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| RTS History; Original Depot Assignments | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 25 2012, 11:38 PM (1,451 Views) | |
| GODFREY AVE. | Nov 25 2012, 11:38 PM Post #1 |
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Transit Fan
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In the summer of 1980 when The GM RTS model hit the streets of Philly they were assigned as follows : 8000-8106 Callowhill 8107-8119 Germantown 8120-8205 Allegheny 8206-8264 Germantown 8265-8284 Victory 4458-4470 Frontier By 1983, Germantown started to lose their RTS's because they were under-powered. They were very rarely used on the 6, now the 22, 55, or L routes. They would be split-up between Callowhill and Allegheny depots who in turn sent 6300 and 6400 series Flxibles to replace them. Other replacements included many Nimco and Blitz re-built GM "Fishbowl's" coming out of Frankford depot, as a result of them receiving the 8435-8561 group of 1983 Neoplans. As the RTS fleet emerged from their first GOH, they were quite different both inside and out. The original Detroit 6v71 motors were replaced with new 6v92's, new roof-mounted SuTrak air- conditioning units, and new digital destination signs were installed. These were the last buses ordered with roll signs. The RTS order also ended the 25-year run of the GM "Green Hornet's". When the 1980 school year ended, the last of the 500's up through the 3800's were finally retired from both Comly and Frankford depots, with 3804, a beat-up, worn-out, but still a fast bus, the last to go. |
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| Mark | Nov 26 2012, 05:20 AM Post #2 |
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Advanced Transit Fan
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There are several slight errors in your article. The RTS distribuition was as follows: 8000-8106/ Callowhill 8107-8116/ Germantown 8117-8204/ Allegheny 8205-8264/ Germantown The RTS at Germantown were'nt replaced by Flxibles[GOD FORBID!], but were replaced by the 1984 8600 series Neoplan BMs. 69 RTS's were replaced by a similar number of Neoplans, with rebuilt GM fishbowls backing them up [I lived in Germantown's territory so I am EXTREMELY certain of what was coming and going at that depot]. The Neoplans were'nt delivered in numerical order originally, with fleet numbers ranging from 8602 to 8696 [my first ride on that series of Neos]. After the delivery of the CD Neos [87-8800s], the buses were then switched around to rationalized the fleet number group. Germantown wound up with 8601-70[BM], 8726-8755[CD] Neoplans. |
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| Van2006ko | Nov 26 2012, 05:45 PM Post #3 |
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Foamer
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I should had asked you guys from the beginning for information on the RTSs. The Earliest roster which we have from that period is in 1985, I did not know that the RTSs were originally assigned to Germantown then were reassigned shortly thereafter. That would make sense considering that several of the routes in that area does operate on some steep inclines. If you guys have any of the original Neoplan assignments, It would be greatly appreciated. |
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| GODFREY AVE. | Nov 26 2012, 06:37 PM Post #4 |
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Transit Fan
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Mark, I was close. Thanks for the corrections. Old age is starting to set in! I should have clarified the RTS replacements @ Germantown Depot more. No, the Flxibles were not permenent replacements. The Fishbowls stayed and when Luzerne got 3000-3116, more came. As for the Flxibles 6367, 6369, 6377, 6381, 6389, 6409, 6412, 6428, along with 6632-6635 from Frankford did time in Germantown. Some like 6369 were "Runner's". Most needed some TLC! And if you remember, 6634 and 6635 had the Germantown Plates on the front like alot of the RTS's did. Once those 86 and 8700's arrived, the Flxibles were sent elsewhere. Mark, some of us really liked to get an 8v71 powered Flx, especially before they took away the overdrive gear! Back in the day, 6560 or 6570 would be right there with a Flyer or Nabi of today. That's another post all in it's self. Thanks again for the corrections. |
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| philabob1 | Nov 27 2012, 12:33 PM Post #5 |
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Foamer
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Some questions on this - mainly going on memory so any corrections, etc are welcome. I seem to recall the 8107-16 group leaving G'town fairly early in the game (maybe late '82/early '83) for Callowhill, possibly when some of the rebuilt fishbowls were returning to service in larger numbers. I also seem to recall that 8117-30 or so moved from Allegheny to Callowhill at some point, again in that mid-80's time period. Not sure if the movement of the RTS out of G'town was related to the 'steep inclines'. Keep in mind those at Allegheny were heavily assigned to the A - in my experience with the successor routes 9 and 27, the RTS were lousy at climbing hills. I had heard a story once that the RTS weren't so good on higher-speed runs (like the suburban portions of 6 and 55) so maybe that had something to do with it (again, Expressway service on A (later 9/27) and 44 saw extensive RTS runs, so not sure about that either). Many of the Flx's that ended up at Germantown came from Allegheny and that could explain their conditions (not having had TLC). The Manayunk hills did a number on those 8-cylinder engines as well. There weren't many of the Flx's left at Allegheny when I started riding the 27 regularly (early '86) but those were the buses you wanted in snow, as the Volvo artics couldn't climb hills and the RTS would but very slowly. There were some fishbowl rebuilds at Allegheny for a short while as I recall, but I believe they were all moved out when the Volvos showed up. At that point Allegheny was RTS and Volvo, with a handful of Flx's until they were retired. Allegheny got only a small group of Neo's in the 3180 group. |
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| thelemaque87 | Nov 27 2012, 04:08 PM Post #6 |
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Transit Fan
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My most memorable experience riding the legendary RTS was 20 years ago in 1992 when me and my sister boarded an 8200 series RTS on route C in the afternoon. It was a great ride just zooming up on Broad St. and seeing a lot of NEOPLANS at Olney Terminal..the early 90s gave everyone an opportunity to experience the awesomeness of the Neoplan, RTS, and Volvo era. |
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| CACrafter88bk2504 | Nov 29 2012, 03:38 AM Post #7 |
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Transit Historian
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Now it makes perfect sense. When I was like 2 years old(1983 and early 1984), I recall seeing RTS buses on the H and XH. |
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| thelemaque87 | Nov 29 2012, 09:11 AM Post #8 |
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Transit Fan
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The last time I saw an GMC RTS operate within the fleet was in early 1996 on route 39 heading westbound to 33rd and Dauphin. |
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| NeoArtic7101 | Nov 30 2012, 07:48 PM Post #9 |
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rest in peace to all AN440's that ran the Philadelphia area streets
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I recall of that. My older brother was into buses as well when he was younger and made cardboard septa buses as a hobby and had one with the old L scrollsign. I wish he kept those cardboard buses. |
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