What's left for #5300 Flxibles

[Buslover88]

Five more 5300s added to the retirement list - 5361, 5407, 5434, 5625 and 5646

Now there are only 33 left assigned to Chicago.

The number of Flxibles is getting less and less. I have better ride one soon.

[Busjack]

Five more 5300s added to the retirement list - 5361, 5407, 5434, 5625 and 5646

Now there are only 33 left assigned to Chicago.

If or how are they being replaced? Fewer 3 track runs, or other junk (TMCs) being transferred?

[greenstreet]

If or how are they being replaced? Fewer 3 track runs, or other junk (TMCs) being transferred?

In the last two weeks (random comparison date I selected), Chicago has lost nine 5300s and received eight 1000s from 103rd, so the total assigned buses there have stayed at 273-274. Systemwide, TMCs have gone down from 79 to 61. North Park no longer has any. (77th has 27 and 103rd has 34)

[Busjack]

In the last two weeks (random comparison date I selected), Chicago has lost nine 5300s and received eight 1000s from 103rd, so the total assigned buses there have stayed at 273-274.

trainman would be pleased. But, I guess this is not unexpected. But they couldn't just send 8 1800s directly from the factory to Chicago (and then given them to 103 when 3 track ends)?

North Park no longer has any.

Which will appear strange, in that NP consistently had them for 17 years (and probably more consistently than any other garage). We'll just have to get used to seeing NFs nearly everywhere.

[greenstreet]

trainman would be pleased. But, I guess this is not unexpected. But they couldn't just send 8 1800s directly from the factory to Chicago (and then given them to 103 when 3 track ends)?

You would think. It seems the 1000s that Chicago has received from 103rd are not the newest arrivals - they are around 1420s-1430s.

EDIT: This post is missing important info and is unclear. (I should read more carefully before I hit submit!)

It should read:

It seems the 1000s that Chicago has received from 103rd and North Park are not the newest arrivals - they are around 1420s-1430s. (I meant numbers in the 1420s [1420-1429] and 1430s [1430-1439] because I couldn't remember if Chicago's previous count went up to 1427 or 1429. I didn't mean to imply those were the specific new additions to Chicago. Sorry for the confusion.)

Here are the 1000s at Chicago as of 10/6 -

1000-1081, 1320-1432, 1434-1437 and 1439. Obviously, the evens came from 103rd and the odds from NP.

[Guest]

CTA's retired buses either get scrapped, used as work buses by CTA maintenance personnel, or in the case of those that have managed to make it to the Bus and Rail Museum have their drive shafts removed to render them inoperable before being placed on display. A picture of MAN 4255 was posted a while ago showing it being used as a workbus at the Skokie Shops. A few TMC 4900s, Flyer 9800s, GMC fishbowls, and old Flxibles from the 1960s have also been used as work buses. There is also a former 4900 being used by the Chicago Police Department and a Fishbowl that was given to the Fire Department some years ago.

Chicago PD now has a Flxible 5300 in its inventory. Chicago Fire Dept. had an ex7400 series fishbowl but it was wrecked about the time I entered the academy. It was briefly replaced by a school bus and eventually an ex4900 TMC. The CFD bus still has the two by two seats, the run box is still there as well as the destination signs which have the routes still programmed in it. All thats missing is the farebox and the interior ads, the bus was pretty much left untouched. A fire dept radio also was added.

[BusHunter]

You would think. It seems the 1000s that Chicago has received from 103rd are not the newest arrivals - they are around 1420s-1430s.

Chicago has always had #1420 - #1429. These eight buses from 103rd would have to be evens starting with #1430 which would mean #1430 - #1444 (evens) If this is true I would expect NP to lose the odds in that number sequence as well. It would be to confusing to maintain a garage fleet that is partial evens / partial complete number sequences.

[BusHunter]

Chicago Fire Dept. had an ex7400 series fishbowl but it was wrecked about the time I entered the academy.

I think that was #7576 if my memory is correct.

[Busjack]

Chicago has always had #1420 - #1429.

Which sort of puts doubt in the original report, so I shouldn't have made the reference to swaps so soon.

[BusHunter]

Which sort of puts doubt in the original report, so I shouldn't have made the reference to swaps so soon.

It's just that the info is up to date as of this week. He probably just made an error in fleet numbers. As soon as last friday there were TMC's out of NP. #4543 was on the #36. Although you would think the loss of 8 #1000's at 103rd would translate to more buses needed there. Maybe it's just consolidation.

[greenstreet]

Chicago has always had #1420 - #1429. These eight buses from 103rd would have to be evens starting with #1430 which would mean #1430 - #1444 (evens) If this is true I would expect NP to lose the odds in that number sequence as well. It would be to confusing to maintain a garage fleet that is partial evens / partial complete number sequences.

Good catch. I corrected my bad post above. (I need to proof more carefully)

Here are the 1000s at Chicago as of 10/6 -

1000-1081, 1320-1432, 1434-1437 and 1439. Obviously, the evens came from 103rd and the odds from NP. (The list I saw showed bus number 1438 at both Chicago and 103rd, but the math indicates that it is still at 103rd.)

[BusHunter]

Good catch. I corrected my bad post above. (I need to proof more carefully)

Here are the 1000s at Chicago as of 10/6 -

1000-1081, 1320-1432, 1434-1437 and 1439. Obviously, the evens came from 103rd and the odds from NP. (The list I saw showed bus number 1438 at both Chicago and 103rd, but the math indicates that it is still at 103rd.)

Thanks for the correction. I was somewhat surprised to see #1439 on the #76 yesterday. It being from NP. #1438 and #1433 will end up at Chicago most likely in the future. The fat lady may be getting ready to sing on the #5300's soon. With the end of #1000 deliveries close at NP and 103rd, it seems now the #5300's would retire along side them and Chicago would receive more and more #1000's from Np and 103rd. I'm starting to really appreciate any #5300 sightings. It seems the #54/#X54 corridor still has a few rolling around. I seen #5687, #5529, #5766 all in the same 8 blocks. It was like I was back in 1991.

[qwantae]

Chicago PD now has a Flxible 5300 in its inventory. Chicago Fire Dept. had an ex7400 series fishbowl but it was wrecked about the time I entered the academy. It was briefly replaced by a school bus and eventually an ex4900 TMC. The CFD bus still has the two by two seats, the run box is still there as well as the destination signs which have the routes still programmed in it. All thats missing is the farebox and the interior ads, the bus was pretty much left untouched. A fire dept radio also was added.

I seen more Flyer D901s(my poor buses) at 77th Scrapyard, so its no longer a "Work bus"? Last time I saw one was in Downtown at Balbo and State last Febuary 2007. I'm gonna miss them, Toronto TTC been just retired their 1985-86 D901s early this year.

[qwantae]

Thanks for the correction. I was somewhat surprised to see #1439 on the #76 yesterday. It being from NP. #1438 and #1433 will end up at Chicago most likely in the future. The fat lady may be getting ready to sing on the #5300's soon. With the end of #1000 deliveries close at NP and 103rd, it seems now the #5300's would retire along side them and Chicago would receive more and more #1000's from Np and 103rd. I'm starting to really appreciate any #5300 sightings. It seems the #54/#X54 corridor still has a few rolling around. I seen #5687, #5529, #5766 all in the same 8 blocks. It was like I was back in 1991.

WOW, 5529 is still kickin it, I used to ride that thing almost everyday on #28/15 from 103rd. I gotta find that bus, I miss it. :D

[Buslover88]

I was somewhat surprised to see #1439 on the #76 yesterday. It being from NP. #1438 and #1433 will end up at Chicago most likely in the future.

I was surprised to see 1434 on #76 Diversey yesterday, considering it was from NP. I also think 1433 and 1438 may come to Chicago now as well.

The fat lady may be getting ready to sing on the #5300's soon. With the end of #1000 deliveries close at NP and 103rd, it seems now the #5300's would retire along side them and Chicago would receive more and more #1000's from Np and 103rd. I'm starting to really appreciate any #5300 sightings.

I think so too, and when that time comes, I will miss every single Flxible (1991) i've ever seen or rode on. I am also really appreciating any 5300 sighting as well, and later today (after school), I will be riding #76 Diversey just to catch a Flxible.

[Buslover88]

I rode 5744 today on #76 Diversey to Harlem. It was a very nice ride despite all of the traffic today. I will miss it alot once it's retired.

[qwantae]

It seems the #54/#X54 corridor still has a few rolling around. I seen #5687, #5529, #5766 all in the same 8 blocks. It was like I was back in 1991.

It reminded me back in 1992, when I was living in Michigan at the time coming visit Chicago via I-94 entering Stony Island, I've seen 5 of 5300s working #28 Stony Island on a Sunday between 79th and 71st Northbound in a afternoon. Man I miss those days, that was when I used to seen Fishbowls and MAN Americanas accross Stony Island working routes #75, #71, #67, then seeing MAN 7100s on Old #6 Jeffery Express at 67th/ Stony Island. Then after that, I was on my way to the Lincoln Park Zoo, there on Stockton I used to see bunch of my favorite buses: TMCs operate #151 Sheridan Bunching, then other bunching Flyer D901s operate #156 LaSalle Then later year, MAN Americanas operating Old local #145.

[nflyer22]

I know this is an odd question to ask, but I'm wayy behind in my time to ride a Flxible, and I guess I've been procrastinating until now to ride one before they're gone...Are they common on the X54 or any certain Chicago route? Gotta ride one soon... Thanks for your help out there. :)

[rmadisonwi]

I've seen a bunch on Diversey (both old and "new" Flxibles) of late.

[nflyer22]

I've seen a bunch on Diversey (both old and "new" Flxibles) of late.

Ok, nice to hear that, thanks so much, gonna head out this Friday afternoon and test my luck! :)

[BusHunter]

September's update brings the total to 46 left. Chicago now has #5347, #5362, #5402, #5407, #5434, #5442, #5445, #5449, #5462, #5464, #5478, #5490 - #5492, #5511, #5520, #5529, #5555, #5559, #5560, #5571, #5574, #5575, #5578, #5596, #5601, #5602, #5607, #5618, #5625, #5643, #5645, #5646, #5652, #5662, #5680, #5682, #5687, #5696, #5702, #5709, #5710, #5743, #5744, #5766 and #5769. retired in the last two months are #5381, #5417, #5436, #5454, #5457, #5460, #5471, #5472, #5476, #5485, #5493, #5528, #5531, #5541, #5544, #5553, #5569, #5588, #5600, #5610, #5622, #5624, #5629, #5632, #5636, #5664, #5684, #5688, #5689, #5717 and #5742. All #5300's are now gone from 103rd garage.

October's update takes us down to 33 left. Chicago now has #5347, #5362, #5442, #5445, #5448, #5449, #5462, #5478, #5491, #5492, #5520, #5529, #5555, #5559, #5571, #5574, #5578, #5596, #5601, #5618, #5643, #5645, #5652, #5662, #5680, #5682, #5687, #5696, #5702, #5709, #5744, #5766 and #5769. Retired are #5402, #5407, #5434, #5464, #5490, #5511, #5560, #5575, #5602, #5607, #5625, #5646, #5710 and #5743.

[Buslover88]

October's update takes us down to 33 left. Chicago now has #5347, #5362, #5442, #5445, #5448, #5449, #5462, #5478, #5491, #5492, #5520, #5529, #5555, #5559, #5571, #5574, #5578, #5596, #5601, #5618, #5643, #5645, #5652, #5662, #5680, #5682, #5687, #5696, #5702, #5709, #5744, #5766 and #5769.

Good to see that #5478, #5491, #5492 and #5744 are still around.

Retired are #5402, #5407, #5434, #5464, #5490, #5511, #5560, #5575, #5602, #5607, #5625, #5646, #5710 and #5743.

5402 - I remember seeing this bus used on #76 Diversey alot this past summer. It was nice to have a working A/C, 5402. I'll miss you.

5464 - I used to see this bus alot on the tracker operating #20 Madison, so it was nice to be able to look at it on the tracker. It was also nice to see it in service on #53 Pulaski last month. I'll miss you as well.

5710 - I rode this bus just two months ago on #76 Diversey and it was still kind of speedy, considering it's age. I'll miss you as well, 5710.

Farewell to all of these hard working Flxibles. You'll be missed alot!

[cta 5555]

Yea and i drove all them. within the last 4 to 6 weeks. I think i was the last one to drive 5464. I had it on chicago av one morning then the nextday it was back in back. i ws kind of sad about it.

[geneking7320]

Yesterday I saw a Flxible Metro on Plymouth parked south of Jackson.

It was a Chicago Police bus and numbered 6999. Looking at the rear you could see this was a former

CTA 5300. Unfortunately I didn't have a camera.

Gene King

[cta 5555]

Well i have some bad news. We can add 3 more good buses to the bye bye list.5555 5682 and 5769. Were park in the deadline today. I will miss driving 5555 very much.