BusTalk

pitpup

I love to custom build model buses and several years ago, I chopped up a TDH-4512 into a 'freelance' old look transit bus. Well, today I was going thru all 392 pics of old looks at the galleries and found not one, but TWO pics of my 'freelanced' old look. While I have completed others, I never did finish this one. Now that I see there actual models of my incomplete bus, I am more motived than ever to complete it. I know my GMC Old Looks, pretty good (NOW) but I have checked sites like omot.org and others and can't find out the model number of this bus. Even at the galleries, it states 'UNKNOWN'.

Note the two paired windows followed by the single window in front of the door... I've seen 3612/3714 models with three paired windows but two paired with the single is very unusual. Here are links to the pics!

http://gallery.bustalk.info/displayimage.php?album=71&pos=0
http://gallery.bustalk.info/displayimage.php?album=62&pos=1

Somebody has got to know what this is. I'm guessing it's a 28 footer. Can anyone provide me with the TGH/TDH model number of this puppy? I'm going nuts!

Thank you in advance,

Stan

timecruncher · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 4:24 pm Post subject:

Stan - that is one I had never seen before either. I'd guess that it is a diesel model, post 1949 due to the paired windows, but darned if I recognize the model. It is slightly smaller than the 3612 model.

Ah -- here it is! The OMOT site shows it as model TDH3209. An outfit up in Conneticut has one in their "movie" fleet. A couple of photos are at the link below.

http://www.doublea.com/c120.htm

Looks as if it is serial 3209-0045 of only a handful actually built. They label the photo as a "3809" but the model/serial is correct as 3209.

Who'd a thunk it?

timecruncher

pitpup · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:16 am Post subject:

Wow. The answer was so obvious it wasn't funny. I've been to Double A's website and saw the C120. If I had checked the TDH-3209 table closer, I could have figured this out on my own.

But yes! You nailed it!! Even though they ran just the 80 units, I'm still going to crank one out in HO Scale because it's pretty easy to do from the American Precision Models starting point of their TDH-4512.

Thanks again, Eagle Eye!

Stan

roymanning2000 · Age: 77 Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 198

Stan,

When you're finished, post a picture here. This is something I thought about myself but can't get up the nerve to do it.

Note that the 3209 has only two windows (or a double window) behind the emergency door/exit door area. Removing a window over that rear wheelwell is the big thing that's scared me off so far.

Roy

pitpup · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:23 pm Post subject:

Hey Roy,

Just remember! A Dremel Tool is your best friend. I will be happy to post pics of a finished 3209, but it may be a while due to other projects. Here's a little something to help motivate you ( I hope!)...

This is what I start with. I have about 5 of these left. APM TDH-4510. Out of production since 2002, I believe...

This is what I am going for. I single door TGH-3102. Plenty of them on the web for reference!

Be careful with that Dremel! The 3209 won't be nearly this radical, but I do need to address the double window after the door.

The sides before final sanding...

The 3/4 view before final sanding...

No mods to the rear. The front of my 3102 has been shaved. Can you spot the differences?

Here's the 'freelanced' Old Look that I completed but will be phasing out soon. I show you this so you can see how I handle the 'solid windows'. I never sell the masters. I use RTV Silicone to create a mold and then crank out solid resin blanks...

So all I can say is stay tuned. I'll be more than happy to post up TDH-3209 photos. I'll try and do a better job with the photos throughout the process. It's really kinda fun once you get started. The key is to 'get started', LOL.

Have a great night!

Stan

HwyHaulier · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 932 Location: Harford County, MD

ripta42 · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:20 pm Post subject:

Wow! How about doing a 3502 with quad headlamps Smile

.

Vern - PSCT had 38 TDH3209s (C100-C137) and another 25 TDM3209s (C200-C224). That's out of 53 TDHes and 27 TDMs built, all in 1949.

pitpup · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 5:29 pm Post subject:

OK, Roy. Found some free time to help you get some courage, my friend!

Here is the 'accidental' 3209 I started about 2001. Remember I knew nothing of GM's numbering and did virtually no research. I just hacked away to come up with a 'cute bus' because I'd seen shorty GMCs before.

You'll notice that when I glued the 3 pieces together with CA, each section drops down 1-2 scale inches below the previous. D'OH! I reconstructed the rear wheel well. I did so quickly and poorly. I'm thinking of scrapping this project in mid stream and do a 'Z' cut in the back to preserve the original wheel wells??

The 3612/3714 and the 3209 all need the modified rear end. Let's have some fun with this and look at the starting point for these three buses:

Now we attack the front end!

And with some sanding and a little patience?

And! If you're feeling froggy and want to do the big boys and you're willing to cut up two 4512s to make one 5105 (5101-5106) and you don't mind repositioning the rear wheel well further back (UGH)...

I could re-employ my 'first 3209' to get the extra double window section needed for a 5105 so I wouldn't have to use TWO buses.

Things that make you go 'Hmmm'...

pitpup · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 5:32 pm Post subject:

Dieseljim

That model of the TGH3101/02 reminds me of old No. 18, owned by Chester W. Hirsch, which was the very first bus I ever rode on and that was going to and from school starting in fall, 1959. This model bus was popular among some school districts for use as school buses and No. 18, which had serial number 035, was no exception. It had a much better ride than the conventional schoolies I got stuck with after it was sold off and one of those, interestingly, was a Brockway.

HwyHaulier · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 932 Location: Harford County, MD

Stan -

ripta42 remarked on the 3502 types. The "quad" style lamps came later, so as to push the timeline out about a decade from your own
period of interest...

Okay. Your work on the model you illustrated early up here, the older square window item: You have a photo for the finished product?
I can imagine how the project quickly went into the, "...nothing is ever easy as it looks..." category.

I've truly enjoyed seeing your TDH-5105 work! Surely was one dominating design, when that one was in its glory! The real thing rewrote
the textbooks used by the in the business pros! For the most part, it replaced most of the remaining trolley coach, and PCC rail car
operations everywhere...

....................Vern................

roymanning2000 · Age: 77 Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 198

Stan,

Wow, what great modeling work. Never thought you could convert the APM bus to a 3102. And you've covered the whole GM catalog.

Okay, consider me inspired. I've got a few "honey-do's" to get out of the way and then, I'll get started. I hope I can do half as good as you.

Stan, you ought to consider submitting an article to one of the model railroad magazines. They've had some good vehicle modeling articles in recent years but, not one that concentrates on kitbashing buses.

Also, are you a member of any of the bus modeling lists on Yahoo Groups? There are people there who would really enjoy seeing your work.

By the way, the Walthers/CMW TDH-3610 is supposed to be available later this year. By adding or subtracting a window, you can end up with a TDH-4008 or a TDH-3207. Just seems to need square cuts. A klutz like me can even do that.

Again, Stan, thanks for posting those great photos.

Roy

pitpup · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:39 pm Post subject:

pitpup · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:00 pm Post subject:

pitpup · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:47 pm Post subject:

And Hey! Let's not forget about the little bus that could! If you take the 3102 and cut out a row, you get the 'mighty, mighty' 2708. Using my 3102 and photochopping, you get one sweet Old Look!

Guess I should stop screwing around up here and get back on the projects... Razz