BusTalk

RTS_04 · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 66

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?

The Port of Authority · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 118 Location: Hong Kong

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.

RTS_04 · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 66

The Port of Authority · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 118 Location: Hong Kong

I believe Bee-Line's AN-460s have the paint plate as well.

ripta42 · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 8:07 am Post subject:

Also, I've seen Neoplans noted on rosters as "AN-440A." What's the A for, air conditioning?

DE60LF · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 142 Location: Albuquerque, NM

ripta42 · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 11:07 am Post subject:

It definitely isn't that, because RIPTA's AN-440As were diesel-powered.

tovinman · Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 24

AN referred to "American". Identical models built in Germany used the prefix "N" by itself.