March 2013 Observations

[rideonrulez]

On Sunday 3/2/13 I saw 2613 doing the Blue/Yellow Rail shuttles still unrehabbed.

[rideonrulez]

WMATA New Flyer XDE40 #7190 in front of WMATA HQ this morning.

[WMAveteran]

March 9, 2013 around noon: Megabus Van Hool td925 (double deck) operating route M31 service (Hampton, Richmond, Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia) on north bound Baltimore Washington Parkway at route 450 (destination Philadelphia).

March 9, 2013: I drove pass the Minnesota Avenue Metro station when it was closed for track work.  There were several hundred people waiting for shuttle buses in a line that stretched from the station itself to Benning Road (the equivalent of about 3 city blocks).  There were police trying to keep the road clear and traffic was backed up for many blocks on Minnesota Avenue.  I saw just a few buses in the station.  This clearly was not planned well.  Unfortunately Metro gets another black mark for this in the minds of many patrons.   

[rideonrulez]

WMATA New Flyer XDE40 #7254 drove by on 7th St NW "Not in service" this morning.

[WMAveteran]

March 14, 2013 around noon: Mega Bus Van Hool td925 (double deck coach) operating route M21 service (Washington-Philadelphia-New York) on north bound Baltimore Washington Parkway south of I-495 (destination sign New York). 

[Chargerdodge9]

Bus #2724 is back in service. Parked at Pentagon earlier this week.

[Chargerdodge9]

2000 Orion Vs #2150 and #2114 (I believe) broke down back last week on the 29K. Talk about bad luck. That line has hourly headways!

[WMATAGMOAGH]

Saw an express branded bus heading up 16th Street at about 9:45 yesterday.  I'll spare everyone my bus branding rant.

Breda 3113 has a microphone at the left side door position, and I saw something similar in December on another train that wasn't a 6000 Series, where those microphones came factory installed. 

On the down escalator from the mezzanine pod at the east end of Gallery Place to the Shady Grove platform and the Chinatown exit, the yellow safety message stickers that appear at the top and bottom of escalator are printed on the handrail as well.

[Chargerdodge9]

Anyone know when the 7000 series are going to arrive and which yards are going to get them?

[BigPimpinSlimDB]

Anyone know when the 7000 series are going to arrive and which yards are going to get them?

If you're referring to buses, they've already been rolled out for over a year. Landover (7001-7035, 7151-7185), Montgomery (7035-7095), Bladensburg (7096-7100, 7186-7199), Western (7101-7150), Northern (7200+)

[Chargerdodge9]

I was actually referring to the next new order of train cars that looks like the R143s/R160s from the MTA. The XDE40s first came almost 2 years ago! Also you forgot 1 depot, West Ox (#7037-7056).

[Chargerdodge9]

I was actually referring to the next new order of train cars that looks like the R143s/R160s from the MTA. The XDE40s first came almost 2 years ago! Also you forgot 1 depot, West Ox (#7037-7056).

Also, wasn't the Xcelsior order going to end at #7250? Are these just free buses now or are they going up to #7300? If that's the case, then I guess the 1997 Orion Vs might not make it to 2015.

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

A more precise breakdown of the Xcelsiors is as follows:

7001-7041 - Landover
7042-7056 - West Ox
7057-7095 - Montgomery
7096-7100 - Bladensburg
7101-7152 - Western
7153-7188 - Landover
7189-7196 - Bladensburg
7197-7230s - Northern
7240s-7250s - Montgomery

[Chargerdodge9]

Forgot to mention this, but #2665 no longer has the green LED destination. It now has the regular orange signs again. Also, saw a REX Orion VII CNG deadheading on I-95 @ Springfield back to FMR. And speaking of REX, caught #2506 bound for King street Metro.

[Chargerdodge9]

Saw a 1999-2000 CUE Gillig Phantom on I-95 near Dale City heading northbound.