CUMMINS NHHTC250/270 855D-SERIES GILLIGS
Powered by the Cummins Diesel model NHHTC-250/NHHTC270 engine, the 855D was one of Gillig's most-popular models sold in a mid-ship engine configuration. Not only was it by far the largest engine ever offered in a Gillig (as typically these engines were used in Class-8 heavy-haul trucks), these engines were also by far the most powerful. It was not uncommon as well, for these engines to be equipped with 10-speed Fuller RoadRanger RT-910 10-speed transmissions, to aid in greater engine power band and horsepower distribution. It was also not uncommon for many of these models to be equipped with tandem rear-axle configuration.
SHASTA COLLEGE BUS NO. 7 - CALIFORNIA STATE - NEW
This is one of the most beautiful 1977 Gillig Transit Coaches ever built. It was built in this configuration to serve Shasta College and in its retirement, it is a wonderful display of craftsmanship. Currently, the bus is owned by the Pacific Bus Museum out of Fremont, California. Photos by Deven Weber and Steve Souza, who graciously allowed them to be showcased here.
In October, 2018, this bus was showcased, among other excellent Gillig buses, at a "Ride and Drive" event in Fresno, California.
SHELTON SCHOOL DISTRICT BUS NO. 1-25 - WASHINGTON STATE
This 1977 Gillig , serial number E-3829, was one of two tandem-axle Gilligs formerly owned by the Shelton School District in Washington State (its identical twin, #1-19, was sequentially numbered E-3828). It was equipped with a Cummins NHHTC-250 and a Fuller Roadranger RT-910 10-speed transmission. Fully loaded in a 3x3 seating configuration, this bus had a 97 passenger capacity. In August 1998 this bus was retired and purchased by yours truly, with the intent to fully restore the bus. A partial restoration had been done on the bus before a move forced the bus into storage in late 2000. After several years, the project was abandoned and the bus eventually made its way to a local wrecking yard. After an unsuccessful attempt to repurchase the bus and complete the restoration, the bus was unfortunately scrapped in late 2009.
CAMPBELL UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BUSES NO. 14, 15, and 16 - CALIFORNIA STATE
These buses were originally part of Campbell Union High School District's bus fleet, and were retired in 2006. These images are from the internet auction website eBay, and the respective listings these buses were in. They were all sister buses.
Bus 14 is a 1978 Gillig 855D-13 78-passenger capacity Gillig. Serial number E-5096, equipped with a Fuller RT905 5-speed manual transmission, dual air brakes, and had 185,757 miles on it.
Bus 15's serial number was E-5096, and was identically equipped, and had 178,770 miles.
Bus 16's serial was E-5098, and had 198,303 miles
SONORA UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BUS NO. 29 - CALIFORNIA STATE
This Gillig is a 1977 Gillig 855DT-15 manufactured on August 17, 1977. Its serial number is E-4284 and it is equipped with a Cummins NHHTC270 diesel engine, a Fuller RT910 10-speed transmission, and a Williams Exhaust brake. More about this Gillig can be seen by clicking on the Sonora Bus 29 Chassis Component Parts Record PDF file in the Downloads section. In 2007, this bus was sold and became Calvary Church No. 3 in Los Gatos, California. It is still alive to this day.
WASHINGTON STATE UNSPECIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BUS NO. 253 - WASHINGTON STATE
This bus is a late '70s, early '80s Gillig formerly owned by an unidentified school district in Washington State (yet the number of black-out patches likely indicates a former Central Kitsap School District unit). It is pictured here at the Stokes Auction location in Port Orchard, Washington waiting for its new owner.
CABRILLO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BUS NO. 11 - CALIFORNIA STATE
This bus is a 1973 855D-series Gillig, serial number E-1357. It was owned by Cabrillo Unified School District in California and was equipped with a Cummins NHH250 and an Eaton/Fuller RT905A 5-speed manual transmission. Other features included PerLux Fog Lamps, Williams Engine Exhaust brake, single air brake system and a 100-gallon fuel tank (Photo provided by Trina Falk)
IDAHO TRANSIT GILLIG - IDAHO STATE
This Gillig was built along with five others as part of a State of Idaho Department of Energy contract in 1972 originally placed into service at the National Experimental Laboratories 50 miles west of Post Falls, Idaho, this Gillig was used as personnel transport until it was sold with another Gillig at a surplus auction.
It was later purchased with the intentions of converting it, but the new owner fell ill and had to give up his project. It ended up going back into service as a firefighter transport bus shuttling troops back and forth from the firehouse to the staging areas if needed. It was later sold again, and again the intentions were to convert it into an RV.
After its subsequent purchase, the new owners destroyed the engine without having any firsthand knowledge of how to run a diesel engine. An intake valve broke as a result, and tne engine subsequently received an extensive overhaul. Afterwards, the conversion work began, first by removing the large AC unit at the back of the bus and by removing the interior. Afterwards, spray foam was applied to most of the inside, new panelling installed, and conversion work continued.
This bus is 40 foot long, has over 660,000 miles on it, and is equipped with a Cummins NHH250 and a five-speed manual transmission. (Information provided by Aaron Gold)
IDAHO STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY - IDAHO STATE
The photos of this Gillig, built along with eleven others and as part of the five as part of the Department of Energy contract with Idaho, was submitted in photograph form several years ago. It was powered with a Cummins NHH220 and a Spicer 5-speed manual transmission. At last word, this Gillig was, albeit unforutnately, being converted to an RV. It is unknown whether or not this Gillig, or the 10 others built along with it, still exist. (Photos added November 20, 2006)
IMAGES FROM TRADER ONLINE
BUS 1-20 and Bus 52 - BOTH IDENTICALLY EQUIPPED WITH NHHTC290 ENGINES.
EL DORADO UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BUS NO. 27 - CALIFORNIA STATE
There's not much information about this exceptionally beautiful tandem-axle Gillig, except that it is operated by El Dorado Union High School District in California. These photos were submitted by GilligCoaches.NET visitor and Gillig fan Ryan Callister.
HAMILTON UNION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT BUS NO. 4 - CALIFORNIA STATE
This 1977 Gillig, formerly operated by Hamilton Union Elementary School District in California, was retired within the last two years, and these photos showed up on an eBay auction listing. It is an 855DT-11 model, and is a single-axle unit. Not much else is known about this bus, including its current whereabouts.
