Thomas Saf-T-Liner HDX

Thomas Saf-T-Liner
Thomas Saf-T-Liner HDX
Overview
Manufacturer	Thomas Built Buses (body and chassis)
Production	1978-present
Assembly	High Point, North Carolina
Body and chassis
Class	Type D (transit-style)
Layout	front-engine 4x2 rear-engine 4x2 rear-engine 6x2
Body style(s)	school bus
Powertrain
Engine(s)	Diesel Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
Transmission(s)	Automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	181–277 inches (4.6–7.0 m) (HDX)
Width	96 inches (2.4 m)
Curb weight	GVWR Up to 36,200 pounds (16,400 kg) (HDX)

This is about the Thomas Saf-T-Liner. For other uses see Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2.

The Thomas Saf-T-Liner is the name of the transit-style (Type D) school bus product line produced by Thomas Built Buses. Introduced in 1978, the Saf-T-Liner marked the transition to in-house chassis production by Thomas. In addition to school bus applications, variations of the Saf-T-Liner have been produced as activity buses, specialty vehicles, and commercial/transit buses. It can also be used to describe the Saf-T-Liner C2 or Saf-T-Liner FS-65, but they are not considered part of the Saf-T-Liner family.

Currently, all versions of the Saf-T-Liner model line are produced in High Point, North Carolina.

Prior to its reorganization as Thomas Built Buses in 1972, Thomas Car Works produced both front and rear-engined transit-style school buses to compete with other manufacturers. As was the common practice during the era, production of the chassis was outsourced to another manufacturer. Thomas offered its transit-style buses on a wide variety of chassis in comparison to other manufacturers (changing between Dodge, Ford, GMC, International Harvester, and Volvo). In contrast, Blue Bird, then the largest school bus manufacturer in the United States, manufactured its own chassis (as did West Coast manufacturer Gillig).

In 1978, coinciding with an updated body design necessitated by federal school bus safety regulations, Thomas became a chassis manufacturer with the launch of the Saf-T-Liner EF and ER (EF=Engine Front, ER=Engine Rear). For the first time, the Saf-T-Liner was produced on a Thomas-designed chassis.

In 2001, Thomas introduced its current generation of rear-engine bus with the debut of the Thomas Saf-T-Liner HD (HD=Heavy Duty); for 2004, the HD was re-branded as the HDX.

Serving as the replacement for the Saf-T-Liner ER and WestCoastER, the HD/HDX would use much of the same body, with the exception of the drivers' compartment forward. On the outside, the front roofcap was completely redesigned, fairing in the front warning lights; the "School Bus" lettering was changed to a reflective decal. In a move to increase visibility, the windshield was enlarged and reconfigured to a 2-piece curved configuration. A distinguishing feature of the redesign would be the design of the sideview mirrors. To improve forward sightlines, all three sets of sideview mirrors (flat, convex, and blind-spot crossview) were integrated into single roof-mounted units, eliminating a number of brackets.