PBM coach #126, GM TDH 5103-559, was originally delivered new in 1951 to the Pacific Electric in Los Angeles, CA as #2857. Painted in a striking silver and red swoop scheme and adorned with anodized aluminum trim below the windows the 2800 series were last word in bus travel when new. Antelope Valley Bus Lines in Lancaster, CA acquired the bus in the late 1960’s for their transit operations in the Lancaster-Palmdale area. The bus was renumbered #126 and painted a metallic green over part of the two-tone green and white paint scheme of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority, successor to the Pacific Electric.
Former PBM Secretary, the late Stephen Schwarzwald, acquired the bus from Antelope Valley Bus Lines in 1975. Stephen donated the bus to the PBM in 1992.
Manufacturer: General Motors, Truck and Coach Division, Pontiac, MI
Model: TDH 5103, Serial # 559, Built 1951
Powertrain: 6-71 GM diesel engine transversely mounted in rear
with 2 speed Hydromatic transmission.
Body: Aluminum monocoque body
Seats: 51 passengers – Transit seating
Length 40 ft. – Width 102 in.
The #126 is currently stored in Williams, CA. It is complete and operable. The PBM hopes to restore this bus to its original Pacific Electric silver and red swoop paint scheme and have it in good operating condition. Mechanically, the #126 needs an engine overhaul and its fuel tank cleaned out. Cosmetically the bus needs repairs to the damaged right rear corner along with replacement of some of the window glass and complete body preparation before repainting. Sections of the interior also need repainting.
Support the PBM’s bus preservation efforts. Join the museum’s Adopt-A-Bus program. Adopt this bus or any PBM bus of your choice by contributing to a special fund account reserved for maintenance and or restoration of each bus. All of the PBM’s buses have their own special accounts and all funds donated to a particular account will be used only for that bus.
To donate to the Special Funds account for this bus indicate Antelope #126 on your contribution.
Click here to make a donation to the “Pacific Bus Museum” for this bus.