M.A.N Americana

[Guest]

Thnx for that brings back memories,Last time I rode a CTA AMERICANA was 2002. After that I moved from Chicago for awhile and never again rode one.

I miss driving them. In my seven years at CTA I drove these buses from three garages, Kedzie, North Pk, Forest Glen. Good heat too in the winter!! I really enjoyed driving these MAN buses particularly on the #82 Kimball/Homan and #152 Addison where the double stream entrance doors made a huge difference.

[ArcherRider]

My friend a former North Park driver like these buses better than TMC and is favorite bus was #4250 because that bus was fast and I still remember that bus was not in red/white and blue but paint in different color like #4175 and #4217 and I still remember that is #4275 is different bus too.

[cta5658]

I Remember riding the MAN Americana Buses on the #119 Michigan/119th and the #111 Pullman/111th/115th (back when the 95th bound #111's were operating on St. Lawrence between 115th and 111th)

[ChicagoNova]

I also remember riding those buses too. I watched that youtube video by accessing the link, and the sound that bus made was the exact same sound that the M.A.N. Americanas that CTA once had made.

[mbta9244]

Here is a recording that I did of my ride aboard a Seattel Americana and I expect that this bus would sound VERY similar to the CTA Americana's. More than likely sounded identical, but someone can correct me as I have never been to Chicago which means I never rode the CTA Americana's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5pUXSwtERQ . Comments?

[jajuan]

Here is a recording that I did of my ride aboard a Seattel Americana and I expect that this bus would sound VERY similar to the CTA Americana's. More than likely sounded identical, but someone can correct me as I have never been to Chicago which means I never rode the CTA Americana's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5pUXSwtERQ . Comments?

It's similar to a CTA Americana but not exactly identical.

[Busjack]

The thing with these (as I remember and someone commented on You Tube) is that they had German engines and drive trains. Just about any other bus of that era assembled in the U.S. had about the same drive train, whether the assembler was Gillig, Orion, [old] Flyer, TMC, etc.

[sw4400]

A few questions:

1. When exactly were some Americanas moved to FG?

Around 6/11/01

2. How many Americanas were moved to FG?

3. What were the bus numbers of the FG Americanas?

4. When were the last NP Americanas retired?

5. How many Americanas were at NP right before their retirement?

6. What were the bus numbers of the NP Americanas?

7. Does anyone have the delivery schedule of the Novas to FG?

8. When exactly were the FG Flyers retired?

The Flyers were retired in 2002, but reported that 9/11/01 was the last day of service for them.

9. Which Flyers were the last to go?

#9832 and #1620 were the last ones seen by BusHunter on 9/11/01 on #152. On 4/12/02, all Flyers remaining at FG were towed to South Shops. #9832, #9897, #9934, #9949, #9960, #1620 were possibly all the remaining Flyers.

[mikeymc77]

The thing with these (as I remember and someone commented on You Tube) is that they had German engines and drive trains. Just about any other bus of that era assembled in the U.S. had about the same drive train, whether the assembler was Gillig, Orion, [old] Flyer, TMC, etc.

Which explains why these buses nearly lasted 20 years, unlike American made junk we have today :angry:

[Busjack]

Which explains why these buses nearly lasted 20 years, unlike American made junk we have today

As far as today, it would take another 15 or so years to be sure.

If you even go to 1991 pretty purely much American CTA buses, they lasted 16-18 years. Most of the 1972-1976 New Looks again lasted about 19 years.

Of course, the Hungarian-American junk (NABIs) lasted about 5 years at most.

[cta5658]

I Have a question myself

1. what day was the last day for the M.A.N. Americanas being assigned to the 103rd Garage

[chitowndude84]

Which explains why these buses nearly lasted 20 years, unlike American made junk we have today

LOL to point that they were BADLY rusting out !!!.I remember seeing one on Howard and California like 10 years ago with BAD rust all over

[Guest]

This sound sure brings back memories! I really miss it! Reminds me of when I drove these on the 152 Addison! MAN transit bus/ZF tranny

[chitowndude84]

For me 152 Addison was the last "Americana" I rode in 2002,On the way to pick up my first car

Man talk about a memory forever !!!