1000-series D40LF - Updates & Retirements

[jtrussel]

3 hours ago, Busjack said:

Why spend money tp overhaul a bus when its mates have rusted vasses?

If they dont have any rust or frame issues like @YoungBusLover had seen a 1700+ on the lift with no frame or rust issues but still retired a short time later why not. These selected flyers given that are getting the last overhaul are only going to last a couple more years if that. There could be. A possible rust prevention during the overhaul it may cost alittle but it's all in the end throwing away money to keep equipment that's 20yrs old going when its only going last 2 to 3 more years.as much as I enjoy the flyers the had done their their time. CTA is running  these flyers like new York done the RTS there are very few agencies that run the D40LF as a primary fleet or even have them in service anymore

[YoungBusLover]

32 minutes ago, jtrussel said:

If they dont have any rust or frame issues like @YoungBusLover had seen a 1700+ on the lift with no frame or rust issues but still retired a short time later why not. These selected flyers given that are getting the last overhaul are only going to last a couple more years if that. There could be. A possible rust prevention during the overhaul it may cost alittle but it's all in the end throwing away money to keep equipment that's 20yrs old going when its only going last 2 to 3 more years.as much as I enjoy the flyers the had done their their time. CTA is running  these flyers like new York done the RTS there are very few agencies that run the D40LF as a primary fleet or even have them in service anymore

Just speculation on my part about one bus in particular. 

[Erin Mishkin Jr.]

#1677 and #1962 have been retired

[Busjack]

Finally some action on thw overhaul frontL

[Erin Mishkin Jr.]

1631 is at SS, maybe returning or retired

[Chammon Moore]

1123 is back in service at 103rd currently on the 172

[Erin Mishkin Jr.]

The New Year has rolled in and here is what is still on the active roster that has not appeared in service yet in 2026

Forest Glen: 1641 - RETIRED

 

This is all of what operated so far in 2026

Forest Glen: 1630, 1631, 1632, 1633, 1653, 1655, 1663 (7)

North Park: 1719, 1720, 1725, 1762, 1764, 1767-1769, 1780, 1788, 1793, 1798, 1801, 1806-1807, 1818, 1826, 1830, 1832, 1853, 1855, 1860, 1862-1863, 1865, 1872-1873, 1878, 1880, 1891, 1932 (31)

Kedzie: 1673, 1676, 1683, 1688, 1714, 1715, 1721, 1724, 1736, 1783, 1803, 1809, 1846, 1874, 1920 (15)

Chicago: 1904, 1906, 1909, 1915, 1919, 1929, 1950, 1975, 1982, 2001, 2006, 2019 (12)

Only 65 buses are still left on the active roster. 72 buses between 1630-2029 have been retired in 2025 so by the end of 2026 if the same trend from 2025 continues, all these buses will be retired. The trend seems to be 6 buses retired per month approximately.

[Mr.NewFlyer1279]

#1630 has been reactivated for service currently on the 78.

[Erin Mishkin Jr.]

1631 has also returned to service this morning, just to go back to SS..

[Bus1883]

Got a brief ride on 1306. 77th has done it on the 1000s it has. The transmission just appears to scream on top of its lungs when the driver tries to accelerate any faster at over 20 MPH but couldn’t. That bus needs to go, I miss the days when we all described whatever condition a bus was in just like we’ve done the 6400s a decade ago. 

[Elkmn]

20 hours ago, Erin Mishkin Jr. said:

The New Year has rolled in and here is what is still on the active roster that has not appeared in service yet in 2026

Forest Glen: 1631, 1632, 1641 (spotted on hoist at SS in late December)

North Park: 1826 and 1855

 

This is all of what operated so far in 2026

Forest Glen: 1630, 1631, 1633, 1653, 1655, 1663 (6)

North Park: 1719, 1720, 1725, 1762, 1764, 1767-1769, 1780, 1788, 1793, 1798, 1801, 1806-1807, 1818, 1830, 1832, 1853, 1860, 1862-1863, 1865, 1872-1873, 1878, 1880, 1891, 1932 (29)

Kedzie: 1673, 1676, 1683, 1688, 1714, 1715, 1721, 1724, 1736, 1783, 1803, 1809, 1846, 1874, 1920 (15)

Chicago: 1904, 1906, 1909, 1915, 1919, 1929, 1950, 1975, 1982, 2001, 2006, 2019 (12)

Just 62 to 66 are still left on the active roster. 72 buses between 1630-2029 have been retired in 2025 so by the end of 2026 if the same trend from 2025 continues, all these buses will be retired. The trend seems to be 6 buses retired per month approximately.

Yeah it's tragic cause we used to be D40LF city! We're down to 7 Bowling alley buses now! Those things were my favorite when I was taking the 65. 

[Bus1883]

29 minutes ago, Elkmn said:

Yeah it's tragic cause we used to be D40LF city! We're down to 7 Bowling alley buses now! Those things were my favorite when I was taking the 65. 

I remember the days when they were spanking brand new. As a kid I’ve witnessed all 4 options along with their 20 DE40LF relatives and the 4000s arriving in Chicago from the factory with plastic around the bottom half of the front end along with gray tape covering the edge of the headlights. The blue hue LED lighting was the best feature on 1630-2029

[Erin Mishkin Jr.]

With 1331 and 1427's departure from the Perry Street fence last month, does this mean either one of these buses are going to be fixed up and back on the road? Or have they just moved somewhere else away from street view?

[Mr.NewFlyer1279]

33 minutes ago, Erin Mishkin Jr. said:

With 1331 and 1427's departure from the Perry Street fence last month, does this mean either one of these buses are going to be fixed up and back on the road? Or have they just moved somewhere else away from street view?

 both are allegedly in the body shop

[Elkmn]

4 hours ago, Bus1883 said:

I remember the days when they were spanking brand new. As a kid I’ve witnessed all 4 options along with their 20 DE40LF relatives and the 4000s arriving in Chicago from the factory with plastic around the bottom half of the front end along with gray tape covering the edge of the headlights. The blue hue LED lighting was the best feature on 1630-2029

i can't even picture a 4000 in good shape! how times change! when do overhauls start for the d40lfs with the good frames?

[Sam92]

5 hours ago, Bus1883 said:

I remember the days when they were spanking brand new. As a kid I’ve witnessed all 4 options along with their 20 DE40LF relatives and the 4000s arriving in Chicago from the factory with plastic around the bottom half of the front end along with gray tape covering the edge of the headlights. The blue hue LED lighting was the best feature on 1630-2029

Does #1249 still have that weird sign?

[Bus1883]

5 hours ago, Sam92 said:

Does #1249 still have that weird sign?

Yes 

[Bus1883]

6 hours ago, Elkmn said:

i can't even picture a 4000 in good shape! how times change! when do overhauls start for the d40lfs with the good frames?

It’s slowly underway if I’m not mistaken but there was a recent bid to rehab up to 500 more than likely 430 or 450 will only get it. #1050 was rehabbed last year credits to those who mentioned 

[Sam92]

On 12/29/2025 at 1:24 PM, Busjack said:

Finally some action on thw overhaul frontL

 

4 hours ago, Bus1883 said:

It’s slowly underway if I’m not mistaken but there was a recent bid to rehab up to 500 more than likely 430 or 450 will only get it. #1050 was rehabbed last year credits to those who mentioned 

Might have been a few test buses like #1005 was with the major rebuilds years back. From the pic it looks like they're still looking for someone contract the work to 

[Erin Mishkin Jr.]

New editions to the boneyard include what might be #1641 on LTH and 1830 which was just added a couple hours ago today since it was on the 148 this morning. Not sure if 1830 is getting retired but is not running rn.

[Erin Mishkin Jr.]

At this point it is likely that #1830 has been retired. 1846 has not been seen in service since January 7th as well. 1633 has not been in service since January 8th.

[Mr.NewFlyer1279]

5 hours ago, Erin Mishkin Jr. said:

At this point it is likely that #1830 has been retired. 1846 has not been seen in service since January 7th as well. 1633 has not been in service since January 8th.

1633 is on legal hold.

[jajuan]

On 12/29/2025 at 1:24 PM, Busjack said:

Finally some action on thw overhaul frontL

Hmmm looks like they're trying to give themselves more wiggle room than thought in having enough operable buses to maintain service as the move towards the transition to no emissions vehicles they've set themselves on draws closer in the coming years. I took note of your updated question of whether they're more short of buses than was thought as relates to the 150 hybrid requisition. C having the highest number of 8350s makes more sense in that regard. 

On 1/8/2026 at 4:59 AM, Bus1883 said:

It’s slowly underway if I’m not mistaken but there was a recent bid to rehab up to 500 more than likely 430 or 450 will only get it. #1050 was rehabbed last year credits to those who mentioned 

I had been thinking 400 minimum to a max of 430. But the retirement of anything lower than 1630 has been so extremely slow compared to those numbered higher, and recent shifts from a few of the south side garages so far keep numbers at C, K and P steady at the totals they had settled to after getting their allotments of 8350s. Add that to Busjack posting the bus info requesting an overhaul to a max of 500 and his new question of whether CTA is hitting too close bus shortages that can affect service, and I can see how the overhaul number may be higher.

[jtrussel]

On 12/27/2025 at 5:32 PM, YoungBusLover said:

Just speculation on my part about one bus in particular. 

 

17 hours ago, jajuan said:

Hmmm looks like they're trying to give themselves more wiggle room than thought in having enough operable buses to maintain service as the move towards the transition to no emissions vehicles they've set themselves on draws closer in the coming years. I took note of your updated question of whether they're more short of buses than was thought as relates to the 150 hybrid requisition. C having the highest number of 8350s makes more sense in that regard. 

I had been thinking 400 minimum to a max of 430. But the retirement of anything lower than 1630 has been so extremely slow compared to those numbered higher, and recent shifts from a few of the south side garages so far keep numbers at C, K and P steady at the totals they had settled to after getting their allotments of 8350s. Add that to Busjack posting the bus info requesting an overhaul to a max of 500 and his new question of whether CTA is hitting too close bus shortages that can affect service, and I can see how the overhaul number may be higher.

I thought the plan was to overhaul up to 500 1000series in the first place i wonder if midwest bus in Michigan will bid they rebuilt Boston D40s which are around the same age as our 1000s or will bus and truck bid as well

[jajuan]

7 hours ago, jtrussel said:

 

I thought the plan was to overhaul up to 500 1000series in the first place i wonder if midwest bus in Michigan will bid they rebuilt Boston D40s which are around the same age as our 1000s or will bus and truck bid as well

No CTA itself had been quoting the 430 number since first announcing that it would be giving surviving New Flyers a second overhaul.