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Photos & Videos: Washington Metro Area


Nabinut

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This past Saturday had a chance to explore the fourth largest Transit System in the United States. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority provides service to two states and the District of Columbia. Here are some photos and videos from the day:

 

Orion V #2219 awaits its next run at Friendship Heights Station. This is one of three series of Orion V run by Metrobus:

RTA3786.jpg

 

New Flyer D40LFR #6112 arrives at Anacostia Station. This is one of 117 D40LFRs that feature roof mounted A/Cs and rear windows

RTA3798.jpg

 

Metrobus also runs two different fleets of CNG buses. The second order also came from Orion. 2635 is a 2005 Orion VII and part of a 250 bus order with two lots; 30 Semi-Suburbans and 30 '30' foot Orion VIIs

RTA3795.jpg

 

The second fleet of CNG buses are comprised of 164 New Flyer C40LFs from 2003. Here's 2428 in the new scheme early in the evening:

RTA3809.jpg

 

The latest purchase made by Metrobus is New Flyer DE42LFA BRT Model. They are in the process of delivering 525 in three different sizes: 37, 42 & 62 foot. Here's LFA #6353 on layover in Metrobus' new paint scheme:

RTA3787.jpg

 

The other system toured this day was Montgomery Ride-On which offers service in Maryland's largest county. Ride-On runs a fleet of 30 to 40 foot buses, CNG, Diesel and Diesel Electric with most of the orders coming from Gillig. Here's a few photos:

 

5712 is a 1999 Orion V 40 footer (The year of the coach is placed next to the fleet number) and is one of 25 in service:

RTA3790.jpg

 

5348 is a brand new Diesel Electric bus built by Gillig which features a new, more brighter paint scheme:

RTA3788.jpg

 

5835 is one of 15 New Flyer C40LFs run by Ride-On and their second venture into CNG:

RTA3789.jpg

 

Lastly, here is a photo of 35 foot Orion VII CNG #5946, one of 57 built between 2005 & 2006. The order features two different transmission (Voith & ZF) but carries a Cummins ISC Gas Plus engine:

RTA3791.jpg

 

Now for the Videos:

 

Metrobus:

 

Orion VI #2093

 

 

New Flyer C40LF #2378

 

 

New Flyer D40LFR #6201:

 

 

New Flyer DE42LFA #6344:

 

 

Montgomery Ride-On:

 

Gillig Phantom #5412:

 

 

Orion VII CNG #5946:

 

 

Gillig Advantage Low Floor #5020:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqbCKoFsaAk

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Spending Christmas Eve in town, I captured more photos and videos. Enjoy!

 

Metro Extra 2805 in front of Walter Reed Hospital:

RTA3823.jpg

 

Flxible Metro E #4078 seen shortly before a run on the J3:

RTA3826.jpg

 

Still going strong, Nabi 5210 awaits a green to start its run on the Y5:

RTA3829.jpg

 

9413, the last 40 foot Flxible Metro B awaits to start its run on the Z8:

RTA3831.jpg

 

Ride-On 5303, originally numbered 5753 is seen at Wheaton Station:

RTA3834.jpg

 

Orion VII 5940 circles around Shady Grove Station:

RTA3837.jpg

 

5401, the first of 22 NABI 60 Foot BRT artics sits outside Minnesota Avenue Station before its run on the U8:

RTA3843.jpg

 

Flxible Metro B #9399 in full sunshine on the A8 just outside Anacostia Metro Station:

RTA3845.jpg

 

NFI C40LF 2354 passes by the famed "Gate to Chinatown":

RTA3865.jpg

 

NFI DE62LFA #5442 heading towards Downtown DC on Route 70:

RTA3869.jpg

 

Loudoun County Transit MCI D4500 71008:

RTA3875.jpg

 

NFI express scheme 6437 at the beginning of the S9 limited to Sliver Spring Station:

RTA3879.jpg

 

Videos:

 

New Flyer C40LF (Audio):

 

 

New Flyer DE62LFA #5449:

 

 

Neoplan AN-460 #5306:

 

 

Flxible Metro B #9413:

 

 

Ride-On Orion V #5720:

 

 

Ride-On New Flyer C40LF (Audio):

 

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I don't get the WMATA bus route identification system. B2, D3, P6, Z11...what do all these letters mean?

 

BTW, nice pix.

 

Our bus numbering system isnt like NYC's. We do it randomly. The letters dont stand for anything. Only letter route that means something is the REX. Richmond Highway Express.

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I don't get the WMATA bus route identification system. B2, D3, P6, Z11...what do all these letters mean?

 

BTW, nice pix.

 

The letters identify not only the route but the state it runs in. For example Q2 means the line runs mostly in maryland where 28A means it runs mostly in Virginia. The numbers only means it is a line that runs mostly in DC. This system is part of the former companies that ran service before WMATA took over in 1973.

 

For more info, just google DCATZ (DC Area Transit Zone) where you can get the full explanation

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The letters identify not only the route but the state it runs in. For example Q2 means the line runs mostly in Maryland...

 

Last time I checked, the letter Q isn't used to spell Maryland. And if you group in District of Columbia and Virginia, you won't find a P or a Z either.

 

So WTF?!?!?:confused:

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