stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Buses
Apr 28, 2006 6:09:26 GMT 1
Post by stanhas87 on Apr 28, 2006 6:09:26 GMT 1
Dear Sirs: Another of my 'walkings' on the Internet uncovered what is called the largest Trolley museum in the USA - Saeshore Trolley Museum,in Maine - which also has a considerable collection of buses.List below: Seashore Trolley Museum Buses . Number City/Operator Year Builder Description Acquired (Ford) 1946 Ford Rear engine gas bus 1992 Natick, MA 1924 Graham Dodge Front engine gas bus 1975 New Jersey Yellow Coach Model 733 1999 Hampton, VA 1959 Mack Model C47-DT 2004 A-60 Red Star Way, Inc. 1935 Twin Coach Intercity Model 23S front engine bus 1995 K-514 Public Service New Jersey 1956 General Motors Model TDM-4512 diesel bus 1999 RTL-1628 London, United Kingdom 1949 Leyland Double-deck front engine diesel bus 1990 31 Biddeford & Saco Bus Lines 1947 ACF Brill C-36 underfloor engine gas bus 1977 42 Willimsport, PA 1934 Yellow Coach Model 717 rear longitud engine bus 1996 87 Surface Transportation Corp. New York, NY 1942 Mack Rear engine diesel-electric bus 1985 107 Manchester, NH 1974 General Motors Model T6H-4523A 2005 111 Fitchburg & Leominster St. Ry. 1952 General Motors Model TDM-4509 rear engine diesel 2000 116 Mass. Northeastern St. Ry. 1929 American Car & Foundry Co. P-85 front engine bus 1969 192 Middlesex & Boston St. Ry. 1948 ACF Brill C-36 underfloor gas bus 1989 478 Eastern Mass. St. Ry. 1934 American Car & Foundry Co. H-9-S underfloor engine gas bus 1962 504 Portland, ME 1950 General Motors Corp. Model TDH-5103 rear engine diesel 1978 523 Eastern Mass. St. Ry. 1934 Twin Coach Model 40 duel engine gas bus 1989 627 Brantford, Ontario 1962 General Motors TGH-3102 rear engine gas bus 1990 702 Union Street Bus Co. 1961 General Motors TDH-5302 "New Look" rear engine 2001 733 Lincoln, NE 1937 Yellow Coach Model 733 gas bus 1998 784 Boston & Maine Trans. Co. 1949 General Motors PDA-3703 Intercity diesel bus 1999 788 MTA - Boston, MA 1947 Mack Rear engine gas bus 1987 964 BERy. - Boston, MA 1932 Twin Coach Model 40 duel engine gas bus 1987 964 Duke Power Co. 1958 General Motors TGH-3102 rear engine gas bus 2000 973 Duke Power Co. 1958 General Motors TGH-3102 rear engine gas bus 2000 1508 BERy. - Boston, MA 1946 White Motors Model 788 underfloor engine gas bus 1987 1917 Milwaukee, WI 1963 General Motors Model TDH-5303 bus 2004 2824 Boston, MA 1948 White Motors Model 788 underfloor engine gas bus 1968 2918 Boston, MA 1951 White Motors Model 1144 gas bus w/left had door 1990 3524 Eastern Mass. St. Ry. 1961 General Motors Corp. TDH-5302 "New Look" rear engine 1982 6069 MBTA - Boston, MA 1966 General Motors Corp. TDH-5303 "New Look" rear engine 2000 6169 MBTA - Boston, MA 1967 General Motors Corp. TDH-5303 "New Look" rear engine 1995 7217 Providence, RI 1947 Twin Coach Underfloor engine gas bus 1983 7529 WMATA - Washington D.C. 1974 AM General Model 9635 2004 7804 CATA - Gloucester, MA 1979 GMC TW7603 RTS Slant-back 2001 9138 MBTA - Boston, MA 1982 Flyer Industries D901 diesel bus 1996 9170 MBTA - Boston, MA 1982 Flyer Industries D901 diesel bus 2003 Source: www.trolleymuseum.org/index.html
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Buses
Apr 28, 2006 6:14:24 GMT 1
Post by stanhas87 on Apr 28, 2006 6:14:24 GMT 1
Dear Sirs: Another site gives info what happened with the buses of Baltimore.List below: This section is intended to be a compilation showing a comprehive list all ALL surviving Baltimore Transit Vehicles in existence today. Please note that this list also includes vehicles that may survive, albeit converted to other uses, or rotting away in a field. I've tried my best to ensure the accuracy of this list, but if you notice any discrepancies, please contact me through E-mail. Trackless Trolleys - Trolleybuses: Fleet Number: Description: Built: Retired: Location: Condition: 2078 Pullman-Standard Trackless Trolley 1940 1957 BSM - Off Property Awaiting Restoration 4801 Brill Trackless Trolley 1924 1931 Reportedly Survives where Car #4802 was found. Unknown 4802 Brill Trackless Trolley 1924 1931 BSM - Off Property Body Only 4803 Brill Trackless Trolley 1924 1931 Reportedly Survives where Car #4802 was found. Unknown Buses: Fleet Number: Description: Built: Retired: Location / Owner: Condition: 12 Jitney Bus (Brill Body, White? Chassis) 1917 1929?? Wash. D.C. - Smithsonian Static Display 1096 GM TD-4506 (Old Look) 1945 1970 BSM Collection Restored 1296 Ford 79B 1947 1949 BSM Collection Cosmetically Restored, Operational 1426 GM TDH-4507 (Old Look) 1947 1971 Baltimore - K. Mueller Restored 1909 GM TDH-5105 (Old Look) 1957 1975 Baltimore - C. Neal Restored 1912 GM TDH-5105 (Old Look) 1957 1975 Wash. D.C. - Metrobus Restored (Metrobus) 1949 GM TDH-5105 (Old Look) 1959 1980 Wash. State - L. Bagley In Restoration 1962 GM TDH-5303 (New Look) 1963 1982? BSM Collection In Restoration 2035 GM TDH-5303 (New Look) 1963 1984? Baltimore - MTA Classroom Bus 2564 GM TDH-5306 (New Look) 1971 1989 Baltimore - Belcamp Intended To be Restored 2611 GM TDH-5306 (New Look) 1971 1984 Unknown - was in Linthicum Fate Unknown 2702 GM TDH-5306 (New Look) 1971 1989 Baltimore - Belcamp Intended To be Restored 2704 GM TDH-5306 (New Look) 1971 1991 Baltimore - C. Neal Fate Undecided - May be Scrapped 2905 GM TDH-5308 (New Look) 1974 1988 California - L. Joplin Restored 2944 GM TDH-5308 (New Look) 1974 1987 Baltimore - MTA Holiday Bus - Retired 3083 Flx. 53096-8-1 (New Look) 1975 1992 Annapolis - DNR Mobile Command Post, Unseen for 5 years. 3336 GM TDH-803 (RTS-II) 1978 1990 Baltimore - MTA Rodeo Bus, Rarely Used 3366 GM TDH-803 (RTS-II) 1980 1990 Ocean City, MD Retired but Reportedly saved by an OC Operator. 3389 GM TDH-803 (RTS-II) 1980 1990 Ocean City, MD Reportedly Dead, Scrapped 3514 Grumman 870 1982 1995 Baltimore Police Apparently No Longer in Use 3517 Grumman 870 1982 1995 Baltimore - MTA Mobile Command Post 3518 Grumman 870 1982 1997 Lake Shore VFD In Use 3528 Grumman 870 1982 1994 Balto. County Police Mobile Unit SCRAPPED 3536 Grumman 870 1982 1995 Carroll County Career & Technology Center Mobile Classroom 3548 Grumman 870 1982 1999 Baltimore - MTA Training Bus, Apparently No Longer in Use 3559 Grumman 870 1982 1994 Baltimore - Morgan State Retired - Currently in Edgewood, MD 3570 Grumman 870 1982 1994 Baltimore - Morgan State Retired 3580 Grumman 870 1982 1994 Baltimore - Morgan State Retired 8372 Flxible 40102 (Metro) 1983 1998 Riviera Beach VFD In Use 8374 Flxible 40102 (Metro) 1983 1997 Maryland State Police In Use 8381 Flxible ABR (Demo) 1974 1984 Ohio Museum of Transportation In Restoration (as SORTA coach) 8444 Flxible 40102 (Metro) 1984 1997 Motor Vehicle Admin. "MVA on Wheels" 8581 Flxible 30096 (Metro (short)) 1984 1999 Cecil County, MD In Use, Mobile Command Post 9301-9304 Flxible Metro LNG 1993 1995 Montgomery Co. Ride-On Being repowered for continued use. Finally Active Source: www.btco.net/Relics/surveqpt.htm
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Buses
Nov 22, 2006 2:02:08 GMT 1
Post by stanhas87 on Nov 22, 2006 2:02:08 GMT 1
Dear All:
LACMTA gained APTA's recognition of the best Transit System in the Country (APTA = Americat Public Transportation Association).
It wants to develop a 86 mile LRV system.It is interesting to notice that in the 1970's and part of the 1980's,most lamanted the passing of PE's Big Red Cars,one the major trolley Systems that were the main Public Transport of Los Angeles. On a book published in the early 1980's,Trains,Past,Present and Future,its Author,who would became the Publisher of Jane's World Railways,staed that the mode of Transportation in Los Angeles will suffer deep changes.He was so right.
The TV screen aboard the buses also show a street map where a Little Bus Navigates at and shows where one is.
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Lee
Senior Member
Posts: 1,899
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Buses
Dec 1, 2006 20:33:41 GMT 1
Post by Lee on Dec 1, 2006 20:33:41 GMT 1
Since we are doing buses and I love taking pictures...................... This is a City of Glendale local transportation propane powered bus with a bike rack in the front. The bus system is called the Bee Line. Note the destination sign. ;D
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Buses
Dec 2, 2006 1:46:25 GMT 1
Post by stanhas87 on Dec 2, 2006 1:46:25 GMT 1
Dear Lee:
And of course,this is a nice picture of a Flyer Bus.
Nick K
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Buses
Dec 4, 2006 0:45:57 GMT 1
Post by swampdaddy on Dec 4, 2006 0:45:57 GMT 1
Nick K & Others: Though I don't have a total list, the Illinois Railway Museum, will rival Seashore; and, it may have more buses. It certainly has more trolleybuses by far. And, sometime every year they have a "drive-in" where private parties drive their buses in for week long show. They also have a loop of trolleybus overhead to go with the streetcar overhead and the run the trolleybuses in the summer season.
My computer is busy doing other things and I can barely get the message board pages to open; perhaps another night I'll reply at length.
Swamp Daddy
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Buses
Jan 15, 2007 8:34:09 GMT 1
Post by stanhas87 on Jan 15, 2007 8:34:09 GMT 1
Dear All:
I moved to this thread in order to supplemet a discussion of which buses should see the light in 1/87 scale. Hence, if I mention the buses from the former SCRTD,that will include the GM old look,along the Flexble New Look and urban and Suburban (i.e.,only one door;SCRTD was the second major purchaser of this Suburban Version) version;the fishbowl and AMG Metropolitan.There were fishbowls in Suburban form as well;initially as Airport Runners;later they were comissioned to go to San Bernardino - a County which is 60 or so miles from Los Angeles;manual transmission and were converted to Automatic prior to their decomission,for LACMTA does not leave Los Angeles County as of now (the Bus Operators of other Counties come to Los Angeles).LACMTA also operated Neoplans (1100 series) in Suburban form;decomissioned as of now.And of course,I am not forgetting the GMC RTS's which were gone by 1999.
The Flexbles New Look come in a big variety of bodies (4000 series were the 30 or 35 footers;now LACMTA has kept the GMC RTS's in that size) and engine layouts.Also there were the Grumman-Flexble 870's which were dumped quickly as soon as the frame problems were acknowledged;the Metro version were retained until the beggining of this Century and are constant players in Hollywood.Also,before LADOT (which became operational in the 1980's),SCRTD also had its minibuses (on Carpenter Body,if I remeber well).Currently,the minibuses which are run by LACMTA and its route is not run by LADOT on LACMTA colors are Ford Minibuses (do not know the body manufacturer).
And I have a book (and know of another in a library) which gives details of bus transport in the Los Angeles area,and true,there are plenty of prototypes to speak of.
So,based on what I saw and rode on Los Angeles bus systems,the number and variety of buses is quite wide.Now,if other operators are added,Santa Monica has - only them - the MCI Classics;Foothill Transit has Gilligs in many forms,including low riders;LADOT has the 'Americanized' version of the Mercedes Benz bus (its name escapes me now),plus the Neoplans in Suburban form which are different than those used by the former SCRTD.Hence,yes,several molds and a very unafordable final tooling cost.And yes,the AMG/MAN Metropolitans artic buses and Neoplan Double Deckers.
Personaly,besides the GMC old look,the Flexble New Look also can offer a good variety models,for it was also offered in many forms.
Collectors in 1/50 scale have more variety - including minaitures of Nova Bus vehicles - but these details are given at the 1/64 scale II thread so this one does not goes off topic.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Buses
Jan 17, 2007 4:12:48 GMT 1
Post by stanhas87 on Jan 17, 2007 4:12:48 GMT 1
Dear All: Harry mentioned about it:Illinois Railway Museum.True,the big majority of their collection is rail equipment (they even have a horse-drawn bus there) but there buses and trollybuses as well.Listings below. Their trolleybuses: www.irm.org/roster/trolley.html Their buses: www.irm.org/roster/motor.html
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Buses
Mar 20, 2007 3:27:00 GMT 1
Post by stanhas87 on Mar 20, 2007 3:27:00 GMT 1
Dear All:
SCRTD,LACMTA's predecessor,got,around 1980,their M.A.N./AMG articulated buses.These were used mostly at the Wilshire Corridor and at the end of the 1980's were decomissioned,the main reason being the fact that drivers hit these vehicles here and there.
LACMTA's construction and opening of the Orange Line in 2005 did brought these 60-footers back.Alas,their Literature from the period stated that 'longer buses' would be introduced and some will run in regular routes.Now,these are almost common sight,specially on high-density routes.
Foothill Transit,main Operator in East Los Angeles (started operations in 1986 and were a paratransit Authority before that) also inaugurated,on March 18th,a route which also are served by 60 footer,artic Buses (NABI of course).
Below,from their site,the details of this new route (Called the Silver Steaks):
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Silver Streak Debuts on March 18th
WEST COVINA, CA (March 9, 2007) Foothill Transit's streaking into spring a few days early this year. On March 18th, the agency's new bus line, the Silver Streak, will launch into service, the first of its kind in the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys.
The Silver Streak is a bold new type of public transit, using cutting edge bus science and technology to bring customers to major station stops in Montclair, Pomona, West Covina, El Monte, and Downtown Los Angeles.
A viable alternative to the single-user automobile between major destination points, the Silver Streak will only spend about five percent of its total trip on surface streets, utilizing the 10 freeway and HOV lanes for quick commuting between station stops; a sort of 'rail-on-rubber' concept, mimicking the efficiency and speed of light rail.
'This is probably the most thrilling initiative for Foothill Transit,' said Wil Briesemeister, President of the Foothill Transit Executive Board. 'The Silver Streak is a true marvel of transportation.'
Schedules on Foothill Transit routes that connect to the Silver Streak station stops are coordinated with the Silver Streak schedule to provide convenient and timely transfers to local destinations.
The 60' articulated buses, 20' longer than a regular bus, that will run on the Silver Streak route are state-of-the-art vehicles equipped with Foothill Transit?s new SMARTBus technology, providing automatic passenger counters, a vehicle locating system via global positioning satellites, on-board security cameras with high definition digital recording, automated station stop announcements, and station stop bus arrival displays.
In addition to the new SMARTBus technology, all of the 60' Silver Streak vehicles will be equipped with free WiFi service, allowing customers to surf while we do the driving.
In celebration of the Silver Streak, Foothill Transit is allowing customers to board the Silver Streak for free during the first two weeks it is on the road. The agency invites everyone out to try the latest transportation technology on the road. Free rides end April 1st.
The Silver Streak base fare will be $2, with a 31-Day Pass set at $80. Fifty percent discounted fares will be available for eligible seniors, persons with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders. In addition, Lines 690 and 481 will utilize the new Silver Streak fare, lowering the customer price by $1 for cash fares and by $20 for the 31-Day Pass.
***
Foothill Transit serves over 15 million customers on 35 fixed-route bus lines each year in the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. Its 306-bus fleet covers 327 square miles.
Foothill Transit is dedicated to being the premier public transit provider committed to safety, courtesy, quality, responsiveness, efficiency, and innovation. To receive a complete travel itinerary of starts, stops, and transfers to your destination, call 1-800-RIDE-INFO or visit one of Foothill Transit?s six Transit Stores located in West Covina, Duarte, Claremont, Pomona, Puente Hills Mall, and El Monte Station.
*****************************************************
Note that the Silver Streak is also called a train-type vehicle with rubber tyres,as LACMTA calls the buses which run at the Orange Line.
Also,LACMTA are also making their riders to pay atention to their fleet numbers: on the new buses (plus some older ones) is written,inside,above the windshield: 'You are riding on Vehicle 9430' (the latter is a brand new NABI 60-footer).Good ideia,because these fleet number are good info as a licence plate.
This book on Trains which was published in 1980's (by the Former Jane's World Railways Editor) stated that the face of Transport will change in Los Angeles.He was so right....................
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Buses
Aug 4, 2007 1:16:03 GMT 1
Post by stanhas87 on Aug 4, 2007 1:16:03 GMT 1
Dear All:
Is like they say, when anything is good, just do not fix it.
SCRTD had buses in different lenghts and in general, the 4000 series indicated vehicles which were smaller in lenght as compared to the other vehicles wit the fleet. In general, they serve in routes in areas which a 40 foot bus would have difficulty to manuever. When I came to Los Angeles, this fleet number had Flexble buses assigned to it; in 1980's, GMC RTS replaced them.
I did not saw any of the 4000 series buses in Van Nuys for at least 25 years, when Flexbles were the ones who filled this fleet number.But, starting last month, some of the smaller GMC's started to show up, and I mistakenly assumed that these were TMC RTS and their date of purchase was around 1988. I kept with this tought until last Wednesday, August 1st. I board one of these buses, and at the board which separates the driver from the front passengers there was a flyer with technical from this vehicle: it is a GMC 35 footer, 96 inch wide,and it has 24 - yes,24 - years of continous service and 800,000 miles in its chassi. After reading that, I was flabbergasted; it lasts longer that its bigger, 40 foot long, 102 inch brothers (8000 - 9000 fleet number; from 1980 to 1999). and since some of these received LACMTA's new livery, that means that these babies will around for a while more. So basically, on Wednesday, I was riding an Historical Vehicle, by all merits. It is interesting to note that LACMTA did 'retired' the 3000 fleet numbers - Neoplan AN440 - and 2500 to 2700 fleet numbers - Flexble Metro - because they were Diesel Powered. These GMC are Diesel. and so are the surviving TMC RTS in 40 foot lenght (1200 - 1400 and 2000 -2100 fleet numbers). Some of the TMC's also received the new liveries.
Some of the GMC TDH buses with SCRTD liveries are also around, but these are what I call 'promo' oriented vehicles (used for rentals); and the one I wish so much to see one more time - Flexble new look, 7100 series - is alive and well on a California Museum.
Bus Useful lifes are stated on the 8 or so year range; so these GMC's are the Grandaddy of the Buses still roaming at the Los Angeles area. A 200,000 mile shy of a million.
A final note: if someone knows of a similar story of a Bus lasting so long, please drop a line. Alas, someone should consider molding an RTS in 1/87; these are long-living items, almost - well, yeah, it is - an Icon. Several are still around the New York area, but that suggest later productions of the TMC or Nova Bus.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Buses
Aug 14, 2007 4:41:26 GMT 1
Post by stanhas87 on Aug 14, 2007 4:41:26 GMT 1
Dear All:
Is very interesting when a Paratransit operator manages to run a route - or several - in the Los Angeles Area. Foothill Transit was such an operator, and as of now, nearly every City has a Transit System (mostly Minibuses, but others, such as the City of Burbank, are already adding large buses to their fleet, one of the latest being an ex-Foothill Transit Gillig Phantom).
The case in point is an operator whose buses are painted white, and has 'Transit Systems' widely written at its sides. I know them since the 1990's, when they were the remaining operator who ran a AMG Metropolitan (long gone) and now most of their fleet are TMC RTS based, same fleet numbers as the ones from LACMTA, which suggests that these are from the former operator. I tried to find them at the Internet (even places such as Wilkipedia has Transit Information) but I was uncessful, and in my book, that suggests that these are rental buses (tours,Corporations and other similar activities). Where I live, they can be seen here and there.
The City of Los Angeles has a Public Space Telescope which is open for the Public. During the SCRTD times, an extension of a route (i.e., run as an adition to a designed route and ran very seldom; I used that one once them and stood at the stop for nearly or more than an hour) and I am not aware what was the routine when LACMTA took over.
As of now - and it been running for a while - Transit Systems provides services to that Location; it leaves from the City Zoo. I am not aware if they have more Cotracted routes to serve, but that is a beggining.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Buses
Aug 30, 2007 6:08:49 GMT 1
Post by stanhas87 on Aug 30, 2007 6:08:49 GMT 1
Dear All:
Been in downton Los Angeles today and had an opportuniy to see some of Foothil's Transit Silver Streaks. I like the ideia they had: the buses are at the F1600 fleet number, but each vehicle has its own name, as used to be with the Locomotives. I could not take notes, so I do not remember this well, but F1610 seems to be Spirit of Arcadia,if I remeber well; all of others are the 'Spirit' of something else. Nice ideia. If I understand well, one can have computer acess at these vehicles.
While LACMTA's Orange Line serve a route the goes from North Hollywood to Warner Center (Via Van Nuys; East-West direction) and this was built over a former railway line, Foothils Transit Silver Streak goes from Downtown to Clairemont (on another County, going Via the East Side - NorthEast, really - of Los Angeles County) via the Busway (which ends at the El Monte Transit Interchnage) and comes out of the 60 Freeway very few times. I truly like how this was planned: the name of the route, and the Buses with names, as they used to do with the Steam Locomotives.
The buses in question is the NABI 60BRT Articulated buses. Is interesting to note that prior to 2004, no such vehicles were seen at the streets of this Town (from 1980 to c1990, SCRTD had the M.A.N.- AMG artciculated, but these were retired because, supposedly, the drivers bumped on things with them. They were seen only at the Wilshire Corridor); as of now, is a common sight at Van Nuys blvd,Wilshire Corridor,Vermont and other areas; LACMTA's fleet number for these are in the 9000's.
I already spoke about Transit Systems.Ihave to add that now they own MCI coaches at their fleet.
Also, it seems that Foothill Transit is coming to my neck of the woods: it seems they have a route that connects the Zoo to the San Gabriel Valley (East Portion of Los Angeles County). I can say that, compared to 1979 when I came to this Town, the Transit System in this County Improved dramatically.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Buses
Aug 31, 2007 6:54:48 GMT 1
Post by stanhas87 on Aug 31, 2007 6:54:48 GMT 1
Dear All: Directly from LACMTA's press release. The article is quite straight-foward: Los Angeles Metro Rolls Out North America’s First 65-foot Articulated Compressed Natural Gas Bus on Metro Orange Line Super-sized SuccessIn response to greater than anticipated customer demand for Metro Orange Line service, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) today announced the public debut of its gigantic new 65-foot Metro Liner demonstration bus for daily revenue service. Just 10 feet shorter than a Metro Rail subway car, the extra-long transit vehicle made by North American Bus Industries, Inc. (NABI) is a first-of-its-kind, designed exclusively for operation on the Metro Orange Line, and is the highest capacity articulated compressed natural gas bus in operation in North America. The bus is a full five feet longer than its 60-foot predecessor, and provides room for 66 seated passengers compared to the 60-foot model’s 57 seats. These nine additional seats represent a 16 percent gain in seating capacity. When fully loaded with seated and standing passengers, the new 65-foot bus can accommodate up to 100 passengers compared to the 60-foot model’s capacity of 84. “Due to the overwhelming success of the Metro Orange Line, San Fernando Valley commuters have said ‘Super-size me,’ and Metro has listened,” said Pam O’Connor, Santa Monica City Councilmember and Metro Board Chair. “This new vehicle is roomier, quieter, more streamlined and, what’s more, operates on environmentally clean natural gas.” The addition of the extra-capacity bus comes at a time when the Metro Orange Line has reached a new ridership milestone. The line has recently logged its 10 millionth boarding since it opened in October 2005. Ridership has nearly doubled since the first month of operation. Boardings on the 14-mile line reached more than 24,000 per weekday during the most recent reporting period of July 2007. Metro will evaluate bus performance, including its maneuverability, passenger capacity, passenger acceptance and operating range during the one-year demonstration period. The vehicle should help alleviate the need of adding more buses to meet demand during peak periods, and could be flexibly phased into service as fleet replacements over time. “The Orange Line has become a runaway success, and we’re trying to keep up with demand in a way that does not have adverse impacts on local congestion,” said Zev Yaroslavsky, L.A. County Supervisor and Metro Board member. “If this demonstration vehicle proves successful in meeting the rigours of daily Orange Line service, we could very well see more of them in Metro’s bus fleet.” Innovations incorporated into the new vehicle design include an advance design exhaust system that reduces exterior noise. The manufacturer also moved the vehicle’s air conditioner location for a quieter interior ride. Passenger feedback was also factored into the design. The bus now features an advance design frameless tinted window system that reduces passenger window glare. The frameless windows also give the vehicle a more streamlined, rail-like appearance. To reduce vehicle weight, the 65-foot Metro Liner uses four less CNG storage tanks, and consequently weighs about the same as the 60-foot Metro Liner. Vehicle acceleration and braking is expected to be on par with the 60-foot models. The longer vehicle will have a tighter turning radius than many of Metro’s existing 40-foot buses, easing steering for its operators. In January 2007 the Metro Board approved a $100,000 addition to the agency’s existing contract that allowed NABI to produce one 65-foot articulated Metro Liner bus for demonstration purposes without significant cost, technical or mechanical challenges. “The new 65-foot articulated CNG bus takes our current pace-setting vehicle design and moves it to the next level,” said Roger Snoble, Metro CEO. “It will enable us to meet the increasing Orange Line passenger demand without increasing our operating costs.” “This new bus was designed exclusively for operation on the Metro Orange Line with our passengers in mind,” added Richard Hunt, General Manager for Metro San Fernando Valley service sector. “It continues Metro’s tradition of offering the latest innovations in transit technology that directly benefit our riders.” Metro has been granted an exemption from Caltrans to permit operation of the 65-foot vehicle exclusively on the Orange Line transitway. For additional Metro information and online transit trip planning, visit WWW.METRO.NET. For transit trip planning assistance over the phone, call 1-800-COMMUTE. Note: These vehicles, as far as I know, are not running yet.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Buses
Sept 6, 2007 1:56:57 GMT 1
Post by stanhas87 on Sept 6, 2007 1:56:57 GMT 1
Dear All:
See, regarding Transit buses, I can say I heard it all: carry the indigents,drugged and the lower end of the food chain, besides your average rider. Also, when I came to Los Angeles in 1979, it was explained to me that ladies here would ask: 'What you drive?' On TV,at the Rockford Files, Tom Selleck stated that he rides the SCRTD despite its inconviniences.Point was, in 1979, SCRTD was like a litte dot in the map which almost became squashed in the 1980's; hence LADOT and Foothill Transit.I can say that I saw all types when I rode City Buses, but the fact is that I am attracted to the Machine and I am a fan of them. My family could not grasp this liking (why buses, for crying out loud) and my co-workres would state about the 'nive' people which they carry on a daily basis. To be frank, prior to the mid-1980's,I though that I was alone on my liking, and discovered it was not so, and now, thanks to Internet,is really not so, albeit I am a minority.
Bus fancy? Hm, it would be the same thing as the ones who like Muscle Cars,Sport Cars or other kind of Vehicles: there is a favorite among the Bus Enthusiast, and that can be GM,Gillig,NABI,Orion,New Flyer and so on. Of course, is not so in real life, when the Transit Authority will decide which bus is the better suited for their Operations (same way as: Johnny likes Mustangs, Jeff prefers Camaros, George like the Chryslers; but, on the Transit's World, Money and reliability are very high players - so the Vehicle should last a - very hard in several cases - good while with the minimum possible visits to the shop and the Budget, if not all is paid by fares, will vary fro season to season - or Political Climate). Myself I like the Canadian response to the RTS - GMC/TMC/Nova Bus Classic, but here in Southern California, only Santa Monica bought them, and their numbers has dwindled considerably; soon they will be extinct, as is the AMG Metropolitan, which was acquired in good numbers by SCRTD and Santa Monica, but now they are a memory. Harry's New Flyer was bought in small numbers by LACMTA (pre-NABI times) and they are the sole Authority who has the Low Floor (3000-3007 fleet Number plus some other Fleet Numbers,but still in small quantities) and Regular Height (5000-5200 Fleet Number; it took the Internet to identify these,because a driver told me that these may be a Neoplan). Alas, some of these buses (like the New Flyers,Orions and Neoplan 6000 fleet number) are not assigned to and will not run on my Neck of the Woods). So,if I want to ride a favorite bus,I have to go places around this County.
Bill suggested to grasp sales Charts and how many were purchased by Respective Authorities; this way, one would know which of them (these are, let's face it, Limited Interest Vehicles; even more so in the USA).
I approve of that. There was a series of books (I do not remembers the name) which gave vehicle production, by make, in the USA and the Rest of the World;I have copies of some of their previous issues. And, if one need Transit Info, UITP is the place to go (but is a paid - expensive - site).These people compiled data on Transit since the 1950's and their written publications (I found some of them at USC) were published on a irregular basis, but good data: the name of the Authority,City it serves, info on the Vehicles (when there is Data avaliable). By 1982, the Jane's Publishing Group (All the World's Aircraft and so on) also published somethig similar, and it gives how many buses (again,if there is avaliable Data) there are by Authority, and what is what, numerically.
Good, eh? Yes and no. While some statistics, such as, say, number of passenger carried has a date frame, that does not happen with the Vehicle Statistic, so these numbers can be between five and ten years old, perhpas more. On my case, I can tell the time frame when I look at the LACMTA'S Vehicle's statistics. Be as it may. this is a very good data and this book - Jane's Urban Transport Systems - is published annualy. Lately, I discovered that Wilkipedia does have this info as well, but for selected Authorities. And of course,Magazines such Bus World will give this info for selected carriers now and then.
So, that what is avaliable. I have the 1988 edition of Janes, and could give a look and see which buses were bought in quantities prior to that year.
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Jerry
Junior Member
Posts: 139
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Buses
Sept 6, 2007 6:30:28 GMT 1
Post by Jerry on Sept 6, 2007 6:30:28 GMT 1
Nick, Thank you for the info regarding the new Orange Line bus; I was not aware of this new bus. Although I am not a bus fan, I will say that if this new bus is better than the present busses, then it is a great bus. I have ridden the Orange Line numerous times and it has always been a pleasant trip. I personally prefer the subway, however, subways here are more expensive and they do not pass through the lovely pastoral scenery that can be found on the Orange Line.
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