This GM TDM 5103, serial 008 was part of a group of 37 TDM 5103s bought by Greyhound in 1951. Greyhound had originally ordered 75 TDM 5103s but the order was cancelled after only 37 were received. (The Calif. P.U.C. determined the buses were overweight thus prohibiting their use on California Highways. The 37 that Greyhound received to that point were “grandfathered” in and could continue to be operated in the state) As it turned out GM built only 37 TDM 5103s, all owned by Pacific Greyhound Lines. Affectionately known as “Queen Marys” or “Queens” for their large (53-passenger) carrying capacity. The PBM’s
K1407 was originally used in local service between San Diego and the border near Tijuana, Mexico. In later years it operated on Greyhound’s commute routes in the SF Bay area and soldiered on into the 1970s when Greyhound’s suburban routes were taken over by public agencies.
In 1994 the late Stephen Schwarzward found The K1407 in a storage yard in Southern California. The PBM acquired the bus in the same year in a trade and had it transported to Williams Calif. where it is stored today. The bus was acquired without seats. The seats and other parts from a sister TDM 5103 (K1420), which was scrapped, will be used to restore the K 1407.
Manufacturer: General Motors, Truck and Coach Division, Pontiac, MI
Model: TDM 5103, Serial # 008, Built 1951
Powertrain: 6-71 GM diesel engine transversely mounted in rear with a
4 speed mechanical transmission.
Body: Aluminum monocoque body
Seats: 53 passengers – Transit seating
Length 40 ft. – Width 102 in.
The #K1407 is currently stored in Williams, CA. The PBM hopes to restore this bus to its original Pacific Greyhound Lines paint scheme and have it in good operating condition. Mechanically, the #K1407 is in operable condition. Cosmetically the bus exterior needs complete body preparation before repainting. The interior needs several side panels replaced, and installation of the seats and some other interior parts. The interior needs a complete repainting. A set of roadworthy 11.00X 20 tires are also needed.
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 #K1407 on your contribution.
Click here to make a donation to the “Pacific Bus Museum” for this bus.