Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Home | News | Site Map
Frequently asked about links:

Active Topics Around the Forums

Current SEPTA's Bus & Light Rail Assignments by Depot (includes Norristown High Speed Line)
Push Pull Assignments
Vehicle Overhaul Status Page
We hope you enjoy your visit.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest.

Join our community!

If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
1984 volvo B10m 40 foot bus; 8590, the only one in its fleet...
Topic Started: May 1 2006, 08:25 AM (1,753 Views)
newflyer_8008
A person with a transit intrest
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
now.. how many people actually rode volvo 8590? please discribe features if you did ride on this one-of-a-kind bus......

note, if you did not, and still know the features of this vehicle, discribe as well
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
NewFlyer8119
Member Avatar
Advanced Transit Fan
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
you can go to our msn and go to the historical vehicle section of the pictures to find out about that bus


i heard it used to run frequently on the 121
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MichaelB
Transit Fan
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Yes, I had the chance to ride 8590 several times over the years. It was indeed a unique bus within SEPTA.

From what I remember, 8590 came to SEPTA in about 1985 as compensation from Volvo for air conditioning teething problems that had occured with the then-new 7001-7050 series Volvo artics. 8590 was originally ordered but not accepted by the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, where it was briefly #8509. I'm not sure why SEPTA assigned #8590 to the bus when it came here, but my guess would be that because that number fit in neatly between #8584, the last of the 1983 Neoplans, & #8601, first of the 1984 Neos.

8590 was unlike SEPTA's other Volvos in more ways besides its length. It was a 102-inch-wide bus, which was almost unique to SEPTA at that time. (All of SEPTA's RTSes, Neoplans & Flxible New Looks were 96 inches wide, as were nearly all of the remaining GMC Fishbowls. The 5000-series ex-PTC group of 1963 Fishbowls had also been 102-inchers, but had been retired by the time 8590 arrived.) It had standard folding front doors, unlike SEPTA's Volvo artics. 8590 also sported a Volvo nameplate & sweepspear emblem, not standard SEPTA practice. It had rectangular headlights-the artics had round headlights. 8590 also had blue cushioned seats, similar to SEPTA's suburban seat Neoplans (8411-8434, 8561-8584, etc.) & woodgrain-pattern interior walls.

8590 was assigned with the other Volvos to Allegheny for pretty much all its time on SEPTA. It could usually be found on the 44G/49/121 (before that line was shifted to Callowhill) , although sometimes it made appearances on the 9, 27, & earlier, the 44 or 45. It accumulated very low mileage over the years.

8590 was donated by SEPTA to the Museum of Bus Transportation in Hershey, PA, where it may be seen today. -- Michael B.

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
newflyer_8008
A person with a transit intrest
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
wow, that is a lot of info for that bus


Thanx
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MichaelB
Transit Fan
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
You're welcome! One more fact about 8590-it was one of only 50 40-foot Volvo transit buses ever manufactured by Volvo in the US. All of the other 49 ended up with RIPTA in Rhode Island. (I do not believe that any of them are still in service with RIPTA.) All of the other Volvo buses made here were artics for either SEPTA, NJT, or SamTrans out in the Bay Area in California...Michael B.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
newflyer_8008
A person with a transit intrest
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
wow, thats decent, and all their buses are still in service, unbelivable
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Van2006ko
Foamer
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Well the 49 RIPTA's volvos 40 footers are no longer in service, as they were being replaced by the Orion V's which they received back in 2003. Samtrans back in 2002 received the 60 foot version of the NABI back in 2002, as New Jersery Transit in that same time period replaced their remaining fleet with the 59 foot Neoplan An460.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Trainwizard
Member Avatar
You must have rabies because you foam too much!¡!¡!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
MichaelB
May 4 2006, 11:02 PM
You're welcome! One more fact about 8590-it was one of only 50 40-foot Volvo transit buses ever manufactured by Volvo in the US. All of the other 49 ended up with RIPTA in Rhode Island. (I do not believe that any of them are still in service with RIPTA.) All of the other Volvo buses made here were artics for either SEPTA, NJT, or SamTrans out in the Bay Area in California...Michael B.
If there were only 50 Volvos; 8590 is at Hershey, and the other 49 are in RI, then how is 7011 in our midvale yard? that sounds like a total of 51 buses
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Van2006ko
Foamer
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Buswizard please do not reply off of all of the older threads on this board!!!

If you have a question, please start a new thread.

To answer your question, there was only one 40 foot Volvo on SEPTA's property. This Volvo was rejected by Rhode Island back in 1985. It also had Rhode Island specifications as well such as the Volvo sign on the grill.

#7011 is part of the SEPTA order of 50 Volvos purchased back in 1984.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · General History · Next Topic »
Add Reply