110401 The last day in Red Bay

The morning started with a trip to the Red Bay plant where the Bus was just out of the "final finish" bay. A worker was busy replacing the HD antenna on the roof, after having replaced the DVD player. Once this was completed, a driver took the coach out for a road test. I was there and was asked to accompany him. The coach handled like a dream and rode quietly with no rattles or squeaks (wonderful!). When we returned, the driver said: "you got a good one here!" As you can imagine, I am very pleased.

From there, the coach went to the tile area to have all the grout inspected and touched up and to have the tile cleaned. during that process, I took the opportunity to go to the chassis shop where the Powerglide chassis is built. The workers, like everywhere else in the plant, were great and filled me in on all the details. I got some pictures of a 40' chassis in the build stage and they are posted on the Picasa Web album.

The huck (sp) bolt system used to build the chassis is amazing - both quick and virtually indestructible. The only way to get them off is with a cutting torch. The workers attached the rear axle and the front suspension, then the Cummins ISL 450 engine was installed. At that point I left to return to our coach by way of the cabinet shop, where all the interior cabinets are constructed. A few pictures of this are also included on the Picasa Web album.

When I reached the coach, the tile had been completed and it was ready to be returned to Belmont for the last run through the paint shop for final touch-up, and final finish where all remaining accessories will be added. At quitting time, the coach had just been washed and was in the queue to begin the final phase. That will happen on Monday and perhaps Tuesday. Then final inspection will occur and the coach will go to service to have a couple of additions made. We expect that it will leave Red Bay for Jacksonville either Thursday or Friday of next week. We are scheduled to pick it up on Monday, April 11. CAN'T WAIT!!!

We depart Red Bay in the morning (Saturday). I hope you have enjoyed the adventure, we certainly have. Cheers! John, Suz and Dixie the Wonderdog.