In February 2003, a few operators from Ross division organized a fantrip to commemorate the upcoming retirement of the last of the Neoplan "Pennliner" series bus.

The trip began at the Perrysville Ave. Park N Ride, and went to various spots along the area. It is a fitting tribute to a fine bus that lasted a LOT longer than most ever dreamed... 2 long decades of service!

Operator Ken Laughlin was the lucky operator for the day!

Lets re-live the trip!

We begin the trip here at the Park N Ride. About a dozen or so bus fans showed for the event, on a cold morning.

After a brief stop at Ross Garage, the trip continued to Millvale Loop. This is the RTE# 1F. This is one of 2 terminal points for this run.

Next we arrive at Troy Hill Loop, on the 6A run. This loop, as many others were, was at one time a trolley loop.

Off to Spring Garden Loop, on the 6C route.

Then onto the 11E Fineview run, which has some of the worst hills and turns anywhere on a route. Pittsburgh sits in the background. Notice the 21 Fineview card in the window, brings back memories of the old 21 trolley!

My favorite shot of the bus sitting on the upper road by Channel 11 on the Fineview Route. Now we'll head off to Manchester shops.

This is a view that I am sure that is buried in a picture vault, but 20 years earlier, when she was new. We await the time to leave the Manchester Shops.

Here is 1602 along with her younger sister, Neoplan LF 5047 at the Wilkinsburg Station on the East Busway. The Low Floor just celebrated her 4th birthday! Low Tech vs High Tech...

That concludes the fantrip on 1602. Special thanks go out to the Port Authority for allowing this event, the Ross superintendents and maintenance department for making sure the coach was clean, and the operators who drove the trip and handled the details.

Special thanks also go out to Matt Witkowski for the use of his photos on this page.