GM PD4106-1616 now at the Connecticut Trolley Museum

bkelly1011 · October 06, 2012, 07:28:53 PM

Folks -

Just a quick update, this bus made the trip from Ansonia to East Windsor, CT on Saturday, September 15th without issues (aside from a nearly asphixiated bicyclist on CT 41). I'm awaiting pictures/video from the trip from the museum team from that trip, I will post them when they come available. All in all, a success, and they're still under budget. More funding is coming from my employer as a matching gift, so the hope is that it will more than be enough to pay for cleaning, painting, and hopefully addressing some repairs that are needed (front air suspension leak, mostly).

Bus "rescue" post including work party video and pictures from back in August here.
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=23758.0

If you're planning on a trip around the Hartford area, the museum is about 15 minutes north, they have a neat trolley collection (including a GM TDH that runs on rails) - and they actually have a decent stretch of track that they run them on.

http://www.ct-trolley.org/

Take care,
Brad

OneLapper · October 07, 2012, 03:54:20 PM

Good news! It took a bit of effort to work with the eccentric owner, but in the end he decided to sell the bus to the Connecticut Trolley Museum instead of scrapping it!

We can't underestimate the amount of effort that Brad put into getting this bus to a good home! There's no doubt that the owner had no choice but to send it to recyclers after a pair of goons who wanted to buy the bus pulled the starter when it wouldn't start. They must have intended to fix the starter, reinstall it, then drive it away. We don't know where it went wrong, but the goons backed out and shipped the dead starter back in pieces! There sat the bus, starterless for years.

I'm looking forward to see the new videos on Youtube!

Mark

belfert · October 07, 2012, 04:46:52 PM

I fail to understand why the owner would have been forced to scrap the unit for a simple lack of a starter? It isn't like the starters are made of unobtanium. Was it just that he didn't know how to reinstall the starter if he had a good one?

Glad to see it wasn't scrapped and went to a worthy home.

bkelly1011 · October 07, 2012, 06:00:02 PM

Hey Brian - Basically, yes you're correct; the owner knew so little verifiable info about the bus, it was scary - much less how to wrench a good starter in. Weirdest vehicle purchase I've ever been a part of. Very glad it's over and thankful it worked out as well as it did. Brad

bkelly1011 · December 07, 2012, 02:55:17 PM

The Trolley Museum posted a picture of PD4106-1616 with its new buddies up at the Trolley Museum a week or so ago, just noticed it. See below. Its official display date is targeted for April; currently it's being stored indoors with their antique fire equipment awaiting its new paint job.

The question remains - can PD4106-1616 overtake a Westy on the flat on I-91? Stay tuned later this weekend for the exciting video to find out.

RJ · December 07, 2012, 10:16:03 PM

Quote from: bkelly1011 on December 07, 2012, 02:55:17 PM
The question remains - can PD4106-1616 overtake a Westy on the flat on I-91?

I don't think you're talking about a Westy as defined by the Urban Dictionary, or are you?

luvrbus · December 08, 2012, 02:45:55 PM

A VW bus is not that hard to overtake lol

bkelly1011 · December 09, 2012, 05:47:32 AM

OK, Video #1 - 65 mph cruise = Bus 1, Westy 0. Thanks to Bert Johanson, Safety Director at the CT Trolley Museum for catching this back in September around Wallingford (aka "Wallingfuhd") CT.

PD4106-1616 Travelling on I-91N to the Connecticut Trolley Museum - #1

Video #2 - Some uphill action give Bert a chance to catch up.

PD4106-1616 Travelling on I-91N to the Connecticut Trolley Museum - #2

Thanks,
Brad

OneLapper · December 10, 2012, 08:19:07 AM

I'm glad to see 1616 rolling down the highway! It was a sad site to see her sinking into the ground at the PO's place. There's no doubt that it would have never been sold that way it was.... no starter, frozen throttle cable, dead batteries, air leaks, etc.

You know, it looks like its rolling along pretty well, too! I know my bus smoked and drooled for countless mile after sitting for just a couple years..... Maybe 1616 still has some good life left in her yet!

Thanks to Brad for making this all happen!! This is one of those 'feel good' moments for the people with mechanical sympathy!

Mark

seaton@mta · December 11, 2012, 07:14:03 AM

I don't know which was better, seeing a 4106 steaming down 91 or watching a driver who will actually move to the left when they see a car on the shoulder.

It looks like a lot of hard work went to getting that coach back out on the road but it seems like it will be worth it. What will it be painted as?

-- Seaton

bkelly1011 · December 11, 2012, 02:16:49 PM

Hi Seaton -

It will be done in Connecticut Company livery. I'm not exactly sure what the scheme looked like for a PD, but it'll be a medium blue color similar to the two TDs in the picture attached to my Reply #4 above. Originally, I was hoping they'd be true to its original owner (Hudson Transit Corp/Short Line of NJ #320) which I think it was light green/gray, but they elected to go with a CT theme and a different number. I'm fine with that since they always wanted one and it shows in how they're taking care of it.

Take care,
Brad