A ride on CTA's 1991 TMC RTS T8O-208 #4705 (RETIRED)

[RTD8481]

I remember when these first arrived in Chicago back in 1991. I couldnt wait to take a ride in it.

[josephvanorsby78]

i didnt like these buses because when they went over potholes, it looked like the bus was gonna fall apart.

[t8j206]

I like those CTA TMC RTS-08 buses, but they are retired right now.

[baul104]

One of them(ex-CTA #4550) was sold to Peoria Transit Citylink sometime last December... These buses are my favorite, and yes, they were retired last December of 2008.

[BJC20199]

New York City transit had these unrepower buses until early 2005....they were the best..we still have couple of the 1990 TMC running around,but they're the repower one.

[baul104]

My city's RTS buses were never repowered although they sometimes get rehabbed like the 1979-1980 RTS T8H-203(except the 1978 T7W-203 and the remaining T8H-201 RTSs that were retired around 1990 and 1991) before they were retired in 1996 and 1997.

[s88Limitedbus]

they should have been repowered these buses to Detroit diesel 50 EGR a long time ago.

[baul104]

CTA's 1995 New Flyer D40LF buses has the Series 50 engine you know. And also, I love both the 6V92 and the Series 50 engine and remember, the 6V92 engines were on the buses before the Series 50 were introduced around 1993 fo the buses.

[s88Limitedbus]

sorry for the late reply,yes I know S50 didn't not exsit at that time before it came out in 1993,that why at that time Cummins engine before the Series 50 were introduced around 1993 for the buses.

[baul104]

Forgot to tell you, not all transit agencies can afford to repower their buses; D-dot sometimes rehabs some buses, but they don't repower them. For instance, D-dot's 1979 and 1980 GMC RTS T8H-203 buses has the 8V71 engine with the Allison V730 automatic transmission; they were kept and rehabbed but not repowered because they were FAR too old to have them repowered. I'm just telling you as an example.

[qwandiddy]

Baul104, So what do you think about those TMCs? I bet you felt bad that theirs are more falling apart than D DOTs 1995 RTSes.

[baul104]

Qwandiddy, to tell the truth, I LOVE EM!! Although they're falling apart just like the NovaBus RTSs D-dot has, I still love em anyway. Plus, my city no longer has any 6V92TA powered MCI Classics(1989), New Flyer D40HFs(1992-1993), and Neoplan AN-460s(1989).. One thing that makes me happy is hearing the 6V92TA engine again. Btw, do you think CTA will preserve one of the RTSs at the bus museum? Because if I come back to Chicago next time, I want to see if they have the museum there.

[qwandiddy]

Im sure they will have a Museum for those Lovely TMCs and Flxibles.

So Detroit doesnt museum for 1978-80 GMC RTS, Classics or New Flyers, huh?

Yeah TMC RTS are the ones I love dearly, dont care if they are raggety but I still love them to death. I cry everytime I ride my 1991TMC RTS. At least D-DOTs 2001 RTSes are around for more years. I might considered of moving there. BTW, I'll be there this weekend for the Festival in Detroit Hart Plaza.

[baul104]

Don't forget the Neoplan AN460s! Plus, I wish Detroit, Michigan had the bus museum years ago... Oh, and I hope you enjoyed your festival at the downtown Detroit because, I didn't go anywhere today.

[qwandiddy]

OMG< How can I forget 1989 Newplan AN460s, DDOT operated them for short time, Why in hell and when did they retired them? I've been tryin to find them in 2001, then have to travel to Pittsburgh to ride their (PAT) 1983 Neoplan AN460s. Last time I've rode Detroit's AN460s was in 1998 on Route 14 Warren.

[baul104]

Man, qwandiddy, D-dot retired them around 2001 or 2002. I've seen them a few times, but I never got the chance to ride in these babies.

[qwandiddy]

It kinda figures because DDOT rather keep some GM Classics a bit longer til retired a year after. Do you ever catch any Classics in Windsor? I went there on Memorial Day and got to ride some of their 1987 GM Classics and 1991 MCI Classics and Orion Vs.

And What do you think about Nova Low Floors, did you get to ride any CTA ones (6400s?

[baul104]

I've seen the NovaBus LFSs, but I didn't get the chance to ride in them. Plus, I don't ride Windsor Transit buses, but I see them every time I come to downtown Detroit. Plus, I've seen the Orion V buses since 2002 and 2003, but I've never saw them again.

[richardflint07]

That is a pretty cool Video!!

[baul104]

Thanks! This was my first time on CTA buses anyway.