trainman8119 Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 Whoa, wait a minute, I don't think CTA has enough buses on order to replace the #5800's. On 11/29 Rmadison stated 359 TMC's are left and 124 #5300's are left. We were up to around #1548 at that point. We've gained 30 New Flyers since then. So add 329 and 124 you get 453. Now add the #6000's 328 + 453 = 781. Well we only have 450 buses left to the #1000 order ,and 150 artics replacing roughly 200 buses according to reports. 450 + 200 = 650. I am getting 131 buses needing replacement just for the #6000's, so how can they replace the #5800's ? The 5800s would probably go before the 6000's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw4400 Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 REALLY? My best friend, who works at NP, said that all that is correct except for the stuff about the 5800s. He said that, after further interrogation, he was informed that the 5800s certainly won't be retired until, at the earliest, May of next year. These posts are starting to make less sense to me now. The 5800's and 6000's both recieved engine and transmission upgrades in 2004-2005. Why would they be retired just about 3-4 years later? The TMC's were rehabbed with upgrades to engines and transmissions in 2001-2002 and lasted another 6-7 years after that before their retirement was scheduled according to CTA personnell. That is throwing rehab money away, IMO. The 5800's rehabs plus the 6000's rehabs totaled over 1 million easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainman8119 Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 These posts are starting to make less sense to me now. Actually, I think a lot of the bus swapping stuff in general makes little sense, even with the explanations. However, I think (to get onto the topic at hand), the 5800's are just generally beat up a little bit more than the 6000's even with the overhauls, and, quite possibly, with new stuff coming in, it might make a little more sense than you think to send them to an early scrap heap, even if there was $$$ put into them. Now that I think about it, didn't the 5800's come in before the 6200 and 6300's ???? That could explain how they could go before the last of the Flxibles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted January 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 Actually, I think a lot of the bus swapping stuff in general makes little sense, even with the explanations. However, I think (to get onto the topic at hand), the 5800's are just generally beat up a little bit more than the 6000's even with the overhauls, and, quite possibly, with new stuff coming in, it might make a little more sense than you think to send them to an early scrap heap, even if there was $$$ put into them. Now that I think about it, didn't the 5800's come in before the 6200 and 6300's ???? That could explain how they could go before the last of the Flxibles. True, but the Cummins buses have not been rehabbed and probably will be on the chopping block before #6100's. Plus getting rid of a low floor over a high floor bus? Especially with new engines in the #5800's. Sounds like a good deal for the scrapper man :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danielsmusic Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 I think (to get onto the topic at hand), the 5800's are just generally beat up a little bit more than the 6000's even with the overhauls Might it be that the 5800s are more beat up than the 6000s because no 6000s were at NP? It seems like NP's buses always get more messed up than the buses from other garages. Maybe it's because of all the express routes; I don't know the actual reason. Whatever the reason, NPs buses seem to be in worse shape than any other garage's. Another example: the NABIs from NP are more messed up than the other NABIs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danielsmusic Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 The day the last CTA high-floor is retired will be a sad, sad day. I didn't realize that the start of the 6000s' retirement was so close. When I found out a few days ago, I was devastated. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 Might it be that the 5800s are more beat up than the 6000s because no 6000s were at NP? It seems like NP's buses always get more messed up than the buses from other garages. Maybe it's because of all the express routes; I don't know the actual reason. Whatever the reason, NPs buses seem to be in worse shape than any other garage's. Another example: the NABIs from NP are more messed up than the other NABIs. True. When the Americana's started getting transferred to NP as their numbers dropped, that's when you started to see a lot of the complaints of Americanas being so beat up. They would be in relatively good condition at say 103rd or Kedzie, but after going to NP due to an increase in the number of accessible buses, they would be falling apart in comparison after a few weeks of service at NP. The infamous "WASH ME" incident I mentioned in an earlier post some months ago happened with an Americana at NP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danielsmusic Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 True. When the Americana's started getting transferred to NP as their numbers dropped, that's when you started to see a lot of the complaints of Americanas being so beat up. They would be in relatively good condition at say 103rd or Kedzie, but after going to NP due to an increase in the number of accessible buses, they would be falling apart in comparison after a few weeks of service at NP. The infamous "WASH ME" incident I mentioned in an earlier post some months ago happened with an Americana at NP. Where is the "WASH ME" story posted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwantae Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 The 5800s would probably go before the 6000's. So is that the reason that Most of 5800s have not been installed with New LED Destination signs like all the 6000s? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwantae Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 The day the last CTA high-floor is retired will be a sad, sad day. I didn't realize that the start of the 6000s' retirement was so close. When I found out a few days ago, I was devastated. I agree, Im moving to Canada when it happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 Where is the "WASH ME" story posted? Oh I believe I posted it late last spring or early summer. I do a brief recap. Basically once NP was the final place you would find Americanas, the maintenance on them had gotten so bad that they weren't even getting washed before the drivers took them on the road. The layer of dirt had gotten so bad on one Americana, sorry I can't remember which, that someone had spelled out "WASH ME PLEASE" on the dirt that collected on the windows of the left side of the bus. The bus operated on both 145 and 146 for a week before it finally got washed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danielsmusic Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 Oh I believe I posted it late last spring or early summer. I do a brief recap. Basically once NP was the final place you would find Americanas, the maintenance on them had gotten so bad that they weren't even getting washed before the drivers took them on the road. The layer of dirt had gotten so bad on one Americana, sorry I can't remember which, that someone had spelled out "WASH ME PLEASE" on the dirt that collected on the windows of the left side of the bus. The bus operated on both 145 and 146 for a week before it finally got washed. That didn't start happening once the Americanas were on their way out. While it may have become more common, I used to see two Americanas in the late 90s that had "WASH ME" and "ONLY HERE" written on the backs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 That didn't start happening once the Americanas were on their way out. While it may have become more common, I used to see two Americanas in the late 90s that had "WASH ME" and "ONLY HERE" written on the backs. Okay. I wasn't saying it started happening once the Americanas were on the way out. The point is I was agreeing with you about how maintenance at NP seems to be so lacking compared to at other garages, and where were the Americanas when they were on the way out? That was just one example I was giving to make that point. Do I get to agree with you for once on one issue without it becoming a debate on a different issue? Your pointing out that it became more common proves my point and yours if you think about it. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwantae Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 Also #6514 was on Addison yesterday afternoon. It sounds like #6505 - #6516 have been swapped to Forest Glen. I seen #6503 on 29 yesterday so 77th still has #6408 - #6503. Don't know the status of #6504. All I know is that today, I've spotted #6505 working #77 Belmont westbound at Western this afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danielsmusic Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 Okay. I wasn't saying it started happening once the Americanas were on the way out. The point is I was agreeing with you about how maintenance at NP seems to be so lacking compared to at other garages, and where were the Americanas when they were on the way out? That was just one example I was giving to make that point. Do I get to agree with you for once on one issue without it becoming a debate on a different issue? Your pointing out that it became more common proves my point and yours if you think about it. Yeah, you're right. Also, what's with the "Do I get to agree with you for once on one issue without it becoming a debate on a different issue"? I don't understand. I don't remember having any serious disagreements with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted February 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 That didn't start happening once the Americanas were on their way out. While it may have become more common, I used to see two Americanas in the late 90s that had "WASH ME" and "ONLY HERE" written on the backs. North Park and Forest Glen have some of the dirtiest exteriors at CTA. (especially when salt is on the streets) This has been happening for years. I can remember fishbowls and #5300's looking like the Americanas. I think this is because they are both outdoor facilities. Think about it, how can you wash a bus when it is 10 degrees out. In an indoor facility, the buses would just drip on the warmer floor of the indoor garage, but at NP and the Glen you would create an "ice capades" effect throughout the garage. This is hazardous and dangerous. Until CTA invests the money to make these indoor facilities this will continue to happen. On the other hand Kedzie has the cleanest exteriors (indoor facility) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted February 3, 2008 Report Share Posted February 3, 2008 Yeah, you're right. Also, what's with the "Do I get to agree with you for once on one issue without it becoming a debate on a different issue"? I don't understand. I don't remember having any serious disagreements with you. Yes. That's true. You haven't. Only some minor civil debates here and there. That was some lack of sleep because of work talking. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted February 3, 2008 Report Share Posted February 3, 2008 North Park and Forest Glen have some of the dirtiest exteriors at CTA. (especially when salt is on the streets) This has been happening for years. I can remember fishbowls and #5300's looking like the Americanas. I think this is because they are both outdoor facilities. Think about it, how can you wash a bus when it is 10 degrees out. In an indoor facility, the buses would just drip on the warmer floor of the indoor garage, but at NP and the Glen you would create an "ice capades" effect throughout the garage. This is hazardous and dangerous. Until CTA invests the money to make these indoor facilities this will continue to happen. On the other hand Kedzie has the cleanest exteriors (indoor facility) You're right. I was thinking about the situation with North Park being an outside facility when I put up my post. But the example I gave with the Americanas happened the summer of 2003, almost a year before their final retirement. It's should be easier to clean a bus at North Park and Forest Glen since there's no icicle factor. And yes Kedzie has been keeping its buses clean really well during the winter. About the only time I see buses from Kedzie with really dirty exteriors this time of year after a snowstorm is when they've been out on the street for most of the service day. In the early part of the day Kedzie's buses do tend to be relatively cleaner than other garage's buses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danielsmusic Posted February 3, 2008 Report Share Posted February 3, 2008 You're right. I was thinking about the situation with North Park being an outside facility when I put up my post. But the example I gave with the Americanas happened the summer of 2003, almost a year before their final retirement. It's should be easier to clean a bus at those North Park and Forest Glen since there's no icicle factor. And yes Kedzie has been keeping its buses clean really well during the winter. About the only time I see buses from Kedzie really dirty exteriors this time of year is when they've been out on the street for most of the service day. In the early part of the day Kedzie's buses do tend to be relatively cleaner than other garage's buses. NP being outside definitely has something to do with it, but a few NP operators say that the "cleaning crew" at NP doesn't do jack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danielsmusic Posted February 3, 2008 Report Share Posted February 3, 2008 You're right. I was thinking about the situation with North Park being an outside facility when I put up my post. But the example I gave with the Americanas happened the summer of 2003, almost a year before their final retirement. It's should be easier to clean a bus at those North Park and Forest Glen since there's no icicle factor. And yes Kedzie has been keeping its buses clean really well during the winter. About the only time I see buses from Kedzie really dirty exteriors this time of year is when they've been out on the street for most of the service day. In the early part of the day Kedzie's buses do tend to be relatively cleaner than other garage's buses. NP being outside definitely has something to do with it, but a few NP operators say that the "cleaning crew" at NP doesn't do jack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted February 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 You're right. I was thinking about the situation with North Park being an outside facility when I put up my post. But the example I gave with the Americanas happened the summer of 2003, almost a year before their final retirement. It's should be easier to clean a bus at North Park and Forest Glen since there's no icicle factor. That's strange you should say that. In summer all buses are pretty clean. In fact I'm impressed by FG's clean buses. Sometimes you can board and actually smell a pine smell. I'm just talking about the winter being such a pain in the butt at an outdoor facility. Working outside is no fun at 10 degrees especially if your playing with water. (that's the maintenance guy at FG) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainman8119 Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 Apparently not all of 77th's Nova's are headed to the Glen. I spotted 6405 operating on Route 53 at the terminal at Pulaski and Peterson at 1:00pm or so today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 Today I spotted Nova 6510 on the 68 NW Highway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusExpert32 Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 Apparently not all of 77th's Nova's are headed to the Glen. I spotted 6405 operating on Route 53 at the terminal at Pulaski and Peterson at 1:00pm or so today. This has been repeatedly mentioned: 6400-6407 were sent to Chicago months ago to supplement the extra service for three-track out of Chicago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainman8119 Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 This has been repeatedly mentioned: 6400-6407 were sent to Chicago months ago to supplement the extra service for three-track out of Chicago. I looked around for the posts on that before I posted it, but couldn't find it, so I went ahead and posted it anyway. As they say in the NFL..."Upon further review, we have a reversal". I found it in the archives and thank you for your reminder. :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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