1996 NABI 416.08TA #5251
In early 2005 5251 was chosen to be a pilot bus for the Luminator Horizon sign, both front and side signs were replaced with this sign, all NABI’s were slated to recieve the new orange LED sign, however was turned down since the NABI’s were mid-way close to retirement. 5251 was assigned to the Midvale District and was retired in July of 2011.
1963 Budd Silverliner II #269
The Silverliner II’s were purchased by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) in 1963. 269 is the only Silverliner II to retain the “PENNSYLVANIA” letterbords. Not only is the car a oddity on the exterior but also on the interior. This car has brown pleather seats that date back to the PRR days. These seats almost match the the ones that are used in the push and pull passenger cars. 218 is another Silverliner II that has only “LVANIA” exposed on one side. On February 10th 2012 269 was retired at Robert’s Yard. All Silverliner IIs’ along with Silverliner IIIs’ have been scrapped and replaced with Silverliner Vs
1989 Neoplan AN-440A 3440-3449
3440-3449 was originally delivered to Southern. In the early 1990s, these buses were sent to Callowhill for 3167-3176. These 10 buses were used on the Route 76 “Ben-Frank-LINE”. They had Kite Decals applied and the designation sign retrofitted (Luminator Super Matrix MAX) like those on NJT Flxible. After the buses were removed from the route 76 in the Mid-1990s, these signs were disabled and covered up with SEPTA logos. All remaining neoplans along with the “Ben-Frank-LINE” buses included were retired from service at Midvale on June 20th, 2008.
1987 Neoplan AN-440A EB #3200
Neoplan #3200 was chosen in the late 1990s to be the test bus for the Twin Vision Green Flip Dot sign. This sign was similar to the model used on Cutaways 2056-2069, the ElDorados and the Neoplan Artics. Around 2001, 3200 had its sign changed to the Twin Vision ALL-LED Amber (orange) like the sign on 7101 and the New Flyer fleet. This bus was scrapped in August of 2004, and in the photo, is seen in some of its last service.
1989 Neoplan AN-440A EZ #3414
In 1994, Neoplan #3414 had undergone retrofit of a DD50 engine and Allison transmission. The purpose of this retrofit is to evaluate the performance the powertrain for the future 400 bus order (the American Ikarus / NABI fleet). The powertrain was used and 3414 forever became unique as it sounded like an NABI but in-fact a Neoplan. Because of the larger engine, the back row was moved up resulting in a lost of two seats. When this bus was retired from service, it had less than 250,000 miles on it, most likely due to the powertrain unique to this bus.
1989 Neoplan AN-440A EZ Suburban #3450
3450 is an Oddball given to the distinctive smaller destination sign area. This bus may have been involved in an accident with heavy front end damage and as result needed the sign replaced. So as result, 3450 became a distinctive Neoplan.
1985 Volvo B-10 #8590
Volvo B-10 #8590 was the only 40 foot Volvo in-service at SEPTA. Built in 1985 to Rhode Island (RIPTA) Specifications but, was rejected by RIPTA and was sent to Allegheny to run on their routes. This bus has accrued low mileage over the years which and was rarely seen. There were only 50 of these units built in North America; the rest of the 49 went to RIPTA. In March of 2009, 8590 made a come back to Philly at the berridge overhaul shops to recieve a fresh coat of paint and new livery stripe stickers. During Hurricane Irene the Hershey Bus museum sustained heavy flood waters, 8590 recieved heavy flood damage. Unfortnately, given to the extent of the damage, the bus was sold as scrap.
8590 at the 1994 SEPTA Bus Roadeo. Collection of Doug Diehl
Neoplan AN-460 OQ #7101
7101 is the only Neoplan AN-460 OQ to have a Twin Vision ALL – LED Amber (orange) destination sign. This sign was installed in 2000/2001 to test the new sign. This new sign ended up on all future bus orders starting with the 2001 New Flyers. 7101 is obvious on approach as it looks like you’re seeing a New Flyer coming but you notice it doesn’t look like one. In August of 2008 7101 and 30 other artics were assigned to Comly depot to run on route 14. 7101 was retrofitted back to a flipdot LED block sign after numourous attempts to make the orange LED block function properly failed.
7101 at Frankford Transportation Center on the 14. Photo by Daryl Jackson
2001 Eldorado National Transmark RE-29 #4503
4503 and 4526 were the first Eldorado’s to be overhauled. During their overhauls, these buses received Twin Vision ALL-LED Amber (orange) destination signs. There were only two buses that received them during their overhaul. In Mid December 2010 4526 was retired from the Frontier district. 4503 is still in service and sees rare service on the 310 Horsham Breeze shuttle. 4503 is assigned to Germantown.
1996 ABB ALP-44M #2308
2308 was delivered to SEPTA in 1996 for a damage settlement for late deliveries of the 1993-4 N-5 cars. 2308 is a double ended locomotive that hauls the push and pull passengers cars during rush hour on the regional rail lines. Although 2308 is similiar in apearence to the AEM7’s, 2308’s side vent on top is tilted upwards and has silver borders on the two windshields in the front.
1970-1 Pullman Standard Comet I Trailer and Cab
In mid 2008, SEPTA aquired six Comet I trailers and three Cab cars from NJT for service increasements on all of the eight push and pull sets that run on SEPTA’s Regional Rail line during peak hours. Because these cares were slated for retirement, the comet I’s went through a mini overhaul. The interior was refurbished, the cars got new decals and were renumbered 2590-2595 trailer and 2460-2461 for the cabs. The extra cab car 5118 is being used as an spare parts car and does not see revenue service. The comets have an HEP setup different from SEPTA’s locomotives. This is the reason why the AEM-7 locomotives are changed often on Comet I set. The comet cars feature a very unique look since they are the only pull and pull vehicles to sport the current fade scheme. Typically, the Comet I set can be seen laying over on track 0 at Fern Rock Regional Rail station and can be seen during peak hour on the R5’s Great Valley Flyer run. As of March 9th 2010, this set of comet Vs will appear on the Pennypack or the Neshaminy limited.