Orion I's in DC Area

[Tritransit Area]

6V-92TA and, Allison HT-748...any better mix?

Not in my opinion! ^_^

[DCT S9Z4Z6]

Here is a pic of a TMC City Cruiser at the Silver Spring Station, back when these were NEW buses.

By the time I got to driving the buses in thie series (5109, 5111, 5127) they were beasts & had already been well used.

No Air-Cushioned Seat for the driver
Over sized steering wheel
A/C that blew warm air.
Rear Door step treadle/interlock that closed the rear doors very slowly.

[aznboy4305]

That is a neat picture, got any more oldies? I'd love to see them.

[Tritransit Area]

Here is a pic of a TMC City Cruiser at the Silver Spring Station, back when these were NEW buses.

By the time I got to driving the buses in thie series (5109, 5111, 5127) they were beasts & had already been well used.

No Air-Cushioned Seat for the driver
Over sized steering wheel
A/C that blew warm air.
Rear Door step treadle/interlock that closed the rear doors very slowly.

Wow, nice picture!  So that's what the Ride-On section of Silver Spring Station looked like back in the day?  Plus, was that bus actually running on the 18?!  When did they turn it into a "cutaway/minibus" route?

[Flxible]

I saw one on Independence Ave long after they were out of revenue service (in fact, only a few years ago) that said "Special" and and was full of guys in business suits...doing some sort of charter in full CUE paint.

One thing I remember fondly about our (DASH) old 30' Orion Is is how hard it was for a short driver to change the side destination sign, it being above the door.  That's a great location for a sign though!

Other than that, we donated an Orion I to Commonwealth Coach & Trolley Museum in Roanoke, VA - if you go there and ask nicely, they'll take you out on it I'm sure.

And while you are in Roanoke go visit the Railroad Museum.  It is the final resting place of two great steam locomotives: N&W 611 (J Class) and N&W 1225 (A Class).  BTW, speaking of strange uses for Orion I's, the Montgomery County Fire Department had a "pimped-out" version it obtained from Ride On.  It was repainted in white with red stripes and even had emergency lights.  It used to be parked at the Training Academy at Great Seneca Highway and Route 28 but I haven't seen it recently,

A note on the locomotives: The Class A you referred to is no. 1218, not 1225.  Both were built right here in Roanoke and are the pride of the Virginia Museum of Transportation fleet.  Occasionally, railfans are invited to the VMT to take photos of the engines on special occasions, including a recent night shoot which featured models acting as rail personnel in period uniforms.  There is also a restored 1945 D.C. Transit PCC streetcar (fleet no. 1470) on display there as well.

I am the Curator of Commonwealth Coach and Trolley Museum, and was partly responsible for obtaining DASH Orion I no. 28 for our fleet (thanks again to Tristan for the tip, and Sandy for the gift).  It is one of our main buses in our operating fleet, and we recently used it on an excursion to Blacksburg to have dinner with our New River Valley volunteers as it performs well at highway speeds.

Last but not least, come to Roanoke any time.  We'll be glad to take you for a spin with advance notice.