Thomas Built Buses FS-65: Difference between revisions

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The '''[[Thomas Built Buses]] FS-65''' was a Type C school bus and was also offered in commercial or activity variants. 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>


Using the same [[Thomas Built Buses Conventional|Conevntional]] body Thomas had built on a variety of chassis, Thomas first built on the [[Freightliner Custom Chassis|Freightliner]] [[Freightliner Custom Chassis FS-65|FS-65]] in 1995. The whole product became known as the FS-65 soon after 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>


==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>

Revision as of 17:47, 25 September 2018

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

Operators

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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