News

According to Darryl Bulls (an extremely reliable source for those who don’t know) the next batch of D40LFs will in fact be numbered in the 8000 series numbers 8000-8099 to be correct and all buses will be assigned to the Southern bus garage.

Well here is the first rumor concerning SEPTA’s next batch of D40LFs. This rumor states that according to a source at 1234 Market SEPTA is planning to number this batch 8001-8100, the reason being that the first set numbers (5951-6050) would conflict with the paratransit van fleet. The rumor also states that all 100 of these buses will be assigned to Southern because they will run on a special low sulfur fuel like that on the Hybrids, if this happens they will then transfer a large number of Southern current D40LFs to other Depots. As stated in the beginning this is an unconfirmed rumor. I invite inquiry and debate about this on the forums.

According to SEPTA’s FY 2006-2017 Capital Budget proposal, the agency is now planning a base order for 38 Trackless Trolleys with an option for 23 additional vehicles. They are planning to place the order in the third quarter of this year with the Arrival of the first vehicle in 2007. It Appears that the 38 vehicles will be for the 3 Frankford lines routes 59, 66, and 75 ,and the 23 vehicles are aimed for the possible restoration of Southern routes 29 and 79. To recap the situation in 2002 the Frankford lines went Diesel do to construction of the new Frankford Transportation center which was mostly finished in 2003, Route 29 went Diesel in Early 2003 do to the Tasker Homes construction project and finally SEPTA Decided to pull route 79 in July 2003, And since 2003 the well aged AMGs further deteriorated while in Storage at the Midvale Depot/Shops.

The fleet number of the Frontier Eldorado spotted with the LED sign is indeed 4526. And it also sport what appears to be a Twinvision ALL-LED designation sign the same exact type of sign which is spotted on NABI # 5251. To learn more about this signs please click here.

Apparently according to some ‘official’ sources out there that the 2005 series of the new flyers (5950-6050). Which is set to be delivery by August 1st 2005 May be start delivery almost a month ahead of schedule in Early July 2005. This is not the first time this has happened the second batch of 2004 flyers (5851-5950) which is expected to be delivery July 1, 2004 were already on the property by mid June. Also the Fast batch of 2004 New Flyers which are expect to be delivered by April 1st, 2004. Were already on the property by March 15, 2004.

A Frontier Eldorado Has been Confirmed to have an Amber LED sign. The number of this vehicle is unconfirmed how ever it is very likely to #4526 which is the prototype bus of the Eldorado Overhaul program which is scheduled to begin later this year. Also it is not know if the sign is an Luminator LED sign like that retrofitted on Midvale NABI #5251 or if the sign is an Twin Vision LED sign like that on SEPTA’s New Flyer and Champion fleet as well as Neoplan Articulated #7101. More info to come.

The Last 2 Philly Air electric or “pre war” PCC cars in existence have found new homes. 1940 car #2054 (painted in the “Philly cream cheese” livery) Which last ran in 1993 and has been stored since is destined for the Electric City Trolley Museum in Scranton PA.1942 car #2647 which has been rusting away at Germantown for many years has been acquired by a private owner and is scheduled to go to the Baltimore streetcar museum for temporary storage. Let’s hope these cars now have a new lease on life.

It appears that the Vehicle Overhaul of the Neoplans are nearly half-way done. Accorded to some “official” sources there are a total of 14 Neoplans at Berridge Shops which are in various stages of overhaul. These buses are 7144 7147 7160 7162 7166 7173 7192 7197 7204 7221 7231 7239 7245 7250. The total amount of Neoplans that received a VOH are listed (CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LISTINGS) …

Luminator Update- The report that that 5152 has a Luminator sign is not true. I just spotted 5152 on route northbound to Overbrook station. And it has the typical Green flip flop Luminator Max designation sign. However the side does have a blue light in place instead of an white one. It looks extremely nice at night time (Kyle O.)

Here are some more rumors concerning route 15’s return to trolley service. The first rumor has the start date set as either June 12th or June 15. SEPTA would build specialty work and
switches built on the 60th street side of the Callowhill depot for route 10 and 15 pullouts,
this would effectively end the fight over trolleys running on 59th street for pullouts.
The Second rumor less likely to occur has route 15’s start date as June 15th with route
15 cars operating out of the Elmwood depot. Once again these are just rumors with nothing
confirmed yet.