Whats is left for 1993 Orion 1s from Pace

[Busjack]

Another driver told me 2348 is up here, he had it the other day. So the first driver was likely wrong about a 238x series.

Although, a Nova Classic would be a real treat to ride in Waukegan!

I tend to doubt that rumor, since 2348 was on the Sept. 2, 2010 for sale list. I still have the pdf, and had reported the list here.

Maybe hearsay shouldn't be spread without confirmation.

[Railwaymodeler]

You're right, Busjack. I am pretty sure the guy said 2348, though.

Still, that is two people telling me another Orion is up here. Only, no one can agree to the unit number, and I have no idea yet myself.

I suppose I will find out this mystery bus in due time, though.

[Busjack]

I suppose I will find out this mystery bus in due time, though.

Or if the mystery is if there are any additional buses, such as this one you posted, but never materialized.

[Railwaymodeler]

Very true too. Maybe that bus I posted about there, IS the third bus.

When one of the Orions was brought from Northwest, it smelled of new brake shoes, so I imagine there is a possibility that a third DOES exist, but may be being fixed up for traffic.

Only time will tell.

[BusExpert32]

Very true too. Maybe that bus I posted about there, IS the third bus.

When one of the Orions was brought from Northwest, it smelled of new brake shoes, so I imagine there is a possibility that a third DOES exist, but may be being fixed up for traffic.

Only time will tell.

If their has to be an 8 in the unit number then Orion Is 2358 and 2378 are reasonable guesses, since North already had 2328, 2338, and 2368 before the news of a 3rd new bus there, and 2288, 2298, 2308, 2318, and 2348 don't make sense either.

[Railwaymodeler]

While this is getting about like beating a dead horse now, I did talk to a driver earlier, who said that there is an Orion in the garage, a parts bus, that has 1 + 2 seating (one seat one side, two seats the other side of the aisle). I don't know if any of the early Orions were built this way, but I think the Nova Classics were. He also said there is an 8900 for parts there too.

I have in my bus collection, the 'Your operator' plaque that was above the drivers side window. The 2300s lack this, but the 2100 series Orions had one of these. At least 2101 and 2102 did when they were at North some time ago. Also have an Orion front logo plate that was pulled off a scrapped bus (Not sure of the number, but was told it was a low 2300 series).

Anyone know the seating arrangement of a 8900? If only the Nova Classics had that seating system, then I could imagine that it is a 2380 series, a Nova Classic, at the North Garage.

What compounds anything I am told, is that most drivers don't know much about the buses, only that they get paid to drive them around and pick up and discharge passengers.:P

[rotjohns]

If their has to be an 8 in the unit number then Orion Is 2358 and 2378 are reasonable guesses, since North already had 2328, 2338, and 2368 before the news of a 3rd new bus there, and 2288, 2298, 2308, 2318, and 2348 don't make sense either.

But it's already been reported that 2378 was at South Holland ready to go to it's final resting place.

[Busjack]

Anyone know the seating arrangement of a 8900? If only the Nova Classics had that seating system, then I could imagine that it is a 2380 series, a Nova Classic, at the North Garage.

8900s (and in fact pretty much everything from 8701 through 8923) were conventional, two by two, all the way to the back; longitudinal over the wheel wells. The theory was that they survived on 290 and 355 when most of the other routes became accessible (into about 2003) because they had more seats.

The Nova Classics had two by two high back, purple suburban seats. It is very unlikely that they were parts buses, given the reports that they were retired because of incompatible parts, maintenance headaches, or whatever.

Update: I looked at a delivery list to see from where the bus could have come (probably anywhere; Canadian operators liked 2 by 1), but the surprising thing was that if that list is correct, the 8900s are newer than the 35-foot 2000s, even though they weren't accessible.

[Busjack]

2298 is also on the dead line@S.Holland,as seen here.

Do you have a dead line list (even if unofficial from sightings)?

[Busjack]

Thanks, It looks like NW is pretty well, but not completely, cleaned out, and unlike most divisions, NW sent theirs to South Holland, rather than the buses being left for inspection at the divisions, but NW doesn't have the room.

[rotjohns]

2305 was recently in Naperville, but considering I saw El Dorados 2665 and 2666 today, they might have replaced at least that bus. I did see 2274 and 2317 today, but not 2316 or 2318. If those 2 are not on the dead list, I wonder where they went.

[Busjack]

Using Pace834's two dead line lists, the for sale lists, plus accepting BusExpert's list of those definitely seen recently on WebWatch (North and North Shore Divisons), that leaves the following in some sort of limbo. Most of the bus numbers have footnotes.

2272 SH

2274 N1

2276 W

2277 R

2283 W

2286 W

2288 SH

2290 A1

2291 R

2292 N2

2293 A2

2297 R

2314 NO

2315 NW

2316 N2

2317 N1

2318 N2

2323 SH

2330 R

2335 NO

2336

2339 NS

2344 NS

2351 NW

2364

2365

2372 A2

2375 R

That leaves 28 not verifiable from Webwatch, and 19 that are. Depending on the status of what's still at Naperville, that probably means no more than 21 left in daily revenue service, plus whatever was saved for Ravinia service. I would also bet that those that were at a division (except NW) and went out of service there stayed there, and, as has happened before, some of the ones from contractors ended up at the South and West divisions to meet their fate.

Of course, if you have any corrections to this list, please let us know.

_________________

A1 At Academy, but might have been traded for 6252

A2 Gone from Academy, but not showing on 834's lists

N1 Today seen in Naperville by rotjohns

N2 Reported by rotjohns at Naperville, but not seen today

NO Reported by RailwayModeler to be gone from North

NS Bus Expert questioned if they were still at North Shore

NW Last seen on Webwatch at Northwest, but not yet on dead list

R Reported seen at Ravinia at some point

SH Reported seen in South Holland at some point, but not on the dead line or for sale lists

W Seen at Westmont, but not recently

[rotjohns]

If you drive past First Student in Naperville, on the left hand side of the parking lot, you can see at least 2 Orions. On the right side is all the El Dorados. It's hard to get back there to see them though without having to go thru security. At Westmont, you can see all the buses because that lot is right on the street whereas you have to drive into their facility in Naperville. When I reported seeing 2274 & 2317 today, they were at the Naperville Metra Station. Remember, at least 2 routes from First Student are at the Route 59 Metra, so it's possible there could be more Orions running those routes. If I get a chance, I'll check there tomorrow.

[rotjohns]

Looking at Webwatch this morning, North has 2328, 2332, 2333, 2334, 2338, 2354, and 2368 all running on Waukegan area routes. Might be more on route 565. No sign of 2339 still. No buses from Busjack's "limbo" list were found. Gotta believe they are hiding at their respective division except possibly NW.

[Busjack]

I had posted that 2290 was still on Webwatch, but I see that 5750 already picked up the ball on checking that out.

[Guest]

I had posted that 2290 was still on Webwatch, but I see that 5750 already picked up the ball on checking that out.

I worked Academy today, Orion #2290 is still there it was out this morning and itd out there again this afternoon.

Unfortunately for Nabi #6252, its already suffered a malfunction. It was out of service this morning, I dont know for what.

Academy/Pace fleet as of 10/29/10

NABI 35/40ft

6606 6608 6631 6632 6634 6635 6641

6642 6645 6646 6664 6681 6249 6250

6252 6254

Orion 35ft

2290

[rotjohns]

Doesn't sound like West did its due dillegence before sending 6252 away. If it had known there was a problem with that bus, they could've sent you 6247 or 6248.

[mikeymc77]

i didnt get a perfect look so i could be wrong but i definitely saw an orion heading north on LSD at 31st this afternoon. it looked like #2344 but not 100% positive

[rotjohns]

i didnt get a perfect look so i could be wrong but i definitely saw an orion heading north on LSD at 31st this afternoon. it looked like #2344 but not 100% positive

Heading north? Going the opposite way would tell me it would be heading to South Holland from North Shore. But going north? Got me on this one.

[Busjack]

i didnt get a perfect look so i could be wrong but i definitely saw an orion heading north on LSD at 31st this afternoon. it looked like #2344 but not 100% positive

Well, for whoever -1 me for saying it might be back to North Shore, although that seemed too late in the game, it was.

[Guest]

It is noticably different at Rosemont. Absolutely no Orion Is are seen now except for #2290. All you see now are Orion VI, Nabis and ElDorados.

[Guest]

Its possible Academy may have officially closed out the Orions. I found Orion #2290 with the farebox pulled out of it. I snapped these pics today.

[Railwaymodeler]

Seems strange to me that they would pull the farebox (Presumably for reuse), but leave the DriveCam in. DriveCams are expensive, and are reusable too.

EDIT: Just noticed that the IBS is there too. Does anyone know if this means the bus could, theoretically, be put back in service then should there be a need?

Or is it headed for the Great Garage In the Sky?

Edited December 1, 2010 by Railwaymodeler

[Guest]

Seems strange to me that they would pull the farebox (Presumably for reuse), but leave the DriveCam in. DriveCams are expensive, and are reusable too.

EDIT: Just noticed that the IBS is there too. Does anyone know if this means the bus could, theoretically, be put back in service then should there be a need?

Or is it headed for the Great Garage In the Sky?

When I drove Orion #2372 down to South Holland after leaving Academy, it still had the farebox and IBS still in it.

[Guest]

Seems strange to me that they would pull the farebox (Presumably for reuse), but leave the DriveCam in. DriveCams are expensive, and are reusable too.

EDIT: Just noticed that the IBS is there too. Does anyone know if this means the bus could, theoretically, be put back in service then should there be a need?

Or is it headed for the Great Garage In the Sky?

Guess what??? Its headed for that Great Garage in the sky!!! I just found out a little while ago that #2290 was shipped out to South Holland this morning. I just spoke with the driver who drove it there. No more Orions on the roster at Academy.

Academy Roster 12/1/10 16 NABI buses

35ft.

6606 6608

6631 6642

6632 6645

6634 6646

6635 6664

6641 6681

40ft.

6249 6252

6250 6254