What era do we need to support, for such an idea to roll? My interests would be those seen into the mid-1960s.
The basic box has been the same from the early 70's until about 2005 when the windows became larger and tapered towards the center. Early 80's GMC http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkhairedgirl/2502724905/ Mid 80's Ford 800 http://www.flickr.com/photos/8490341@N04/4133776431/ Early 90's GMC http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathan020/190003114/ Late 90's International http://www.flickr.com/photos/king-german-fool/6012139860/ Mid 2000's International http://www.flickr.com/photos/65340664@N05/5951643381/ Mid 80's Chevy http://www.flickr.com/photos/trini38/5966520371/
Hmm, it's certainly a good idea! Hasn't anyone made n-scale school buses before though? I could swear that I've seen them on layouts before (die-cast maybe?).
MakeMyModel had a modern 1:160 scale school bus. Scroll down about halfway on this page to sort of see it: http://www.spur-n.com/makemymodelauto.html Neal's N-Gauging Trains imported one made by P & D Marsh in England that was based on a 1960s IH design. You can find a photo of it about mid-way down on this page: http://www.spur-n.com/nealsngauging.html A lot of people use a die-cast toy version that is oversize for N scale. http://www.amazon.com/SCALE-Bluebird-SCHOOL-train-layouts/dp/B003TL3UVI Priate Models have a 1:148 version of a Bluebird as well. http://www.spur-n.com/pirate.html Tusugawa has a 1:150 scale version based on a 1950s Japanese prototype, but you need to relocate the door to the right side. Carter
Any one know what happened to the Make My Model company? I used to see their displays in hobby shops a couple of years ago but lately they are gone.
Fine N Scale does a 40's bus in resin... - http://finenscale.com/images/trucks-2004.jpg I think what a lot of people would like to see is something like this that Walthers has in HO... http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/949-11701 Personally I would like to see a smaller late 40's early 50's style bus. I'm not even sure what would be correct for that. Although, in the town I model, all kids walked 5 miles up hill all the way to and from school. That's what my grandpa told me anyhow.
A few cuts and a Atlas Ford truck plus some plastic does those diecasts good. A little paint helps too.
All their stuff has been, "Out of Production" for several years. I tried to order some of their pontoon boats back 2009 but no luck. I have a couple of diecast school busses, not sure of the make. Any Shapeway guys that would do pontoon boats or golf carts similiar to what MakeMyModel had would get some business from me. Charlie
Dear Charlie, I just had a look and see if I can make you a golf cart, however the problem is that the framework that connects the roof to the rest of the model will be very thin and will most likely break during shipping. Unless you make it a bit thicker ofcourse.. Mitchell
That is the type of bus I drive. The body is made by Wolfington while the chassis is an International forty foot truck chassis. Most modern buses use the International chassis for their "C" model buses. The "C" model is the conventional school bus with a hood and the entrance door behind the front wheels. The "D" models have no hood and are known as 'flat noses'. They have the entrance door in front of the front wheels. The "A" model is your basic mini bus utilizing a van chasis while the "B" model is larger than a mini bus but smaller than a "C" or "D" model. They are not seen much but they look a lot like a bread truck. The "C" model is by far the most numerous of the big buses
It would be interesting to see how it would come out. If the supports break I could invision replacing them with piano wire or something similiar. Charlie
I would have to disagree with that statement. Maybe in 'The Old Days" there where more "C's" then "D's". But as far as "Modern" school buses...the D's" far out number the "C's". The only "C's" you normally see are the Special Needs buses. I drove school buses for 6 years after finally hanging up my Peterbilt keys.
Around here, most school buses are conventional configuration with a hood. There have always been a few flat-nosed buses, but far fewer than Cs or even minibuses. Recently, I've been seeing a version/equivalent of the C with a more sloped windshield with a prominent angular frame.
Must be a regional thing. Here in Arizona almost everything I see is the 'flat nose' as you call them
It probably come down to how much input the drivers get. Whether they feel safer with a engine bay bettween them and the truck after the brakes fail or the manueverability of the bus with the front wheels behind the driver. I would think that the urban areas would favor the flats over the noses.
I would think it would have to do with driver input. The nose offers some safety in frontal collisions. The Flats offer more manuevering ability in tighter spaces. I'd think you'd see more flats in urban settings. But then again a region manufactuer can tilt the balance a lot.
Nope, what it comes down to is how many bodys you need to transport. The D or westcoasters as they are called can carry up to 84(old crowns 92) whereas the C type bodys max out at about 72. My job is to get as many students to school per bus/driver as possible. I also run my buses on compressed natural gas at about .45 cents per gas gallon and can set the oil changes at 30K+ ca-ching$$$$
