M.A.N Americana

[BusHunter]

I think you misunderstood me. I meant the Americanas, not the Flyers.

Now you really baffled me. Okay I'm saying I believe (I do not know) that at the 97/98 cuts there were 114 Flyers left and 334 Americanas left. On January 6th 2000 the Trib says in the paper 337 Americanas 113 Flyers but in a paper in 2003 they state 115 Flyers. So my guess is their figures are approximate. I'm just saying my numbers are what I've witnessed myself. This is my personal count.

[Danielsmusic]

I'll post them tomorrow okay. I'll put them under a new post "History of Flyer buses (#9800's)" I will give you complete retirement info on these as well as the garage assignments post 1997-98 okay. You know I really like your paper buses Dan. If you could put a few more out like the #9800's or anything I would like this very much. I have several lists I'd be happy to pass along here on my end. I'm not a good artist like you or jesi2282. could you PLEASE PLEASE make me more paper buses?

Sure. If you want a high-res 4000, 5300, or 9800 with specific run#/bus#/route#, let me know. Also, I can do whichever paint job you want.

[BusHunter]

Sure. If you want a high-res 4000, 5300, or 9800 with specific run#/bus#/route#, let me know. Also, I can do whichever paint job you want.

how about 1620 in the red/white/blue livery with an #152 Addison sign you could set the destination to Cumberland. I don't care about the run so much a 600 run will do. If you think you are up to the challenge you could also make #9974 but please note all window frames on the side of the bus along with the rear window are black painted.you could make that an Irving park bus to cumberland any run Red/white/blue livery please. How about 5746 for a 5300 bus. set it to archer Red/white/blue livery. How fast can you put this out?

[Danielsmusic]

how about 1620 in the red/white/blue livery with an #152 Addison sign you could set the destination to Cumberland. I don't care about the run so much a 600 run will do. If you think you are up to the challenge you could also make #9974 but please note all window frames on the side of the bus along with the rear window are black painted.you could make that an Irving park bus to cumberland any run Red/white/blue livery please. How about 5746 for a 5300 bus. set it to archer Red/white/blue livery. How fast can you put this out?

Probably two days.

[BusHunter]

In case you guys were wondering what Americanas were at FG. I have a list of the non accessible buses there at that period. (July 2001) I counted 36 Americanas they were #4065, #4113, #4121, #4130, #4140, #4144 - #4150, #4157, #4284, #4291, #4294, #4299, #4301, #4303, #4305, #4310, #4311, #4313, #4314, #4315, #4319, #4321, #4326,#4328, #4330, #4333, #4344, #4351,#4352, #4355, and #4358. Alot of former 103rd buses huh.(23) My final list (scroll up) only has a few final Americanas originally from 103rd. forest Glen must have retired alot of those. Also, if you are interested in the Flyer buses that were left in July 2001 here they are all 28 of them #1604, #1606, #1610, #1611, #1613, #1620, #1621, #9800, #9830, #9832, #9837, #9839, #9850, #9851, #9890, #9891, #9895, #9896, #9907, #9908, #9914, #9921, #9935, #9937, #9940, #9961, #9969, and #9970.

[Guest]

In case you guys were wondering what Americanas were at FG. I have a list of the non accessible buses there at that period. (July 2001) I counted 36 Americanas they were #4065, #4113, #4121, #4130, #4140, #4144 - #4150, #4157, #4284, #4291, #4294, #4299, #4301, #4303, #4305, #4310, #4311, #4313, #4314, #4315, #4319, #4321, #4326,#4328, #4330, #4333, #4344, #4351,#4352, #4355, and #4358. Alot of former 103rd buses huh.(23) My final list (scroll up) only has a few final Americanas originally from 103rd. forest Glen must have retired alot of those. Also, if you are interested in the Flyer buses that were left in July 2001 here they are all 28 of them #1604, #1606, #1610, #1611, #1613, #1620, #1621, #9800, #9830, #9832, #9837, #9839, #9850, #9851, #9890, #9891, #9895, #9896, #9907, #9908, #9914, #9921, #9935, #9937, #9940, #9961, #9969, and #9970.

The Flyer I remember CTA #9844. The bus was assigned to FG back around 1986 after it left Beverly. I still remember the window decal had "F" and "B". The bus had a Cummins diesel instead of the Detroit. It had a cool sound, the bus sounded very similar to the 3700 Milwaukee Orions. I remember back in high school my dad had #9844 on the 76 Diversey. It was cool seeing him driving the bus and listening to that Cummins diesel. It was an awesome bus! I had the opportunity a few years later to drive it out of Kedzie but by then it was reequipped with the Detroit Diesel so it sounded like the rest of the Flyers. Unfortunately around 2000 it was involved in a serious crash with a cement truck on the west side, the bus was never seen in service again.

[busride29]

So far last two years, I've seen that Unknown serie former CTA M.A.N. bus sitting abandon boarded up windows and doors under the green line tracks at E.61st and S. Calumet Ave. accross the former housing project. That poor bus!!!

I miss the hell out of them buses. I was six years old when they were delivered, and I considered them the new buses until the 44's came out. :lol:

[Danielsmusic]

Probably two days.

It'll be an extra two days because my computer crashed.

[BusHunter]

It'll be an extra two days because my computer crashed.

It's OK. Take the whole weekend if you need it.

[BusHunter]

The Flyer I remember CTA #9844. The bus was assigned to FG back around 1986 after it left Beverly. I still remember the window decal had "F" and "B". The bus had a Cummins diesel instead of the Detroit. It had a cool sound, the bus sounded very similar to the 3700 Milwaukee Orions. I remember back in high school my dad had #9844 on the 76 Diversey. It was cool seeing him driving the bus and listening to that Cummins diesel. It was an awesome bus! I had the opportunity a few years later to drive it out of Kedzie but by then it was reequipped with the Detroit Diesel so it sounded like the rest of the Flyers. Unfortunately around 2000 it was involved in a serious crash with a cement truck on the west side, the bus was never seen in service again.

If you're interested at one point 3 or 4 Flyers had digital destination signs. #9822,#9898, #9973 and #9974. This was in the late 1980's. I guess eventually they failed and traditional rollsigns were put back in.

[jajuan]

If you're interested at one point 3 or 4 Flyers had digital destination signs. #9822,#9898, #9973 and #9974. This was in the late 1980's. I guess eventually they failed and traditional rollsigns were put back in.

I remember the digital destination sign on 9974. I rode that bus a few times on the 85 Central route while in my junior year of high school which was during 1991 and 1992. At the time, it still had the tinted windows reminicent of an Americana as mentioned in earliier posts. I also remember the drive train it had at the time made it sound so similar to an Americana. I don't remember 9973's digital sign as much because I didn't see it as much as 9974. I have vague memories of 9822 from seeing it on the 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[BusHunter]

remember the digital destination sign on 9974. I rode that bus a few times on the 85 Central route while in my junior year of high school which was during 1991 and 1992. At the time, it still had the tinted windows reminicent of an Americana as mentioned in earliier posts. I also remember the drive train it had at the time made it sound so similar to an Americana. I don't remember 9973's digital sign as much because I didn't see it as much as 9974. I have vague memories of 9822 from seeing it on the 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Wow! What tinted windows on Americanas? As far as #9974, I don't remember the drive train, but I never had a chance to ride #9974 until it was at FG again for two or three weeks in early 2001. I always wanted to ride it but could never find it. ( I needed BusTracker bad) At 77th (years early 1990's to 2001) it seemed like it was always in the shop. Before 1990 when it was at FG I was too young to go out and busfan. You say you saw it in 91-92 huh. I always thought it and #9973 left for 77th ahead of the other #9900's in the late 1980's because I never seen it at FG after that except in 2001. Maybe I'm wrong if your positive you saw it.

[jajuan]

Wow! What tinted windows on Americanas? As far as #9974, I don't remember the drive train, but I never had a chance to ride #9974 until it was at FG again for two or three weeks in early 2001. I always wanted to ride it but could never find it. ( I needed BusTracker bad) At 77th (years early 1990's to 2001) it seemed like it was always in the shop. Before 1990 when it was at FG I was too young to go out and busfan. You say you saw it in 91-92 huh. I always thought it and #9973 left for 77th ahead of the other #9900's in the late 1980's because I never seen it at FG after that except in 2001. Maybe I'm wrong if your positive you saw it.

The Americanas windows were tinted brown or a bluish like color. I remember the brown tint on Kedzie's Americanas and the blue tent on those at NP and 103rd. Yes I'm positive that t was 9974 I rode. I only lived in the FG service area from 1990 to 1992. It was my junior year that I rode 9974.

[BusHunter]

The Americanas windows were tinted brown or a bluish like color. I remember the brown tint on Kedzie's Americanas and the blue tent on those at NP and 103rd. Yes I'm positive that t was 9974 I rode. I only lived in the FG service area from 1990 to 1992. It was my junior year that I rode 9974.

I remember a few tinted windows on a handful of Americanas at Kedzie, but the tinted window was on the inside of the bus where the priority seating was (on the front right side). Anyway I have a question maybe you can help me with. #4041 and #4290 both had what looked like were air conditioning boxes on the roof of their vehicles. Did these buses at one time have air conditioning?

[jajuan]

I remember a few tinted windows on a handful of Americanas at Kedzie, but the tinted window was on the inside of the bus where the priority seating was (on the front right side). Anyway I have a question maybe you can help me with. #4041 and #4290 both had what looked like were air conditioning boxes on the roof of their vehicles. Did these buses at one time have air conditioning?

I remember the units you're talking about. I believe someone on a previous post stated that those units were supposed to be an experiment in air conditioning, but like the rest those two were never really air conditioned. They served more so as heating units. If you'll remember, the unit on 4290 was removed. The unit on 4041 remained during its remaining service life up to retirement.

[twyztdmynd]

I remember the units you're talking about. I believe someone on a previous post stated that those units were supposed to be an experiment in air conditioning, but like the rest those two were never really air conditioned. They served more so as heating units. If you'll remember, the unit on 4290 was removed. The unit on 4041 remained during its remaining service life up to retirement.

I remember late 90's riding the 151 to Howard. It was an americana but it had A/C. It was during the Chicago Air Show. I remember it cause the driver said he could not turn it (the a/c) off! It was a rare sight and sound of teeth chattering on a CTA. It was so cold and damp, We had to get off early and catch a later artic to Howard. Aahhhhh. from the freezer into the fire. I was about 16 years old but still sure it was an americana.

[jajuan]

I remember late 90's riding the 151 to Howard. It was an americana but it had A/C. It was during the Chicago Air Show. I remember it cause the driver said he could not turn it (the a/c) off! It was a rare sight and sound of teeth chattering on a CTA. It was so cold and damp, We had to get off early and catch a later artic to Howard. Aahhhhh. from the freezer into the fire. I was about 16 years old but still sure it was an americana.

Are you sure about that. Americanas weren't air-conditioned. Flx-5300s were CTA's first air conditioned buses. The units on top of 4041 and 4290(before it was torn off at an underpass on LSD) were rumored to be experiments in air-conditioners but never worked as such. They were basically heating units during winter, and like on the other Americanas were climate controlled and could not be controlled by the driver. That's the only thing temp-wise I ever heard a driver say he couldn't control on an Americana. During the summer, the windows and the top emergency exits always had to be propped open to get any kind of air and ventilation. In the 90s, only The Flx models, 5300s and 6000s were air-conditioned. The Buses section states it as well as Bill V's Bus site.

[BusHunter]

Are you sure about that. Americanas weren't air-conditioned. Flx-5300s were CTA's first air conditioned buses. The units on top of 4041 and 4290(before it was torn off at an underpass on LSD) were rumored to be experiments in air-conditioners but never worked as such. They were basically heating units during winter, and like on the other Americanas were climate controlled and could not be controlled by the driver. That's the only thing temp-wise I ever heard a driver say he couldn't control on an Americana. During the summer, the windows and the top emergency exits always had to be propped open to get any kind of air and ventilation. In the 90s, only The Flx models, 5300s and 6000s were air-conditioned. The Buses section states it as well as Bill V's Bus site.

Actually the #800's (#800 - #804) and #3240's (#3240 -#3244) were CTA's first air conditioned buses back in 1965. Later A/C equipped buses were the fishbowl #1000's, #7400's, #9000's and #9600's. Some of these had automatic air. One of the hangups on these would be that the system would overheat and by default result in a heating bus in the summer. Many of the windows were sealed making things most unpleasent. (I also heard the driver's windows were sealed on these initially but I don't know if that's true or not!!) Later in the early 80's sliding windows were ordered and installed on these so people could get some air. Also the #7000's and #7100's had A/C. Some #7100's had A/C as late as the early 90's. Around this time CTA abandoned rehabbing the A/C on the #7100's and they became rolling saunas, but alot of times windows would be propped open. In today's age the problem seems to be the exact opposite buses are bought with sealed windows and all buses with sliding windows like #6000's have a hex screw in there window handles screwed down so the windows are inoperable. FG evens goes as far as driving a screw in the upper part of the windows on #6800's so they can't be opened either. Strange how time changes things. :huh:

[jajuan]

Actually the #800's (#800 - #804) and #3240's (#3240 -#3244) were CTA's first air conditioned buses back in 1965. Later A/C equipped buses were the fishbowl #1000's, #7400's, #9000's and #9600's. Some of these had automatic air. One of the hangups on these would be that the system would overheat and by default result in a heating bus in the summer. Many of the windows were sealed making things most unpleasent. (I also heard the driver's windows were sealed on these initially but I don't know if that's true or not!!) Later in the early 80's sliding windows were ordered and installed on these so people could get some air. Also the #7000's and #7100's had A/C. Some #7100's had A/C as late as the early 90's. Around this time CTA abandoned rehabbing the A/C on the #7100's and they became rolling saunas, but alot of times windows would be propped open. In today's age the problem seems to be the exact opposite buses are bought with sealed windows and all buses with sliding windows like #6000's have a hex screw in there window handles screwed down so the windows are inoperable. FG evens goes as far as driving a screw in the upper part of the windows on #6800's so they can't be opened either. Strange how time changes things.

I was speaking of in recent days that most people using the CTA would remember. Though I was born early enough to remember the A/C along with the original sealed windows on the fishbowls when I was a small kid. I should have said the Flx-5300s were the first air-conditioned buses in about 20 yrs. I remember when they were touted as CTA's first buses with A/C and chuckling because that wasn't the case remembering those on the fishbowls. First present-day models with A/C at the time would have been more accurate, in terms of manufacture year.

[pudgym29]

[big edit]

(I also heard the driver's windows were sealed on these initially but I don't know if that's true or not!!) Later in the early 80's sliding windows were ordered and installed on these so people could get some air.

Ha ha ha. No, no, no. The driver always had a window he | she could open in case he | she needed to make a hand turn signal. But on many of the New Look buses with air conditioning, that openable window was the size of your contemporary computer's monitor (i.e. very small).

The 1000s windows were muscle-powered exclusively. Somebody had to physicially shoulder it in order to open it.

Somebody at CTA decided that this was too worrisome in case of an actual emergency. The 7400s and 9000s had levers at the center of each window which, when cantilevered, allowed the windows to flip open.

My understanding is that when Ronald Reagan was elected and began serving in 1981, one of the "regulations" which was vacated was that which many transit agencies, including the CTA, interpreted as, 'you could not receive funding from UMTA or DOT for a transit vehicle which did not have air conditioning'.

And so, soon afterward, CTA ordered buses from a Canadian manufacturer [Flyer?] which had openable windows and were not air conditioned.

[BusHunter]

Ha ha ha. No, no, no. The driver always had a window he | she could open in case he | she needed to make a hand turn signal. But on many of the New Look buses with air conditioning, that openable window was the size of your contemporary computer's monitor (i.e. very small).

The 1000s windows were muscle-powered exclusively. Somebody had to physicially shoulder it in order to open it.

Somebody at CTA decided that this was too worrisome in case of an actual emergency. The 7400s and 9000s had levers at the center of each window which, when cantilevered, allowed the windows to flip open.

My understanding is that when Ronald Reagan was elected and began serving in 1981, one of the "regulations" which was vacated was that which many transit agencies, including the CTA, interpreted as, 'you could not receive funding from UMTA or DOT for a transit vehicle which did not have air conditioning'.

And so, soon afterward, CTA ordered buses from a Canadian manufacturer [Flyer?] which had openable windows and were not air conditioned.

Your right on that. The drivers window was something I read in error. That's why if you notice I said I don't know if that's true or not because i didn't remember it and doubted it's validation. At least it was good for a laugh. Anyway remember the phones in the early 80's at the terminals that when a driver was to leave he'd make a call on. He'd be getting a lot of exercise with a unopenable window. :o

[trainman8119]

One thing you may be thinking of here, is that the original a/c fishbowls (1000-1524 and 7400-7944) had driver windows that slid open front to middle and back to middle. When the 9000 series buses arrived, there were two openable windows that were under a larger unopenable window. About all you could do with those was adjust the mirror. I believe that was in response to people whining about drivers have open windows for themselves when the a/c was out. Eventually, the standard window replaced those "vented" type of windows on those buses.

[BusHunter]

One thing you may be thinking of here, is that the original a/c fishbowls (1000-1524 and 7400-7944) had driver windows that slid open front to middle and back to middle. When the 9000 series buses arrived, there were two openable windows that were under a larger unopenable window. About all you could do with those was adjust the mirror. I believe that was in response to people whining about drivers have open windows for themselves when the a/c was out. Eventually, the standard window replaced those "vented" type of windows on those buses.

Yeah, that must be it. As you were explaining it above it all came to me. I've seen those windows. Drivers would stick there left hand out the window to get some air. That's about all you could do, because the windows were lucky if they were four to six inches top to bottom. Thanks for jarring my memory!! :huh:

[Guest]

Heres a nice soundbite of the old MAN buses. Im sure many of us still remember the cool sound of our CTA 4000s. This clip comes from a MAN transit bus in service in Australia.

Enjoy!

[chitowndude84]

Heres a nice soundbite of the old MAN buses. Im sure many of us still remember the cool sound of our CTA 4000s. This clip comes from a MAN transit bus in service in Australia.

Enjoy! http://www.youtube.c...yer_profilepage

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.