Photos & Videos: Washington DC Metro Area

[Nabinut]

This past Saturday had a chance to explore the fourth largest Transit System in the United States. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority provides service to two states and the District of Columbia. Here are some photos and videos from the day:

Orion V #2219 awaits its next run at Friendship Heights Station. This is one of three series of Orion V run by Metrobus:

New Flyer D40LFR #6112 arrives at Anacostia Station. This is one of 117 D40LFRs that feature roof mounted A/Cs and rear windows

Metrobus also runs two different fleets of CNG buses. The second order also came from Orion. 2635 is a 2005 Orion VII and part of a 250 bus order with two lots; 30 Semi-Suburbans and 30 '30' foot Orion VIIs

The second fleet of CNG buses are comprised of 164 New Flyer C40LFs from 2003. Here's 2428 in the new scheme early in the evening:

The latest purchase made by Metrobus is New Flyer DE42LFA BRT Model. They are in the process of delivering 525 in three different sizes: 37, 42 & 62 foot. Here's LFA #6353 on layover in Metrobus' new paint scheme:

The other system toured this day was Montgomery Ride-On which offers service in Maryland's largest county. Ride-On runs a fleet of 30 to 40 foot buses, CNG, Diesel and Diesel Electric with most of the orders coming from Gillig. Here's a few photos:

5712 is a 1999 Orion V 40 footer (The year of the coach is placed next to the fleet number) and is one of 25 in service:

5348 is a brand new Diesel Electric bus built by Gillig which features a new, more brighter paint scheme:

5835 is one of 15 New Flyer C40LFs run by Ride-On and their second venture into CNG:

Lastly, here is a photo of 35 foot Orion VII CNG #5946, one of 57 built between 2005 & 2006. The order features two different transmission (Voith & ZF) but carries a Cummins ISC Gas Plus engine:

Now for the Videos:

Metrobus:

Orion VI #2093

New Flyer C40LF #2378

New Flyer D40LFR #6201:

New Flyer DE42LFA #6344:

Montgomery Ride-On:

Gillig Phantom #5412:

Orion VII CNG #5946:

Gillig Advantage Low Floor #5020:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqbCKoFsaAk

[jacksone44]

Great Pictures. I love the new DC Metro Paint Scheme. Vast Improvement over that dreadful one they're phasing out.

[Nabinut]

Spending Christmas Eve in town, I captured more photos and videos. Enjoy!

Metro Extra 2805 in front of Walter Reed Hospital:

Flxible Metro E #4078 seen shortly before a run on the J3:

Still going strong, Nabi 5210 awaits a green to start its run on the Y5:

9413, the last 40 foot Flxible Metro B awaits to start its run on the Z8:

5401, the first of 22 NABI 60 Foot BRT artics sits outside Minnesota Avenue Station before its run on the U8:

Flxible Metro B #9399 in full sunshine on the A8 just outside Anacostia Metro Station:

NFI C40LF 2354 passes by the famed "Gate to Chinatown":

NFI DE62LFA #5442 heading towards Downtown DC on Route 70:

Loudoun County Transit MCI D4500 71008:

NFI express scheme 6437 at the beginning of the S9 limited to Sliver Spring Station:

Videos:

New Flyer C40LF (Audio):

New Flyer DE62LFA #5449:

Neoplan AN-460 #5306:

Flxible Metro B #9413:

Ride-On Orion V #5720:

Ride-On New Flyer C40LF (Audio):

[rideonrulez]

My hometown!! Thanks for sharing

[rotjohns]

I was on 80/94 today and saw two of the Metro Local buses traveling on the highway, exactly like pic 5 above. They were 6553 and 6554. I couldn't get pics because I was driving, but they look like really nice buses. Wonder where they were coming from and what they were doing in the Chicagoland area?

[Guest]

I was on 80/94 today and saw two of the Metro Local buses traveling on the highway, exactly like pic 5 above. They were 6553 and 6554. I couldn't get pics because I was driving, but they look like really nice buses. Wonder where they were coming from and what they were doing in the Chicagoland area?

Going from the manufacturer to the east coast.

[rotjohns]

Going from the manufacturer to the east coast.

I guess I'm a little surprised that they drive the new buses down to their destinations unless it is to break them in on the road. I assume they do this for everybody.

[Busjack]

I guess I'm a little surprised that they drive the new buses down to their destinations unless it is to break them in on the road. I assume they do this for everybody.

Numerous sightings of New Flyers being delivered to the east coast from Minnesota via Chicago (I 90 or I 94) have been reported here.

Also, it was reported here that buses are usually driven, except the time, after two Novas were discovered in Detroit, that CTA requested that the rest be trailered on flatbed trucks. (See the thread starting about here). IIRC, the NABIs were also delivered on flatbed trucks, but nothing since then.

Heck, I remember seeing CTA 9000s being delivered on I80, going back to 1976.

[Guest]

I guess I'm a little surprised that they drive the new buses down to their destinations unless it is to break them in on the road. I assume they do this for everybody.

New Flyer buses from various sytems on the east coast and Canada typically pass through Chicago all the time. Just last week I spotted to brand new SEPTA New Flyers passing through on I-90 EB.

[Busjack]

I saw 2 WMATA local buses on 80-94 this afternoon. I couldn't give them much attention, since I was in a construction zone blocked by an accident, but the flashing orange NOT IN SERVICE headsign got my attention.

[rotjohns]

I saw 2 WMATA local buses on 80-94 this afternoon. I couldn't give them much attention, since I was in a construction zone blocked by an accident, but the flashing orange NOT IN SERVICE headsign got my attention.

They must be coming fast and furious for D.C. Now you've seen 2 and I've seen 2. But the Not In Service headsign wasn't flashing when I saw them. I guess the Flxible pics we see here are the best we'll see as I am sure these buses are their replacements.

[Nabinut]

This past Saturday I visited DC on a whim and here are the results:

Metrobus:

New Flyer DE40LF #6037:

New Flyer DE62LFA #5436:

Orion VII CNG #2607:

New Flyer C40LF #2385 with the Capitol Building in the Background:

6539 at Greenbelt Station

New Flyer D40LF Suburban #6216:

Montgomery County Ride-On:

New Flyer C40LF #5826:

Gillig Advantage #5751:

Gillig Advantage 29 footer #5024:

Gillig Advantage Hybrid #5341:

Videos:

Metrobus New Flyer D40LFR #6162:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqWQOXQNqAQ

Metrobus New Flyer C40LF #2315:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hYAoDjoWOw

Metrobus Orion V #4316:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziFtjtLx7OY

Montgomery County Ride-On Gillig Advantage 29 footer #5024:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Poq_8rHhyiU

[rotjohns]

Out of all of these buses, I think my favorite is the New Flyer D40LF Suburban #6216. It just simply "looks cool." I don't like the Orion VII, it looks weird to me.

By the way, are the Flxibles still in service or are they gone now?

[Nabinut]

Yesterday I traveled to the DC region to get some ride videos and new photos of the fleet. Here are some photos:

New Flyer DE62LFA #5434 seen at Prince Georges Plaza:

6606, one of the newer of the DE42LFAs placed in service at Friendship Heights:

Gillig Low Floor 5750:

Orion V #5724 at Shady Grove Metro:

Orion V CNG #5815 makes a rear appearance:

Another DE62LFA assigned to the C route, this time at Wheaton Station:

Gillig Low Floor Hybrid #5323 in Sliver Spring:

Orion VI #2003:

New Flyer DE62LFA #5432:

New Flyer DE42LFA #6553:

[jacksone44]

Yesterday I traveled to the DC region to get some ride videos and new photos of the fleet. Here are some photos:

New Flyer DE62LFA #5434 seen at Prince Georges Plaza:

6606, one of the newer of the DE42LFAs placed in service at Friendship Heights:

Gillig Low Floor 5750:

Orion V #5724 at Shady Grove Metro:

Orion V CNG #5815 makes a rear appearance:

Another DE62LFA assigned to the C route, this time at Wheaton Station:

Gillig Low Floor Hybrid #5323 in Sliver Spring:

Orion VI #2003:

New Flyer DE62LFA #5432:

New Flyer DE42LFA #6553:

Great pictures. It looks like WAMTA is removing the wheel skirts off the New Flyer BRT's.

[Nabinut]

Yes, they are. In fact the last order (6510-6609) came without the skirts.

[Guest]

Yes, they are. In fact the last order (6510-6609) came without the skirts.

Good! Those skirts looked ridiculous anyway!