PM
TMC coaches were built in Roswell N.M. The building where the TMC Coaches were built was the jumbo airplane hanger that was built when it was a SAC base (Walker AFB NM) The base was closed in the late 1960's (1967) if my memory serves me right.
Most of the early production coaches went to Greyhound and it's other companies like New Mexico Transportation CO.-TNM&O, Kerrville Bus Company and other bus companies that Greyhound had their hand in.
Some of the easy ways to tell if your MCI coach was a ex-hound!
is
A.To start the bus you have to turn the chime and step light switch on to get it to start.
B.AUX fuel tank in the front baggage bin.
C.In station lighting.
D.The 6"X6" door on the drivers side down and aft of the drivers side window for in station A/C.
Also if it has a lavatory open the trash can container removal door look on the side wall of that compartment and you will find a small health certificate stating the first owner of the coach.Note you will need a flashlight. ;D

Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: ol713 on July 28, 2007, 05:00:09 PM
Quote from: Stan on July 27, 2007, 06:59:08 AM
Slow Rider: 1441 is not a complete MCI serial number. It could be a company fleet number, or a "Unit Number" which forms part of the serial number. Try this web site for MC-8 delivery info.

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/TORONTO/builders/mci8.html

  Can I stumble around this site for info for MC-7's?  I believe mine was
  delivered to the Louisana Texas area.
                         Thanks,  Merle.
Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: buswarrior on July 28, 2007, 05:04:34 PM
And, don't jump to conclusions, because other fleets duplicated the Greyhound specs, if they interlined or shared facilites, for instance the in-station lighting and the in station HVAC.

Gray Coach Lines in Toronto did both, as they interlined with GLI Toronto-Buffalo-New York City.

The in-station HVAC may see a rennaissance as anti-idling laws get stiffer, a fuel and air saving concept that was ahead of its time?

You can still see where the HVAC units were hung from the roof in the Buffalo Terminal.

happy coaching!
buswarrior
Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: roadrunnertex on July 29, 2007, 07:17:28 AM
  T24-210-1088  Greyhound Lines-West (CA)    7594   1975   To ?

Pretty well all 1975-1976 TMC-8s were Greyhounds.Beyond that, most of them
were until 1980 when TMC started taking over private orders from MCI to
meet demand. ;D
Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: Hi yo silver on July 29, 2007, 05:19:10 PM
Thanks, Tex!
Dennis
Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: Stan on July 29, 2007, 05:50:57 PM
Merle: If you have your MC-7 serial number, it should be on that site.
Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: kfbmx on July 31, 2007, 01:57:46 PM
Why does mine not show up in the list? 

My numbers are Unit #31236 and Serial #S11554
Title: Re: MCI Bus Info
Post by: Dreamscape on July 31, 2007, 02:25:53 PM
Slow Rider, See what you have done, stirred up a hornets nest regarding MCI's.  ;D Just think if you would have bought THE brand.

I look forward to reading your posts on your new toy.

Happy Trails,

Paul

Dreamscape