Neoplan bendy-buses on eBay

dukegrad98 · August 20, 2014, 12:40:08 PM

I see that a couple of former City of Houston bendy-buses are up on eBay -- item 161393868093. 1999 Neoplans, mileage apparently unknown.

Quick, someone tell me again that this would be an incredibly stupid idea! I know that these were used as shuttles from remote parking to the stadium where the Houston Rodeo is held, but don't know what else they were used for other times of the year. You didn't see them on the road regularly.

The Series 50 seems pretty underpowered for something this long and presumably heavy, but the guy swears they max out around 65mph.

I need a bendy-bus like I need a hole in the head. But like the double-deckers, you could really do some creative stuff with one of these things.

Cheers, John

luvrbus · August 20, 2014, 12:46:29 PM

LOL you are a slow learner John

even thinking about it the City of Houston dumped those because no parts are available,last time I there they had 2 they parting to keep the others going

dukegrad98 · August 20, 2014, 01:00:44 PM

Slow learner, entirely possible! It's been about five years since I lived in Houston, but I remember those things well as rodeo shuttles. The S50 is pretty reliable, but I still say marginal for something that big. I guess glass is hard to find. Hadn't really thought about other parts. Like I said, I need it like a hole in the head, but bendy-buses have always been a weak spot for me.

The Prevost H60 has the engine in the front unit, right? It looks like the Neoplan pushes from the very back of the trailer unit? That seems kind of odd, and I may be wrong.

Would be awesome to convert the front half of one, and use the back half as a garage / race platform / trailer. Or just have a giant two-room conversion.

My mind wanders...what can I say?

belfert · August 20, 2014, 02:01:00 PM

You might have problems registering one with the engine in the back. With something like the Prevost H60 the front part can be registered as a motorhome and the back part as a trailer. I've read in the past that special permits are needed for the articulated buses with the engine in the back. Transit companies usually have special authority to run articulated buses without permits.

Oonrahnjay · August 20, 2014, 03:46:26 PM

Quote from: dukegrad98 on August 20, 2014, 12:40:08 PM... I need a bendy-bus like I need a hole in the head. ...

As someone with an "unusual" configuration bus, I'd agree with that. That length will be with you every minute you're running air con or heat, every mile you're on the road, every time you try to park (or probably, more to the point, trying to find someplace to park). Also, I think they're really low. I have 11" tall water and waste tanks (works OK but it took doing) and interior space somewhat taken up by generator, inverter, batteries, etc. I think they have a LOT going against them.

lvmci · August 20, 2014, 03:50:53 PM

Hi John, very few parks or places would have space for 60'. You could boondock in the middle of the desert! Tom, lvmci...

dukegrad98 · August 20, 2014, 04:03:34 PM

Quote from: lvmci on August 20, 2014, 03:50:53 PM
Hi John, very few parks or places would have space for 60'. You could boondock in the middle of the desert! Tom, lvmci...

I'm inclined to agree with this point and have made it myself in the past, though it's been pointed out to me that a four-door extended-bed pickup pulling a 40-foot travel trailer or fifth-wheel isn't really very much shorter in length. You'd definitely want a pull-thru spot!

Besides, speaking of holes in the head...I need to be getting out of the bus business, not into it! Tom, you've got e-mail from last night.

Cheers, John

belfert · August 20, 2014, 05:05:44 PM

You could build walls to separate areas to limit the amount of area that needs to be heat/cooled at any one time. I sure wouldn't mind a Prevost H60 if it wasn't for the hinge and the engine that is impossible to get to.