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What was the WORST piece of equipment SEPTA ran?
Topic Started: Jul 8 2007, 10:32 PM (2,649 Views)
Mark
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What was the WORST piece of equipment ever operated by SEPTA?

My selection: the 1973 Flxibles 111cd buses [6075-6313, 1215-40 CTD fleet only. the Red Arrow/STD fleet was BETTER maintained and thus was disqualified from the selection.]

Any other parts of the transit fleet [past or present] that you can think of?
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TheOneCalledA1
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AN460s. I've been on four different AN460s that broke down within a mile of Olney Transportation Center.

I'm not sure about the Silverliner 3s and 4s, but on the S2s I always hit my head when I get out of my seat if I sit at the window seat.
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Jayayess1190
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^^^ I agree about the an460's.
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Tritransit Area
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I disagree with all of you....I nominate...

The Coach and Equipment (Ford) Phoenixes.

YIKES! I've never been so happy to see buses retired. In fact, I try to avoid these in other areas as well!

I like the artics, but they needed to be repowered...in the summertime, they drop like flies! The suspension could be much better too!
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Tfaldasyantyst06
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I used to think the New Flyers were butt-ugly Neo-killers, but now they have proven their worth and may be the smartest Septa purchase ever made. 5427 has this annoying problem with its firewall in which hot air from the engine is blown into the bus, negating any cooling effect of the AC, but other than that they're good. Worst equipment? Nabi 416 HANDS DOWN. Bad suspension, slow takeoff, the obnoxiously loud engine, I can't wait until we get rid of those Icky Ikaruses.
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MichaelB
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I would think that the absolute worst equipment ever run would have to be the 35-foot RTS buses (#4458-#4470). SEPTA bounced them all over the system (from Frontier, then Victory, then still later to Luzerne). They had absolutely no power to speak of.

I'll never forget the time back around 1990 when one of them worked a trip on the 33 one PM rush hour. Not more than 10-15 miles per hour with a crush load!

No wonder they were the first of the RTS fleet to be retired.

Michael B.
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Tfaldasyantyst06
Jul 11 2007, 10:02 AM
5427 has this annoying problem with its firewall in which hot air from the engine is blown into the bus, negating any cooling effect of the AC, but other than that they're good. Worst equipment? Nabi 416 HANDS DOWN. Bad suspension, slow takeoff, the obnoxiously loud engine, I can't wait until we get rid of those Icky Ikaruses.

Yeah, that firewall thing is probably the main thing I really can't stand with those New Flyers. When it's not sealed properly, it tends to flap open, letting in the heat and noise from the engine. I've never been on another type of bus that did that. I rode 5666 the other day, and because of this, the back of the bus was hot as hell (pun intended). I had to move forward for fear of burning my bottom on the back seat.

I like the NABIs, they are really cool in their own sort of way. I don't see how they are "louder" than a normal DD50 New Flyer (I think the latter is louder) but I like the rich, unique sound the NABIs make. I'll certainly miss that when they are retired...
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ctrabs74
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Jul 10 2007, 10:16 PM
The Coach and Equipment (Ford) Phoenixes.

YIKES! I've never been so happy to see buses retired. In fact, I try to avoid these in other areas as well!

You will then be disappointed to learn that 2061 is still chugging along for Krap(f)s covering the 314 and occasionally the 306 and 204 contract lines.

Those Fords were falling apart within 2 years; I had to deal with these POS buses all the time on the 92/133 and couldn't wait for them to be junked. Unfortunately, the Chumps that replaced the Fords aren't much better...
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I actually had the displeasure of riding that bus on the 204 one time when the Chumps were new, yet extraordinarily prevalent.

I'm sure the Fords are faster...I'm still trying to figure out why the Champions are so slow...the Krapf's buses are so much faster.

There's still a Ford up in Cornwell Heights on the Shuttle. I guess I could go up there to get a picture of one, I guess...

I personally think the Chumps are much better than the Fords, but then again, that isn't saying much...

Apparently, the Rush Bus now has them! I wonder if one day they'll ever become real routes and use real transit buses...
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CACrafter88bk2504
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Jul 12 2007, 02:38 AM
Tfaldasyantyst06
Jul 11 2007, 10:02 AM
5427 has this annoying problem with its firewall in which hot air from the engine is blown into the bus, negating any cooling effect of the AC, but other than that they're good. Worst equipment? Nabi 416 HANDS DOWN. Bad suspension, slow takeoff, the obnoxiously loud engine, I can't wait until we get rid of those Icky Ikaruses.

Yeah, that firewall thing is probably the main thing I really can't stand with those New Flyers. When it's not sealed properly, it tends to flap open, letting in the heat and noise from the engine. I've never been on another type of bus that did that. I rode 5666 the other day, and because of this, the back of the bus was hot as hell (pun intended). I had to move forward for fear of burning my bottom on the back seat.

I like the NABIs, they are really cool in their own sort of way. I don't see how they are "louder" than a normal DD50 New Flyer (I think the latter is louder) but I like the rich, unique sound the NABIs make. I'll certainly miss that when they are retired...

I will miss the NABIs assigned to Callowhill (5001-5058) when the are retired. The Callowhill NABIs are clean & they provide good climate control.

For some reason, I love the sound of any one from the 5002-5058, 5059-5133,5154,5156-5195 groups when they are parked, with the engine on & air running.

The 2001,2002 & 2003 New Flyers tend to have engine covers that flap open at times. I've never been on any of the 2004 Flyers with their engine covers flapping open while in revenue service @ fast speeds.

I think I have seen the engine cover of a Callowhill Flyer flap open as it was coming out of the wash.
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