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RTS_04
Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 66
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:17 am Post subject: Neoplan Model Numbers? |
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Thought of this during the MBS Spring convention last weekend.
Is there a reliable way to find a model number from a U.S. Neoplan build plate?
I say this because during the weekend, I had a chance to inspect an ex-LACMTA tri-axle AN440 and a Queen City Metro AN440.
Between the two, buildplates were virtually identical - with no apparent 'model number' that one would normally find on a traditional GM-style plate.
Better yet was the line on both - "Vehicle Type: BUS." Understatement of the century, no?
I've also seen the 3-axle 'Plans as being called AN440/3s. Is this accurate as well?
I'm also curious as why LA had AN440s with both two- and three-axles. I know the 440/3s only had one door and the 440s two, but why the difference? |
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The Port of Authority
Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 118 Location: Hong Kong
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:32 am Post subject: |
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I'm no Neoplan expert, but I believe that the /3 designation refers to three axles.
Metroliners have three axles; their designation is AN-345/3.
Speaking of which, I always found it peculiar that Neoplan had a separate paint specification plate on all their buses. |
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RTS_04
Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 66
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:38 am Post subject: |
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The Port of Authority wrote: | I'm no Neoplan expert, but I believe that the /3 designation refers to three axles.
Metroliners have three axles; their designation is AN-345/3.
Speaking of which, I always found it peculiar that Neoplan had a separate paint specification plate on all their buses. | \
I saw a picture of an NJT AN-459 that had that, but I've not seen it on a Neoplan outside of that. Both the LACMTA and QCM buses I saw must have had theirs pulled off long ago. |
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The Port of Authority
Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 118 Location: Hong Kong
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 1:05 am Post subject: |
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I believe Bee-Line's AN-460s have the paint plate as well. |
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ripta42 Site Admin
Age: 45 Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 1035 Location: Pawtucket, RI / Woburn, MA
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 8:07 am Post subject: |
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Also, I've seen Neoplans noted on rosters as "AN-440A." What's the A for, air conditioning? |
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DE60LF
Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 142 Location: Albuquerque, NM
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 10:12 am Post subject: |
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ripta42 wrote: | Also, I've seen Neoplans noted on rosters as "AN-440A." What's the A for, air conditioning? |
I think that ABQ RIDE's Neoplans are AN440As. They are CNG powered, but I don't know if the "A" actually means that. |
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ripta42 Site Admin
Age: 45 Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 1035 Location: Pawtucket, RI / Woburn, MA
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 11:07 am Post subject: |
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It definitely isn't that, because RIPTA's AN-440As were diesel-powered. |
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tovinman
Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 24
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Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:28 pm Post subject: |
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AN referred to "American". Identical models built in Germany used the prefix "N" by itself. |
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