Step back in Time with Pierce Transit

Pierce Transit is the proud owner of a 1948, 40-passenger Fageol 41-S Twin Coach Bus. Affectionately known as “the Twin” because of its twin engines designed to accommodate higher passenger loads, this historical gem makes appearances around Pierce County during summer months.

The 1948 bus features an all-aluminum body, and is powered by a six-cylinder mid-mounted gasoline motor with a two-speed automatic transmission. Pierce Transit’s modern buses are 40,000 pounds compared to the Twin Coach, which weighs only about 20,000 pounds.

The bus was manufactured by Frank and William Fageol, who established the Twin Coach company in 1927. Pierce Transit’s Twin is from the last model year built in 1948.

The bus was restored in a two-step process over a number of years. Tacoma Transit started the restoration more than two decades ago. The initial restoration got the vehicle running in the 1980s. In 2005, Pierce Transit began a full restoration. Parts were gathered from two buses acquired by Pierce Transit: one donated by the Bremerton Naval shipyard and another, nicknamed “The Ugly Twin,” from California.

Pierce Transit Equipment Body Repairer Bob Soden and other maintenance team members installed new wiring, rebuilt the motor and transmission, built any aluminum side panels that could not be ordered, and reupholstered the seats with faux leather to give a vintage look. It was then painted yellow-gold and dark green.

All restoration and repair was performed by employees in their spare time while there weren’t other tasks to complete.

Follow Pierce Transit on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for news on the 2948 Fageol Twin Coach’s upcoming events.

Twin tidbits:

Twins served the Tacoma community for about 35 years.
In the early 1950s, Tacoma Transit operated 111 Twin Coaches.
The Twins began to be phased out in the early 1980s.
The last Twins were sold in 1982. As the Twin aged, parts became more difficult to obtain.
The Twins had a steel frame, all-aluminum body, all-leather upholstery, and “Torsilastic” suspension in place of ordinary springs.
This coach has logged more than 2,000,000 miles!

Trip Planner Help

Trip Planner Tips - Entering Locations

To create a trip plan you need to enter both a starting location (origin) and an ending location (destination). For information about stops, schedules, or service at a specific location, you only need to enter one location.

The Trip Planner recognizes most street intersections and addresses as well as many landmarks in Pierce, King, and Snohomish Counties. If what you entered is not immediately recognized, the Trip Planner will offer you a list of options. You can choose one of the options, but if your intended location is not there, select the "Revise Original Entries" link to return to the entry page and change the entries you have already made.

Addresses

You don't need to type in the city along with the address. The Trip Planner shows the possible city names as options if needed. City names are based on zip codes.
You don't need to type in St., Street, Ave., or Avenue, or similar street types. The Trip Planner shows the possible alternatives as options if needed. (Example: type 110 Jones instead of 110 Jones Boulevard.)
You don't need to type in the directional designations for streets, but if a direction name is part of a street name, you should include it. (Example: type 1000 Main instead of 1000 S Main. But type 1000 West Viewmont for 1000 West Viewmont Way W.)
Some streets and addresses are unknown to the Trip Planner. You may need to enter another nearby location, such as an intersection or a landmark.
You should not enter the suite number or apartment number. Just the house number and street name (Example: type in 401 Broadway instead of 401 Broadway Avenue Suite 800).

Intersections

The "&" symbol is the only character used between two street names to show an intersection. (Examples: 1st & B, James & Madison)
You don't need to type in the city. The Trip Planner shows the possible city names as options if needed. City names are based on zip codes.
You don't need to type in St., Street, Ave., or Avenue, or similar street types. The Trip Planner shows the possible alternatives as options if needed. (Example: type Conifer & Jones instead of Conifer Circle & Jones Boulevard.)
You don't need to type in the directional designations for streets, but if a direction name is part of a street name, you should include it. (Example: type 3rd & Main instead of 3rd S & S Main. But type 34th & West Viewmont for 34th W & West Viewmont Way W.)
Some streets are unknown to the Trip Planner. You may need to enter another nearby intersection or a landmark.

Landmarks

Government Sites: Pierce County Health Dept, Pierce Co Sheriffs Office, Tacoma City Hall

Major Commercial Sites: Tacoma Mall, Sheraton Hotel

Transportation Facilities: Sea-Tac Airport, Greyhound Bus Depot

Schools & Colleges: Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma Community College

Sports & Leisure: Cheney Stadium, Pt Defiance Zoo

Medical Facilities: Group Health, Tacoma General Hospital