Ward / Amtran / IC Bus (Part 2)
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Bangbros Online Watch
As I mentioned in Part I, Ward Mfg. Bus. renamed in 1981 to form the American Transportation Corporation. The company started business as Amtran Corporation. However, Ward brand was retained by the new owners because of its prestige in school buses.
introduced to market the Vanguard. This model was considered by the company "the largest compact school buses." Had capacity up to 23 passengers. Platform was made on Chevrolet.
In 1983, the Harmon brothers bought the assets of the Amtran. In this year marks 50 years of the company.
In that same 1983, Amtran introduced its second new model, the Patriot. For the first time in decades was introduced a brand new school bus. Its all-new front allowed for greater visibility compared with convensional models and greater capacity seats (63 to 78 passengers). It also highlighted the large panoramic windshield and a more compact box section. The hall ceiling was increased to a standard height of 78 ". In windows padlocks adapted unique in the industry.
Photo taken from the School Bus Fleet magazine
ad appears in the following model and shield Patriot commemorative 50 th anniversary of the company and the brand Ward.
mid 1980's AmtTran assembled four models of school buses, in addition to the aforementioned Vanguard and Patriot , models were and Minuteman Volunteer .
Volunteer model was described by the company as the classic school bus product engineering and safety technology of the mid-twentieth century. Had a capacity of 29 to 77 passengers and its safety features contributed to improvements in the federal standards. Platform was available in Navistar and Ford. The hall was 74 "tall.
Minuteman model, the smallest Amtran family was designed for groups of 16 or fewer people.
In 1987 the company
International Harvester (IH) which produced the right time for bus platforms (among others) became Navistar .
Navistar in 1991 bought a part of the American Transportation Corporation. The era of mergers and acquisitions among manufacturers of platforms and bodies had then begun. Navistar International had acquired a third of the assets of the Corporation Amtran.
Even before he made school bus platforms. Loadstar series was made by IH from 1962 to 1979. Was used in trucks, school buses and fire trucks.
Bus International Harvester Loadstar Egged Museum at the Museum, of Holon, Israel
Another series of platforms built by IH was International S "Schoolmaster" it was for Type C buses ( conventional). It was introduced in 1979 as the replacement of the platform Loadstar, was also used both for commercial applications. In 1989, he was replaced by the International 3800; both platforms were offered that year. The Schoolmaster was the last platform designated by International Harvester.
Bus school-S-Series with Blue Bird Body
was launched in 1990 to market the Senator. This model had category D, with seating from 54 to 84 passengers. He had some unique features, including windshields completely thawed in four parts across the width, window operator with own defroster, adjustable driver seat 6-way position, heater, front 78 000 BTU standard, more or heating for operator with 15 000 BTU capacity, aisle height of 74 "(with option up to 78") and warranty and 5 years or 100 thousand miles. It was available in a variety of platforms specially designed Navistar including the 3900 FC.
In early 1992, Amtran eliminated the use of the Ward brand school buses, many product lines Ward continued in production under the brand Amtran. Senator model change to Genesis, a name which remained until 1997.
In April 1995, Navistar also obtained an option that allowed him to buy the other two thirds of Amtran. Navistar exercised the option in that year.
In 1996, Amtran ended school bus production to concentrate Type in full-size school buses, becoming the first major manufacturer to produce exclusively for these buses. In the same year was introduced to the market Amtran RE, rear engine bus type D. Also in the Genesis the front door was relocated closer to the front bumper.
In 1997, the Volunteer was called back CS model after changes in the front of the body that led to replace the control panels and the front door.
In 1998, the Genesis was called back Amtran FE after a redesign in the front, the grid was reduced in size, and Use front headlights were replaced by simple double
Photo taken from http://www.schoolbus.lunarpages.com/Pictures/IC/IC002-01.jpg
in 1999 announced plans Amtran to build a plant in Tulsa, Oklahoma to employ 1200 people. This plant was built in 1941 by the U.S. Air Force, where he built the B-24 bombers. It covers 115 acres. The first bus assembly in this plant came on line April 11, 2001.
Navistar In March 2000, beginning the use of the mark Conventional Integrated International (CI) for the products of the company. CS's Chest is redesigned and Recall as Amtran IC.
conventional buses (International IC) are built in the new plant and plant in Conway, Arkansas continued the production of buses with rear engine (RE International ") and motor Front (International FE). The plant in Conway, Arkansas is an area of \u200b\u200b183 acres.
In 2002 the company changed its name to IC Corporation.
So far the second half. The data shown in this study were taken from the network and several copies of the magazine School Bus Fleet, which were provided by Robert L. Smith. With some exceptions Photos were taken of these specimens. José Ramírez Lozano
Monterrey, NL, Mexico.
Monday, December 6, 2010
John Deere Trail Fire Track Length
Ward / Amtran / IC Bus (Part 1)
Ward School Bus Mfg. Co . (1933-1979)
The company could build 100 carrocerias week and join up to 45 body, which were mounted on Ford and GM platforms, and then shipped directly to buyers. Their bodies were so tough that if being involved in an accident "could do a triple somersault on the pavement with 40 passengers without collapsing. The company expanded beyond the school bus, a manufacturer of air conditioners for buses and poultry mass transit. In 1960, the company added tourist buses in its line.
Model M62S " Safeguard (Safeguard) was a pusher type curved windshield and rear engine . engine and transmission assemblies are fully Free service work. A backdoor provided full access in a crash. A door provided access to compartment on the right side of the engine. The transmission and engine maintenance were available through access located under the rear seat and rear couch. Capacity 61-73 pupils.
catalog Copies courtesy of Robert L. Smith
By the early 1970s, buses Ward offered a variety of innovations in security, of which the most important was a high seat design cushioning. The seats were consist of steel frames covered with a minimum of 1 "thick polyurethane foam high density. These seats are offered in four combinations of colors. The same material paddings of high-density polyurethane was used in protection against impact and guardrails. A high impact plastic is used to protect the hood from the front. The same material was used in the main shell conditioning units.
DH "Dave" 1933 Ward built the helmet of a wood-bodied bus to Mr. Carl Brady of the Southside School District, using, as he put it, "with only a hammer, a square, and a saw. "
In 1936 began the manufacture of bus bodies all steel, one of the first in the U.S. of A. The first bus had seats along each side of the interior and windows. Ward sold at least two bodies this year.
school bus demand grew rapidly and the size of the company. Reason for a new building was built in the center at 805 Avenue of Harkrider. From an initial surface 10.000 square feet, it grew to 100,000 square feet.
expansion Ward Industries operations in 1956 led to the establishment of the company CS Sash Company windows maker Coach Ward patented and School Furniture Company, both in Conway.
In February 1947 opened a plant for buses in the city of Mexico, it was closed in 1954. To replace it built a new Ward Body Works in Austin, Texas. 71.600-square-foot plant was opened in March 1951, receiving parts for buses of the plant in Conway.
In 1953, Conway and Austin plants manufactured on 2 000 bus bodies. Steel was sent by the Jones & Laughlin and the Mississippi River. Ward School Furniture was sold to the mid-1950s to the Chamberlin School Furniture.
In 1954, Ward moved its assembly line in the Avenue Harkrider Conway Avenue to a plant of 114,000 square feet with about 170 empledaos just south of the city limits on Highway No. 65 Arkansas.
The company could build 100 carrocerias week and join up to 45 body, which were mounted on Ford and GM platforms, and then shipped directly to buyers. Their bodies were so tough that if being involved in an accident "could do a triple somersault on the pavement with 40 passengers without collapsing. The company expanded beyond the school bus, a manufacturer of air conditioners for buses and poultry mass transit. In 1960, the company added tourist buses in its line. Sach In 1968 CS Surelite renamed.
Ward Body Works passed into the hands of Charles Ward, the eldest son of Dave. Charles had worked for the plant in Austin since he finished his studies in 1959.
The following picture shows a 1964 model tested in the facilities Ward. The first two tests included a car without a driver traveling at 45 mph (72 kph ) crashing into the side of the bus and then back. In these tests the bus suffered only minor mechanical damage. The third test showed the importance of using safety belts for passengers on a bus. The same day the bus was rolled 51 / 4 turns on steep hill 150 feet high, a total distance of 350 feet.
catalog Copies courtesy of Robert L. Smith
The plant remained open until 1970, when it was replaced by a new plant of 41,000 square feet in Darlington, Pennsylvania. All parts used in assembly came directly from the plant in Conway.
The following photo shows a model M62 RV Conventional , bodywork FRMA arches of a piece of high strength steel spaced 27 centers, "Hall 12" and a minimum of 71 "of headroom. Two-piece door operated manually. Ability to 24-72 pupils. IH platform.
The following picture shows a Model M62F front engine and a curved windshield , spray applied insulation on all exposed surfaces and in the bottom of the body. Box-type driver seat adjustable in four directions. Conditioning system so large front and rear, to keep the passengers warm in winter and cool in summer.
Model M62D had a flat-glass windshields, flat steel 14 gauge, 16 gauge apron, exterior panels were 20 gauge and 22 gauge interior panels. The central emergency door was standard. Seat springs covered with cotton pads and covered with a layer of vinyl of 27 oz. Window Operator 2 leaves. Capacity from 24 to 72 pupils. Chevrolet Platform
Model M62S " Safeguard (Safeguard) was a pusher type curved windshield and rear engine . engine and transmission assemblies are fully Free service work. A backdoor provided full access in a crash. A door provided access to compartment on the right side of the engine. The transmission and engine maintenance were available through access located under the rear seat and rear couch. Capacity 61-73 pupils.
bus line M-3000 was manufactured during the late 1960's in 9 models. It was easy to adapt as much as regular school bus for sightseeing, intercity travel or city use. It had capacity of 33 to 91 seats, depending on the size of the platform, seat pitch, and location of emergency exits.
catalog Copies courtesy of Robert L. Smith 
catalog Copies courtesy of Robert L. Smith
styles had five seats and three types of windows.
catalog copy courtesy of Robert L. Smith
Other options were the location of the baggage that could be on the inside and / or under the floor, air conditioning through the cap or below the floor.
catalog copy courtesy of Robert L. Smith
In 1969, Ward introduced the use of seats with different colors according to the following announcement shows
By the early 1970s, buses Ward offered a variety of innovations in security, of which the most important was a high seat design cushioning. The seats were consist of steel frames covered with a minimum of 1 "thick polyurethane foam high density. These seats are offered in four combinations of colors. The same material paddings of high-density polyurethane was used in protection against impact and guardrails. A high impact plastic is used to protect the hood from the front. The same material was used in the main shell conditioning units. The greatest improvements in buses Ward 1972, was a redesign in the frame of the seats was to use additional structural materials and stiffer than those used in other frames. Basic changes in the design They provided additional areas for spot welding in the rear of the frame base. To facilitate this work the company built and installed a welding machine to make these points simultaneously. The frame was covered with a plastic epoxy extremely durable, electrostatically applied introduced in 1971, also used on the rails, heating ducts.
In 1973 Ward was the largest school bus manufacturer in the world, with 25% market share. In January of that year, Charles Ward and his brother Stephen Ward Coachette acquired Carl Graham, Texas businessman, and moved the production of buses going to the old type Surelite building. A second plant was opened in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, but ceased operation in 1975.
In 1976, Ward built a prototype type D bus for school and commercial traffic on a platform International Harvester with front wheel drive, but not entered production.
In 1979, Ward Industries filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11. William J. Clinton then Governor of Arkansas was the instrument for a business group to take over Ward Industries. In 1980, the company became American Transportation Corporation ( Amtran ).
The data presented and photographic material in this first part were taken from the network and some editions of the magazine School Bus Fleet provided by Robert L. Smith . Unless otherwise specified, the photos were published by the journal.
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José Ramírez Lozano
Monterrey, NL Mexico
José Ramírez Lozano
Monterrey, NL Mexico
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Retaining Wall Cost Estimator
Scania Marcopolo bus
Viaggi 1050 G6 used by Pulmitan Liberia, LB 1702.
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