Shuttle at Dulles Intl Airport at Washington D.C.

[herbergreen]

Chrysler (mobile lounges) were 1st generation delivered from 1962 (fleet of 21). Could not be raised to 747 height. Budd (planemates) were 2nd generation delivered from 1970 (fleet off 12 new, 3 or so others acquired later). According to a driver I asked many years ago, each stack contains a jackscrew(worm gear) to raise or lower the vehicle. Later Budd planemates (approx 6 or so at Dulles) were lifted strictly by hydraulics and thus do not have the stacks. Smell is burned diesel fuel.

[Starwarsfanatiker]

somertimes they have a sort of chimney on the top...

I think they smell good to.

[migkiller001]

@Starwarsfanatiker These aren't chimneys. It is part of the system that helps to raise and lower the passenger compartment to allow for adjustment.

[Wh0rse]

what are these vehicles called? Who makes them?

[gadget445]

@Wh0rse I believe they are called "Mobile Lounges" at least that seems to be the term.... no clue who makes them....

[migkiller001]

@gadget445 They were made my Chrysler Corporation and Budd Company for Dulles when it first opened. They exist elsewhere, but are a rare sight.

[gadget445]

@migkiller001 thanks, I saw them at jfk while eating and waiting for my flight

[migkiller001]

@gadget445 Yeah. Some airports use them to shuttle passengers to planes out on hardstands-away from jet bridges. Also, airports often seperate their international departure and arrival centers and may use them to shuttle people to and from these areas. This is still being done at Dulles, but the mobile lounges are scarce now as the Aerotrain is now in operation.

[pete5668]

i hear those are really stinky.

[golds079]

bull shit, i think that you a liitele stinkey are, i have for 9 days have been in this "bus" and the smell good, so i think that you are the probleem been

[pete5668]

You spent 9 days in that bus? no wonder you don't notice the smell :)

[luminialbastre]

:)))

[luminialbastre]

yeh :))))

[jimmyp42002]

ah yes, the good old "stilt" buses. I love those things because you can ride them for hours waiting for your flight, and the side to side forces the buses exert on you in corners is fun :)