SEPTA consists of over 1300 vehicles, each of these buses/trolleys/trains may be specified the same on order but after a well in service, SEPTA decides to test new equipment on these units. The New equipment could be anywhere from new propulsion systems to a new designation signs. Although not all notible oddities can be placed on this page, they are mentioned in this thread.
1981 Kawasaki B-IV DE #666
After many years in the shops, 666 came back into passenger service on Jan, 23, 2009. 666 became the first BSS train car to have an all silver (Naked) theme after the car was serverly tagged with graffitii. “Sources say that the car was so heavly tagged that removing the graffitii actually removed the orange trim”.
A week after 666 returned to service it got an orange stripe under the roof lining impersonating the appearance of an M4 car. 666 looks similar to the CW cars but if you look closely, you will see the differences. Soon after the rail rodeo of 2010, the rest of the BSL fleet received this scheme.
666 at the 2010 Rail Roadeo. Picture Taken by Tritransit Area.
SEPTA New Flyer XDE40 3095
This bus has expiremential cameras installed (On the sides facing to the rear on the exterior) as well as an Air purifer (MERV-13 Equivalent Filtration) installed on the interior. So far this is the only bus retrofitted with this Filtration system.
SEPTA Silverliner IV #280 LED signs and Wireless test
In 2010, #280 with retrofitted with a LED sign over the Operator’s cab. The sign resembles the exact same units that are mounted on the rear of the New Flyer hybrid buses. During the course of 2010, #280 was chosen to test out the new wireless recievers. After several years, the led sign on #280 was removed.
Trolleys with classic schemes
There are several trolleys which were or are in the process of being reschemed to SEPTA’s yesteryear schemes. Thus far #9000, 9100 and 106 has been reschemed in their original as-delivered schemes. These schemes were phased out by in the mid-1980s.
Experimental Seats
SEPTA buses #3290-3294 (2019 New Flyer XDE40s) were delivered with Experimental seats back in 2019. These are the only buses currently (2026) which feature these seats. These buses are currently assigned at Frankford. In early 2026, 3290 received another model of seats (Ster Seating).
Fuel Cell buses,
Back in 2023,