WMATA & MTA Maryland to get Xcelsiors in 2011

[mrpete]

Depends on the gearing of the transmissions and the differentials. Buses for mostly stop & go city operations have lower gearing (higher numerically, e. g. 4.11) for faster acceleration. Buses for mostly highway "express" services usually have higher gearing (lower numerically, e. g. 3.55) for a higher cruising speed but somewhat slower acceleration.

Ever notice that fire trucks are very loud. They have lower gearing for fast acceleration over short distances. So even when they are trundling down the street the engine sounds like its running at high RPM's; because it is.

[OrionFlyer]

So at the rodeo yesterdy 2 employees from New Flyer who drives the LFAs to WMATA says WMATA placed an order for 152 Xcelsiors, I overheard them talking to a few mechanics and one of the employees himself told us that the 152 coaches are due in March. Lets hope it stays like that, don't believe me go to the landover division and talk to some mechanics, as for MTA Maryland they're probably gonna piggyback of WMATA to get theirs.

According to Chuck, MTA does have plans on purchasing 57 New Flyers next year. It would be a piggyback of WMATA's order. According to him, it's most likely Xcelsiors, but it depends on funding and approval by the Board of Public Works.

[Tristan]

So at the rodeo yesterdy 2 employees from New Flyer who drives the LFAs to WMATA says WMATA placed an order for 152 Xcelsiors, I overheard them talking to a few mechanics and one of the employees himself told us that the 152 coaches are due in March. Lets hope it stays like that, don't believe me go to the landover division and talk to some mechanics, as for MTA Maryland they're probably gonna piggyback of WMATA to get theirs.

According to Chuck, MTA does have plans on purchasing 57 New Flyers next year. It would be a piggyback of WMATA's order. According to him, it's most likely Xcelsiors, but it depends on funding and approval by the Board of Public Works.

So Xcelsiors or not?? Anyone else confused?

[Nabinut]

The 2009 MTA New Flyers were a piggyback from a WMATA order and they ended up being different models so it's not a guarantee that if WMATA receives Xs that MTA will go with LFRs...

[Tritransit Area]

I still don't understand...how is MTA getting a "piggyback" off of the WMATA order if they are two completely different models?  I can understand if they went in for a "joint order", but not as the MTA just adding onto the WMATA order.  Unless I'm confused about the whole notion of "piggybacking", which is quite possible.

[aznboy4305]

Sometimes "piggybacking" means acquiring another agency's manufacturing slots. When we piggybacked off of Eugene LTD's order of DE62LFAs, we acquired DE60LFRs. Likewise, we acquired some of CTA's cancelled slots (of what were to be DE60LFs) to order D60LFRs (later upgraded to hybrids) at a discounted cost.

[WayneNYC]

The piggybacking case that comes to mind for me is an oldie from the early 1980s.  NYCTA ordered 837 Grumman Flxible 870s.  They were model 53102-6-1 with 2 X 1 transit seating, two-tone blue interior and DD 6V-71N engines.  NYCDOT piggybacked for 178 buses for the DOT Privates.  However, these buses were 53102-8-1 and 53096-8-1, with 2 X 2 transit seating, tan/brown interiors and DD 8V-71N engines.  I listed this example in agreement with Aznboy and Nabinut that an agency piggybacking on another's order doesn't mean that both will get the same type of bus (options/features).

[79MetroExtraMD]

Sometimes "piggybacking" means acquiring another agency's manufacturing slots. When we piggybacked off of Eugene LTD's order of DE62LFAs, we acquired DE60LFRs. Likewise, we acquired some of CTA's cancelled slots (of what were to be DE60LFs) to order D60LFRs (later upgraded to hybrids) at a discounted cost.

I have a feeling they might stick with the LFR to try to standardize the fleet mainly for parts and maintenance simplification.

[Scrabbleship]

I can think of three cases of piggybacking which involve this area: Ride On's C40LF's (Culver CityBus), WMATA's 60BRT's (LACMTA), and most of ART's NABI's (LA World Airports and Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport for the 35LFW's, I think the 30LFW's might be an LACMTA piggyback).

Would Ride On hitching onto the Upstate New York Hybrid Consortium (the source of the 2006 and 2007 hybrids) qualify as a piggyback?

[Tritransit Area]

WOW NABIs in Minneapolis?!  Quite cool.

[Scrabbleship]

WOW NABIs in Minneapolis?!  Quite cool.

Only for airport shuttles, mainly for employees and parking.

[Van2006ko]

So let me get this straight as a fellow fan from Philadelphia land. DC is getting over 150 XDE40LFR (UGH LONG NAME) in 2011? WOW, I am glad that someone is looking into purchasing New flyer's newest line of New Flyers.

Depends on the gearing of the transmissions and the differentials. Buses for mostly stop & go city operations have lower gearing (higher numerically, e. g. 4.11) for faster acceleration. Buses for mostly highway "express" services usually have higher gearing (lower numerically, e. g. 3.55) for a higher cruising speed but somewhat slower acceleration.

Ever notice that fire trucks are very loud. They have lower gearing for fast acceleration over short distances. So even when they are trundling down the street the engine sounds like its running at high RPM's; because it is.

High gearing allows for faster acceleration. Lower gearing ratios increases the overall top speed of the speed. Of course this is within respect to the terrain, wheels, engine, weight, and overall design as well.

In case of the 2500s, they have the Cummins C-Plus with Voith? More likely its the C-Plus and that  long 1st gear holding them back.

[WayneNYC]

So let me get this straight as a fellow fan from Philadelphia land. DC is getting over 150 XDE40LFR (UGH LONG NAME) in 2011? WOW, I am glad that someone is looking into purchasing New flyer's newest line of New Flyers.

Depends on the gearing of the transmissions and the differentials. Buses for mostly stop & go city operations have lower gearing (higher numerically, e. g. 4.11) for faster acceleration. Buses for mostly highway "express" services usually have higher gearing (lower numerically, e. g. 3.55) for a higher cruising speed but somewhat slower acceleration.

Ever notice that fire trucks are very loud. They have lower gearing for fast acceleration over short distances. So even when they are trundling down the street the engine sounds like its running at high RPM's; because it is.

High gearing allows for faster acceleration. Lower gearing ratios increases the overall top speed of the speed. Of course this is within respect to the terrain, wheels, engine, weight, and overall design as well.

In case of the 2500s, they have the Cummins C-Plus with Voith? More likely its the C-Plus and that  long 1st gear holding them back.

RE: Xcelsiors for WMATA: Not saying it will not happen, but at this point there's yet to be any supporting evidence posted here, which is why this thread is in "The Grapevine" section.

[rideonrulez]

Now that I know a little information and have seen pics, this is confirmed thus topic being moved. What I'm hearing is the order is for 148 units, they will be numbered 7000 series and they have back windows!! HOT!!

[OrionFlyer]

Have you seen what WMATA's are going to look like? I've already seen what MTA's are going to look like thanks to a user on facebook who posted pictures of 3D renderings of the MTA Xcelsiors that were from New Flyer. One of those pictures was at the Motor Trend International Auto Show where 10023 was. According Administrator Wells, he told me this himself at the auto show, the first one will arrive by June. He also said that MTA is still deciding if they should have the rear windows or not.

This picture is from the user on facebook.



The upper right one was at the auto show, along with a photo of the blue Xcelsior demo.