Thomas Built Buses FS-65: Difference between revisions

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{| class="infobox" style="border: 7px solid #3f3f3f; padding: 2px; float:right; width: 25em; text-align: left; font-size: 90%; background-color:#ffcf00; width: 256px; font-size: 95%; margin: 4px;"
{| class="infobox" style="border: 7px solid #3f3f3f; padding: 2px; float:right; width: 25em; text-align: left; font-size: 90%; background-color:#ffcf00; width: 256px; font-size: 95%; margin: 4px;"
|-
|-
! align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#3f3f3f;" | <big><font color=white>Thomas Built Buses - FS-65</font></big>
! align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#3f3f3f;" | <big><font color=white>Thomas Built Buses FS-65</font></big>
|-
|-
|colspan="2"| [[Image:Golden Arrow 376.jpg|300px]]
|colspan="2"| [[Image:Golden Arrow 376.jpg|300px]]
|-
|-
| '''Years of manufacture''' || 1995-2006
| '''Years of manufacture''' || 1997 to 2006
|-
|-
| '''Length''' ||  
| '''Length''' ||  
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|}
|}


The '''[[Thomas Built Buses]] FS-65''' is a Type C school bus built on a variety of chassis. Nearly a quarter of a million FS-65 conventional bodies were produced.<ref name="ThomasRetired">[http://www.thomasbus.com/bus-models/type-c/fs65-retired.asp Thomas retires the FS-65], thomasbus.com, retrieved 09-06-30</ref>
In May 1996, [[Freightliner]] introduced their new type-C school bus chassis, known as the '''FS-65'''. Freightliner had worked with [[Thomas Built Buses]] to develop a chassis/body combination that boasted a larger windshield, a raised driver's platform, and a sloping hood, all leading to better visibility. Production was expected to begin in mid-1996.<ref>Freightliner enters school bus market. 15 May 1996. Press release. Freightliner Corporation.</ref> The first bus was completed and delivered to John T. Cyr & Sons in January 1997.<ref>First Freightliner school bus completed and delivered to largest contractor in Maine. 09 January 1997. Press release. Freightliner Corporation.</ref>


The [[Freightliner Custom Chassis|Freightliner]] [[Freightliner Custom Chassis FS-65|FS-65]] chassis was first offered in 1995, and was made the standard Type C chassis for Thomas, when Thomas was acquired by Freightliner Group.
When launched, the FS-65 chassis was also available to other body manufacturers, including [[Blue Bird]], [[Carpenter Industries|Capenter]], and [[Corbeil Bus Corporation|Corbeil]]. By the end of 2002, Blue Bird had designed their own type-C chassis, Carpenter had ceased operation, and Corbeil focused solely on producing type-A buses. At this time, Thomas, which had become a subsidiary of Freightliner in 1998<ref>Press release. 06 October 1998.</ref>, produced their type-C buses exclusively on the FS-65 chassis.


On December 13, 2006, Thomas Built Buses delivered the last FS-65 school bus, and the FS-65 was replaced by the [[Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2|Saf-T-Liner C2]]. A total of 62,764 Freightliner FS-65 chassis have been produced.<ref name="ThomasRetired" />
On December 13, 2006, Thomas delivered their last FS-65 school bus. The FS-65 was succeeded by the [[Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2|Saf-T-Liner C2]], which was launched two years earlier. A total of 62,764 Freightliner FS-65 chassis were produced, and nearly a quarter of a million FS-65 conventional bodies were produced.<ref name="ThomasRetired">[http://www.thomasbus.com/bus-models/type-c/fs65-retired.asp Thomas retires the FS-65], thomasbus.com, retrieved 09-06-30</ref>
 
==Chassis Offered==
* Chevrolet C60 / GMC 6000 (1972-1992?)
* International 3800 Series (1989-2004)
* Freightliner FL-Series (1995-2006)


==Other Photos==
==Other Photos==
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Elk Island Catholic Schools 52.jpg|A low-roof model of the FS-65 on the GMC 6000 platform.
Image:Golden Arrow 197.jpg|A low-roof model International 3800 chassis FS-65.
Image:Southland Transportation 756.jpg|A shorter, low-roof Freightliner model of the FS-65.
Image:Southland Transportation 756.jpg|A shorter, low-roof Freightliner model of the FS-65.
</gallery>
</gallery>
==Specifications==
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
|-
!colspan=3|Dimensions
|-
|colspan=3|Wheelbase: 150" to 276"
|-
|colspan=3|GVWR: 18,000 to 35,000 lbs
|-
!Engine
!Emissions
!Availability
|-
|[[Caterpillar]] [[Caterpillar 3126|3126]] 7.2 litre
|
|1997-2004
|-
|[[Caterpillar]] [[Caterpillar C7|C7]] 7.2 litre
|EPA 2004
|2004-2006
|-
|[[Cummins]] [[Cummins ISB|ISB]] 5.9 litre, 185-250 hp
|
|1997-2006
|-
|[[Mercedes-Benz]] [[Mercedes-Benz OM 900|MBE904]] 4.3 litre, 170-190 hp
|EPA 2004
|2002-2006
|-
|[[Mercedes-Benz]] [[Mercedes-Benz OM 900|MBE906]] 6.4 litre, 185-250 hp
|EPA 2004
|2002-2006
|-
!colspan=2|Transmission
!Availability
|-
|colspan=2|[[Allison]] 2000 Series
|
|-
|colspan=2|[[Allison]] [[Allison AT Series|AT-545]]
|
|-
|colspan=2|[[Allison]] MD3060
|
|-
|colspan=2|Fuller 5 speed manual
|
|-
!colspan=3|Front axle
|-
|colspan=3|FC-941 8000 lb.
|-
|colspan=3|FF-961 12,000 lb.
|-
!colspan=3|Rear axle
|-
|colspan=3|RS-13-140 13,000 lb.
|-
|colspan=3|RS-23-160 23,000 lb.
|-
!colspan=3|Suspension
|-
|colspan=3|6,000 or 12,000 taperleaf
|-
|colspan=3|12,000 taperleaf and 23,000 lb. Airliner
|-
!colspan=3|Brakes
|-
|colspan=3|Bosch hydraulic disc brakes 16-1/2" x 5" front and 16-1/2" x 7" rear air brakes
|}


==Operators==
==Operators==
===Canada [[Image:Flag of Canada.png|28px]]===
===Canada [[Image:Flag of Canada.png|28px]]===
* [[Academia Bus Company]] - Vancouver, BC
* [[Canadian Armed Forces]]
* [[Canadian Armed Forces]]
* [[Cardinal Coach Lines]] ([[FirstGroup plc]]) - Calgary, AB
* [[Cardinal Coach Lines]] ([[FirstGroup plc]]) - Calgary, AB
* [[Dannel Transportation]] - St. Catharines, ON
* [[Elk Island Schools]] - Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Counties of Strathcona, Lamont, and Minburn, AB
* [[Elk Island Schools]] - Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Counties of Strathcona, Lamont, and Minburn, AB
* [[Farr's Coach Lines]] - Dunnville, ON
* [[Farr's Coach Lines]] - Dunnville, ON
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* [[Southland Transportation]] - Calgary, AB
* [[Southland Transportation]] - Calgary, AB
* [[Wills Bus Lines]] - Binbrook, ON
* [[Wills Bus Lines]] - Binbrook, ON
===United States [[Image:Flag of the United States.png|28px]]===
* [[Trinity Transportation]] - Wyandotte, MI
* [[UConn Transportation Services]] - Storrs, CT


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 23:44, 3 May 2019

Thomas Built Buses FS-65
Golden Arrow 376.jpg
Years of manufacture 1997 to 2006
Length
Width 96 inches
Power/Fuel Diesel
Golden Arrow 326.jpg

In May 1996, Freightliner introduced their new type-C school bus chassis, known as the FS-65. Freightliner had worked with Thomas Built Buses to develop a chassis/body combination that boasted a larger windshield, a raised driver's platform, and a sloping hood, all leading to better visibility. Production was expected to begin in mid-1996.[1] The first bus was completed and delivered to John T. Cyr & Sons in January 1997.[2]

When launched, the FS-65 chassis was also available to other body manufacturers, including Blue Bird, Capenter, and Corbeil. By the end of 2002, Blue Bird had designed their own type-C chassis, Carpenter had ceased operation, and Corbeil focused solely on producing type-A buses. At this time, Thomas, which had become a subsidiary of Freightliner in 1998[3], produced their type-C buses exclusively on the FS-65 chassis.

On December 13, 2006, Thomas delivered their last FS-65 school bus. The FS-65 was succeeded by the Saf-T-Liner C2, which was launched two years earlier. A total of 62,764 Freightliner FS-65 chassis were produced, and nearly a quarter of a million FS-65 conventional bodies were produced.[4]

Other Photos

  • A shorter, low-roof Freightliner model of the FS-65.

Specifications

Operators

Canada Flag of Canada.png

United States Flag of the United States.png

References

  1. ↑ Freightliner enters school bus market. 15 May 1996. Press release. Freightliner Corporation.
  2. ↑ First Freightliner school bus completed and delivered to largest contractor in Maine. 09 January 1997. Press release. Freightliner Corporation.
  3. ↑ Press release. 06 October 1998.
  4. ↑ Thomas retires the FS-65, thomasbus.com, retrieved 09-06-30
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