7900-series Nova LFS - Updates

[Busjack]

Yeah, I would wonder what was up with the #6540's deliveries not far behind the #6400's but I think I remember that order was late too. They were supposed to get 150 buses a year then to stretch out the age of the fleet and what happened was the first ones arrived 12/5/00 when they should have had the 150 for the 2000 year. So it would then make sense if #6545 for instance shows up early 2001, which it did. It would be interesting to find out if #6400 - #6549 are indeed 2000 models. I know the first ones were. Now the #6710's showed up in 3/02 and they were 2002 models. So it might be reasonable to say they were starting to building those from 1/02 - 3/02 unless they were build old models in the next calender year.

1. Why was I given grief when I said the first sightings were in 2000?
2. My point wasn't just that the base order was late, but it looked like the entire base order was going to 77th until like 6533 showed up at Archer, even though 6549 was on a 77th route, initially.

[Busjack]

Another example of your point is that a number of the amber signed 6400s were originally assigned to Chicago Garage when they first got here and moved to FG when the last bunch that were delayed finally started getting here and pushed the Americanas filling the gap at FG after the 9800s' retirement up to NP.

It only appeared that two training buses (6712 and 6715) with C stickers did. The initial shipment of buses 6709 and over was to get RTSs out of Chicago garage.

In that case, FG pretty consistently got about 6756 or 6758 and up. I suppose that it will now get 8121 and up, just to guess.

If one wants to play speculation, trying looking again for a garage that has a training bus. I don't think one can yet make assumptions about 7900 having been at C early in its tenure.

[ajm522]

7983 released on #8

[jajuan]

It only appeared that two training buses (6712 and 6715) with C stickers did. The initial shipment of buses 6709 and over was to get RTSs out of Chicago garage.

In that case, FG pretty consistently got about 6756 or 6758 and up. I suppose that it will now get 8121 and up, just to guess.

If one wants to play speculation, trying looking again for a garage that has a training bus. I don't think one can yet make assumptions about 7900 having been at C early in its tenure.

That sounds about right as far as the numbers go. I do remember seeing 6709 for the first time on the 53 and thinking to myself how the amber colored signs were an interesting switch given the amber 6400s marked the first time amber signs were a consistent standard feature on CTA buses and not interesting tests like on 6441 and 6518. Either way, 6709 through about 6755 being at Chicago first and then making their way to FG still fits your point to sw that buses can and do get moved to other garages after their very first revenue service garage assignment.

[BusHunter]

#7981's on the #2 and #7984's on the #1

[Mr.cta85]

Got some interesting news to share with you guys about the 7900's. I've heard from 2 different people that the 7900's are coming to 103rd garage because of the 95th station project that they broke ground on a few days ago. Not sure how reliable the source is but I wouldn't be surprised if it were true considering that's the same thing that happened with the then Newley delivered 4300's back in 2012 just in time for the red line south project that took place. Once the new 95th station is completed I'm sure Ralm is going to want to see the newest buses along with the 5000's there you know for the press and all lol. If anybody else heard the same thing then that means I'm not the only one whose heard about this. So after 77th maybe the next garage is 103rd. FG might get a load of rehabbed new flyers though if that is the case as well as 74th.

[Busjack]

Got some interesting news to share with you guys about the 7900's. I've heard from 2 different people that the 7900's are coming to 103rd garage because of the 95th station project that they broke ground on a few days ago. Not sure how reliable the source is but I wouldn't be surprised if it were true considering that's the same thing that happened with the then Newley delivered 4300's back in 2012 just in time for the red line south project that took place. Once the new 95th station is completed I'm sure Ralm is going to want to see the newest buses along with the 5000's there you know for the press and all lol. If anybody else heard the same thing then that means I'm not the only one whose heard about this. So after 77th maybe the next garage is 103rd. FG might get a load of rehabbed new flyers though if that is the case as well as 74th.

The problem with that theory is (besides garage gossip being unreliable) is that the Red Line South project needed the buses because the trains were not running, and there was no other means of getting to Garfield. All reports are that the 95th station will remain open, and most of the work is going to be south of 95th, building the second bus terminal.

The Sun-Times, after noting that every stinking politician tried to get his, stated:

The CTA intends to keep the old station open during construction that’s expected to continue into 2017. But, Claypool held open the possibility of “short-term, maybe weekend or nighttime closures during key points where, logistically, it needs to happen…. A day or two” at most.

By the same token, someone has not posted that FG is getting 100 articulated buses, because the California and Damen stations are going to be closed.

Finally, on your last point, the 7900s are not going to be new in 2017, just less beat up than the 11 year old 1000s.

[jajuan]

The problem with that theory is (besides garage gossip being unreliable) is that the Red Line South project needed the buses because the trains were not running, and there was no other means of getting to Garfield. All reports are that the 95th station will remain open, and most of the work is going to be south of 95th, building the second bus terminal.

The Sun-Times, after noting that every stinking politician tried to get his, stated:

The CTA intends to keep the old station open during construction that’s expected to continue into 2017. But, Claypool held open the possibility of “short-term, maybe weekend or nighttime closures during key points where, logistically, it needs to happen…. A day or two” at most.

By the same token, someone has not posted that FG is getting 100 articulated buses, because the California and Damen stations are going to be closed.

Finally, on your last point, the 7900s are not going to be new in 2017, just less beat up than the 11 year old 1000s.

Right. 77th and 103rd had most of the 4300s at the time of Red Line South because the extra bus capacity was needed on the south side to operate most of the replacement shuttle routes (R69 didn't operate with artics because it was run by 74th which doesn't operate artics) because no rapid trains were operating south of 63rd. It had nothing to do with the newness of the bus as those R routes also got served by 4000s in addition to 4300s and the 4300s themselves were used on other more traditional artic routes (in the case of K and 103rd) and weren't restricted to solely the R routes. As you point out, that's not what's going on here. 95th will remain open for the most part and if there are closures from time to time, trains will still be able to be able to get to 87th. Neither of those details points to any significant shuttle bus use. If 103rd does need to do any shuttle service, which sounds like it would be confined to mainly to overnight service, it can easily use its NFs (a number of which are already rehabbed) for this.

[i8itall4u]

7979 was NB on the Ford 630am this morning with a "new car" sticker on the front door.

[BusHunter]

7979 was NB on the Ford 630am this morning with a "new car" sticker on the front door.

Which would beg the question, what does a new bus driving on the highway use for license plates? This new car sticker? But usually that would mean the license would be applied for in that state, unless they were Illinois ones not New York?

[Busjack]

Which would beg the question, what does a new bus driving on the highway use for license plates? This new car sticker? But usually that would mean the license would be applied for in that state, unless they were Illinois ones not New York?

He probably meant transporter permit. The NY description is here.

Which reminds me that since there have been sightings of a 5500 on a flat bed truck and 7900s both on I-94, maybe they ought to drag race.

[BusHunter]

He probably meant transporter permit. The NY description is here.

Which reminds me that since there have been sightings of a 5500 on a flat bed truck and 7900s both on I-94, maybe they ought to drag race.

Ahh, the power of googling. The #5000's and probably the #7900's take a business week to transport from New York to Chi-town. Now in a car that should take 12-15 hours, interstate speed. The #5000's however have been spotted on US highway 30 in Ohio and Indiana which makes those sound like they are coming via a slower perhaps safer highway commute perhaps making the commute a third longer in time. (Maybe 24-30 hours) But there has been a few reports of them on I-90, including a recent photograph. So I wonder if it's a truck drivers decision or bus drivers which way they go or are they just allowed 5 days to get there. Sounds like they have alot of downtime.

[Busjack]

Ahh, the power of googling. The #5000's and probably the #7900's take a business week to transport from New York to Chi-town. Now in a car that should take 12-15 hours, interstate speed. The #5000's however have been spotted on US highway 30 in Ohio and Indiana which makes those sound like they are coming via a slower perhaps safer highway commute perhaps making the commute a third longer in time. (Maybe 24-30 hours) But there has been a few reports of them on I-90, including a recent photograph. So I wonder if it's a truck drivers decision or bus drivers which way they go or are they just allowed 5 days to get there. Sounds like they have alot of downtime.

Sounds like they are trying to avoid tolls.

The reports on I-94 made me suppose that some are coming via Ontario Hwy 401 or 402 (which would be the most direct route), but I don't know if complications arise from having to go through border control.

Those in the trucking business could tell us whether any of this affects the trucker's income.

[TaylorTank1229]

7927 on the #1 at Union Station

[garmon757]

Finally, a 7900 during the weekend. #7900 on #8A @ 79th/Perry Terminal.

[garmon757]

Shots of #7941, #7947, #7978, #7979, and #7989.

#7940, #7944, #7971, #7990 and #7991 should begin service this week coming up.

[jajuan]

Finally, a 7900 during the weekend. #7900 on #8A @ 79th/Perry Terminal.

Given we have a good number of them here now either already in service or waiting to get cleared for service, it was bound to happen soon enough that we'd see a 7900 operating on the weekend.

[garmon757]

Given we have a good number of them here now either already in service or waiting to get cleared for service, it was bound to happen soon enough that we'd see a 7900 operating on the weekend.

Indeed and #7900 wasn't alone either because another one entered the garage via 79th before I came out there.

[Juniorz]

Just wanted to share these, saw 7906 operating route 8 at the Orange Line halsted station Thursday Sept. 25th, 2014 . These were when 7906 were at skokie

[garmon757]

Just wanted to share these, saw 7906 operating route 8 at the Orange Line halsted station Thursday Sept. 25th, 2014 . These were when 7906 were at skokie

Great shots!!!

[Juniorz]

Great shots!!!

Thank You!!!

[BusHunter]

Indeed and #7900 wasn't alone either because another one entered the garage via 79th before I came out there.

Got sent a picture of this bus on #79 yesterday. Looks like this is the other one.

[garmon757]

Got sent a picture of this bus on #79 yesterday. Looks like this is the other one.

cta 7962.jpg

What a shot though!!! Looks like it was coming from 79th/Western Terminal thanks to Walgreens being in that shot!

[BusHunter]

#7990 is on the #8 this morning, #7991 is on the #8A

[Lothian]

According to the CTA Payment database, as of roughly 1 month ago there were 88 7900s built and inspected, of which 35 delivered, of which 15 in service. Obviously more that 15 are in service right now, so it's pretty safe to think that the first two batches of 50 buses have been completed. However there's no clue whether production of the third batch has started yet.

Edited March 25, 2015 by Lothian