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
ElDorados...Leaving?; Could the end be in sight?
Topic Started: Nov 19 2009, 06:35 PM (1,149 Views)
Tritransit Area
Member Avatar
Transit Enthusiast
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
PhillyBadBoy09
Nov 20 2009, 09:58 AM
silverliner_2
Nov 20 2009, 01:38 AM
Bad move. Plenty of places SEPTA goes with the Eldos that can not accomodate 40-foot or even 35-foot buses. The 310 is one of those routes. You can not get a full-size bus into some of the places the 310 or a few of the contract routes go into. SEPTA got into problems before with their old "one size fits all" mentality. There is a place for 30-foot buses and cutaways, when used and assigned properly.

While the Eldorados are approaching the end of their service lives, replacing them with 40-foot buses is NOT the way to go. Yes, some 35-foot buses will be perfect, but there will always be a need for 30-footers. Especially with the demise of most of the Champions, and a future need to replace the ones operating on the contract routes. And with the contract ops out of Germantown prohibited from operating vehicles longer than 29 feet (length of the Eldorados we have), I believe we will have small buses around for a long time to come....

the mowers COULD be replaced with more mowers.....hehe!
Not so true. The 80 goes where the 310 goes. So if a 60ft bus can handle what a 29ft bus can do. I think a 40ft bus will do fine.
Not quite true. The 310 goes certain places that the 80 does not go, such as Walnut Drive (?) and the Horsham Business Commons (I think that's called Business Center Drive). The former has a rather tight culdesac that would be a challenge for an artic, and the latter has a narrow roadway (with medians!) in addition to tight turns.

An artic can only do so much without riding the curbs.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Tritransit Area
Member Avatar
Transit Enthusiast
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Septa_kid
Nov 20 2009, 10:38 AM
Artics handle certain turns better than 40 footers...
That's definitely true! The adjustment period with Allegheny and the New Flyers was interesting. An uncomfortable back up, a minor kiss with a car while making a hard left turn, and now the drivers are experts!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
septafan
Member Avatar
Da Real deal Bus Driver @ Southern
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
I hope i get a chance to drive one before they get rid of them i really want to drive one to see what it is like. (will someone send a eldo to southern please for me to drive) I think the 68 can use them on the weekend since it does not go to UPS saturday or sunday. I thought the 71 should get them too till i learned that that rt take standing loads into the naval yard in the mornings and out in the evenings
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rail_Guy 8202
Member Avatar
The southern delco northern de reporter
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
silverliner_2
Nov 20 2009, 01:38 AM
Bad move. Plenty of places SEPTA goes with the Eldos that can not accomodate 40-foot or even 35-foot buses. The 310 is one of those routes. You can not get a full-size bus into some of the places the 310 or a few of the contract routes go into. SEPTA got into problems before with their old "one size fits all" mentality. There is a place for 30-foot buses and cutaways, when used and assigned properly.

While the Eldorados are approaching the end of their service lives, replacing them with 40-foot buses is NOT the way to go. Yes, some 35-foot buses will be perfect, but there will always be a need for 30-footers. Especially with the demise of most of the Champions, and a future need to replace the ones operating on the contract routes. And with the contract ops out of Germantown prohibited from operating vehicles longer than 29 feet (length of the Eldorados we have), I believe we will have small buses around for a long time to come....

the mowers COULD be replaced with more mowers.....hehe!
35ft buses could be used at Frontier and i'd rather see NABI 31LFWRs over Gillig 29ft Advs or (gulp) Gillig 29ft BRTs :X
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Tritransit Area
Member Avatar
Transit Enthusiast
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Bus Guy 8202
Nov 20 2009, 01:28 PM
i'd rather see NABI 31LFWRs over Gillig 29ft Advs or (gulp) Gillig 29ft BRTs :X
Ditto. I'm almost as sick of Gilligs as I am of NABIs.

Although...it has bene quite a while since I've ridden a Phantom. Time to run to Ride On to ride their hunks of junk (1996 Gillig Phantoms).
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Tritransit Area
Member Avatar
Transit Enthusiast
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
septafan
Nov 20 2009, 12:43 PM
I hope i get a chance to drive one before they get rid of them i really want to drive one to see what it is like. (will someone send a eldo to southern please for me to drive) I think the 68 can use them on the weekend since it does not go to UPS saturday or sunday. I thought the 71 should get them too till i learned that that rt take standing loads into the naval yard in the mornings and out in the evenings
Grab one off the 2 when it's laying over! :-D
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Septa3371CSX1
Member Avatar
Septa3371CSX1
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
SEPTA has always had buses less than 40 feet in length. From the 35 footers inherited from PTC, Red Arrow, and SVL, to the 30 and 35 foot Flxibles, to the 35 foot Neoplans, to the cutaways, and the current Eldorados, there have always been small buses around. One thing I heard about the contract ops is that they now have to provide the buses for contract services (at least new contract routes). Hence why the 205 and 306 run with Krap(f)'s-owned midfloor cutaways. In my opinion, SEPTA should purchase 30 and 35 foot buses. There is a place for both of those types of buses. A 35 footer would work much better on many of the former Eldorado domains in Red Arrow land (103, 106, 107, 115, 118) than the 29 foot Eldos did. The main problem with the Eldos in Red Arrow land is the fact that the buses simply weren't designed for the routes they were being operated on. Throw that in with running them on the 104 West Chester Express to Eagle Road at 5:20 at night and you've got a bus that has a tough time handling the work and results in a lot of wear and tare.

Don't get me wrong, I do miss the Eldos out here. They have a lot of charm and character to them that makes them very likeable. Riding them on the 107 was a nice change of pace from the ho hum Sharks on the 109. I hope SEPTA does the right thing and purchases 30 and 35 foot buses. If not, can you say "mirrors, mirrors, mirrors everywhere on the streets of Manayunk and Roxborough"?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
CACrafter88bk2504
Transit Historian
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
I am glad to hear that the Eldorados will be removed from service.

I miss seeing Frontier depot being run with all 40 footers.

Yes, at one time, for nearly 15 years(1983-1998), the 127, 128 and 129 were exclusively served by 40 footers. The 130 from Neshaminy Mall to Oxford Valley Mall(via Hulmeville) was part of the B route(then the 14). The 130 came into existence sometime in 1988. Trenton Philadelphia Coach served the Birstol and Levittown areas throughout the 1970s, with 40 foot buses.

A 40 foot operation in Bucks County indeed. In fact, some leftover Flxibles assigned to Comly may have popped up on the B/14 in those years.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rail_Guy 8202
Member Avatar
The southern delco northern de reporter
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Septa3371CSX1
Nov 20 2009, 09:47 PM
SEPTA has always had buses less than 40 feet in length. From the 35 footers inherited from PTC, Red Arrow, and SVL, to the 30 and 35 foot Flxibles, to the 35 foot Neoplans, to the cutaways, and the current Eldorados, there have always been small buses around. One thing I heard about the contract ops is that they now have to provide the buses for contract services (at least new contract routes). Hence why the 205 and 306 run with Krap(f)'s-owned midfloor cutaways. In my opinion, SEPTA should purchase 30 and 35 foot buses. There is a place for both of those types of buses. A 35 footer would work much better on many of the former Eldorado domains in Red Arrow land (103, 106, 107, 115, 118) than the 29 foot Eldos did. The main problem with the Eldos in Red Arrow land is the fact that the buses simply weren't designed for the routes they were being operated on. Throw that in with running them on the 104 West Chester Express to Eagle Road at 5:20 at night and you've got a bus that has a tough time handling the work and results in a lot of wear and tare.

Don't get me wrong, I do miss the Eldos out here. They have a lot of charm and character to them that makes them very likeable. Riding them on the 107 was a nice change of pace from the ho hum Sharks on the 109. I hope SEPTA does the right thing and purchases 30 and 35 foot buses. If not, can you say "mirrors, mirrors, mirrors everywhere on the streets of Manayunk and Roxborough"?
After doing some research I believe most routes that are ran with Dorados can run with 35fts exept the 35 and a few others.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
silverliner_2
Member Avatar
Cab signal supporter. Railroad engineer. Girl chaser. Transit fan. Totally unpredictable!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
And let's not forget Route 35....let's see how many 40-footers lose mirrors on that run....LOL
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Bus and Trackless Trolley · Next Topic »
Add Reply