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Our Coach 314
inside the Museum roundhouse |
Our Mack C-45-GT was built in
Allentown, PA in 1947 for the St. Louis Public Service Company. It served for the Company
until retired, probably in the mid to late 1960's. It's original number was 4032 while in
St. Louis.
While in St. Louis, the
original Mack gasoline engine was removed and converted to Diesel. This was a common practice during
the 50's and into the 60's at many systems across the country as most systems were
switching to buying GM Diesel coaches. The converting of the engine would allow the use of
one fuel instead of maintaining two separate fueling facilities. It is believed that 314
was converted over somewhere around 1954-55 due to the starter that is on the bus which
was only made during those two years.
The next owner was Peninsula
Transit in Virginia who operated under the name of PennTran who operated the coach until
they retired it in 1976. The starting date at PennTran is unknown but it still wears the
PennTran logos as well as the PennTran fleet number of 314 and PennTran livery.
The next documented owner of
this coach was Railways to Yesterday out of Central PA. It is not known at this time if
Railways to Yesterday purchased the bus direct from PennTran or if the obtained it from
another party. They purchased this coach to preserve it but as primarily a trolley museum,
this coach didn't fit well into their collection and they donated the bus to AMCAP.
314 was sent out to Rosedale
Technical Institute in April of 2003 to be mechanically restored. Although the bus looks
rather rough, the understructure and body are in good shape. Once returned from Rosedale,
needed body/appearance work will be done and the bus painted to represent the Mack buses
that ran for Pittsburgh Railways Company.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Mack Manufacturing
Corp.
Year: 1947
Model:
C-45-GT*
Serial:
1983
Length: 35
foot
Width: 96
inches
Engine:
Mack Diesel*
Seating:
44 passengers
Condition:
Fair. The body is good but needs mechanical and interior work.
*
Originally a gasoline powered bus and converted to Diesel.
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