MTA Maryland 9400s - D or E?

[TransitGuru1981X]

Hi,

There is some debate out there in regards to the 1994 Flxible Metros in Baltimore, MD. What makes them "D"s rather than "E"s? The buses were built in November of 1994 according to the Flxible Metro production list at http://www.omot.org/.

How does one go about distinguishing a "D" Metro from an "E" Metro?

~Ben

[79MetroExtraMD]

The 94 Metros are Ds.

As for distinguishing Ds and Es, for the most part, Metro Es have come with Series 50 engines. I can't think of anyone who has any Metro Es with anything other than Detroit engines. Also, the Metro Es have rear HVAC units.

[TransitGuru1981X]

The 94 Metros are Ds.

As for distinguishing Ds and Es, for the most part, Metro Es have come with Series 50 engines. I can't think of anyone who has any Metro Es with anything other than Detroit engines. Also, the Metro Es have rear HVAC units.

Actually, the last 100 Flxible Metro E's in Chicago, IL (Chicago Transit Authority #6230-6329) do use Cummins M11E diesel engines and ZF transmissions (same powertrain as the MTA Maryland '94 Flxible Metro Ds numbered 9401-9425); those are '95s as you would expect. And also, in Columbus, OH, COTA did specify their '95 Metro E's with the Cummins C8.3 diesel engine mated to the ZF 5HP-590 transmission (the buses came in both 35' and 40' lengths).

So -- would that mean some of the very first '95 Flxible Metros might be "D" units as well?

~Ben

[aznboy4305]

From what I understand, there really is no official "D" and "E". Its just something that transit agencies made up to distinguish the different generations of Flxible Metros they've received and the changes that came with it. The borderline between what people consider a "D" and an "E" is a gray area. I've seen "D"s with "E" features, and vice versa. Same with the As and Bs...Bs and Cs...so on and so forth.

[rideonrulez]

Actually, the last 100 Flxible Metro E's in Chicago, IL (Chicago Transit Authority #6230-6329) do use Cummins M11E diesel engines and ZF transmissions (same powertrain as the MTA Maryland '94 Flxible Metro Ds numbered 9401-9425); those are '95s as you would expect. And also, in Columbus, OH, COTA did specify their '95 Metro E's with the Cummins C8.3 diesel engine mated to the ZF 5HP-590 transmission (the buses came in both 35' and 40' lengths).

~Ben

The only Flx's at CTA with the M11's are 6305-6329. Obviously not 100 of them