Hello, the model letters are actually the following years: Flxible Metro "A": 1983-1986 Flxible Metro "B": 1987-1991 Flxible Metro "C": 1992 Flxible Metro "D": 1993-3rd quarter 1994 Flxible Metro "E": 4th quarter 1994-1996
These buses was real fast with the L 10 Series Motors. I miss these a long with the 2700 series. That the RTD had. I also love the starters on the 2700 Series Flxibles too
I went to Westchester High School in the mid to late 90's, and after school, LAMTA used to send these and GMC RTS-04, to the back of the school, and they would load them to the MAX with students!! Both buses, would handle to heavy load like a beast!! :)
Man nothing beats the sounds of he ole Flxibles with the L10 Cummins and Voith863.3 tranny, That deep sound, rattly interior and that unique 1st to 2nd gear transition sound!
These Buses Will Run Forever Even "After" Retirement And Last Just As Long (Or Longer) Than These So-Called "Hi-Tech" Buses That Are On The Road Now. Long Live The Flxibles & RTS's...Forever Have A Place In My Heart. Thank You For The Memories.
I remember when Hamilton Place Mall first opened in Chattanooga,Tn we had those flxibles with the Cummins L10 and those buses sounded so bassy and powerful.
We will never hear anything near this good again...These,along with the 2600/2700's were not only loud and in charge,but they smoked like nothing else!
*Love* this bus. Rode one on route 2 in LA to work nearly every day for a couple of years. Sometimes I'd pass up the RTS just so I could ride the Flxible. So gutsy, too! Had no problems climbing hills despite being loaded with people.
@jmjfanss Not Since The First Ikerus/Crown Buses Had I Seen A Nicer Bus To Take Over Where Flxible & RTS Left Off. I'm Starting To Like Them More & More Every Time I See Them. Better Looking Than The Flyers I Think.
Those were fun buses to drive! Just don't turn the corner too fast! Ha! It's a shame the cabins made so much noise, especially at idle. L10 + Voith = Good combo. I've heard the Voith wasn't very reliable though. I never had any trouble with them
Believeeeeeee me, they were not! You know when one of these buses had past by your by you. PS: Those LACMTA CNG powered Noeplan AN440 with the L-10 engine, was loud also.
ok somebody gonna have to educate on this A,B,C,D,E, designation. I always thought that was exclusively a New Jersey Transit designation. I always referred to the flxibles by the original model number.
Yes sir,I remember that sound, and that rattle. I know a lot of people love the sound of a Detroit Diesel 6v92, but I take the sound of the larger Cummins L10 to it anyday.
@jmjfanss I'd wish i had the money to buy out Flxible because that was a very good bus company but just didn't have the "Right" people to run it properly.
Was this a CNG powered bus? I asked because I hear a hissing noise every time the driver lets off the accelerator (assuming that it's the gas valve, or whatever you call it).
Yes indeed the L10 sounds real strong on a Neoplan and even more stronger than an L10 Flxible. It's prolly just the way Neos are built because St. Louis also has AN440 CNGs that sound just like LACMTAs Neos
@ea90744 This bus is most likely scrapped; obviously, Scott Richards removed it from his fleet since he has a grudge toward any bus with a Voith transmission.
@henrythebusquy 3700-3791 and 1750-1965 and 1976 all had the C8.3 to ZF, and I think you also said many of the 1989 Flxibles (including 1717-1718; I wonder if this also included any units in series 3500-3605?) were converted to the C8.3/ZF (from the 6V92TA/VR731).
Eddie, have you rode on any "Big Bertha" Flxibles? What I mean by "Big Bertha" is the droning humming of the exhaust. TriMet in Portland, OR runs many "Big Bertha"-sounding buses, namely their 1992 and '94 Flxible Metros and their 1997 Gillig Phantoms, all with Cummins M11 (L10 on the 1992 Flxibles) engines and Voith D863 transmissions.
@jmjfanss I've started to grow on them. I just like "Hi-Floor" buses. Don't get me wrong, I like the Lo-Floors from Flyer also. But I would've loved for them to keep the Hi-Floors as a Option. I guess i like to climb the steps LOL! I've drove the Flyer Hi-Floors when they were new in "91" when i was in Atlanta workong for MARTA part -time. They Handled Extreamely Well.
Talk about hauling ass! Listening to this you would think you are listening to a 4 or 5 speed transmission shifting but this is just a 3 speed voith!! They don't shift into 3rd until around 45 mph. Listen to how long it takes before he's going that fast!
![1989 TMC RTS T80206 - LACMTA ( Metro ) # 1975 [ Sound Recording ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4sfdSs4RBDQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![1989 TMC RTS T80206 - LACMTA ( Metro ) # 1975 [ Sound Recording ]](/img/tr.png)
Hello, the model letters are actually the following years: Flxible Metro "A": 1983-1986
Flxible Metro "B": 1987-1991
Flxible Metro "C": 1992
Flxible Metro "D": 1993-3rd quarter 1994
Flxible Metro "E": 4th quarter 1994-1996
These buses was real fast with the L 10 Series Motors.
I miss these a long with the 2700 series. That the RTD had.
I also love the starters on the 2700 Series Flxibles too
A's are the 79's on back, B's 1980-1991, C's 1992, D's1993-1994, E's 1995 models
@dejohn913
Even those the flxible 870/Metro and RTS were considered High Tech Buses at the time.
I went to Westchester High School in the mid to late 90's, and after school, LAMTA used to send these and GMC RTS-04, to the back of the school, and they would load them to the MAX with students!! Both buses, would handle to heavy load like a beast!! :)
Man nothing beats the sounds of he ole Flxibles with the L10 Cummins and Voith863.3 tranny, That deep sound, rattly interior and that unique 1st to 2nd gear transition sound!
This reminds me taking this same type of bus on Vermont Avenue on the 204 Line
Man that Flxible is right on the money when it comes to the way Transpo's Flxibles sounded, you can tell that this flx likes to rattle too!
That Cummins L10 engine is pretty strong
im used to the lettering not so much on the numbering but i can learn
Sounds nice and a lot quieter than the 6V92 Flxibles
:-) love that rumble..catchin this on the 110 to fox hills back in the day....so many memories
SCRTD/LACMTA did have 10 CNG Flxibles ( # 1800-1809 ).
I still remember the 1800s flexibles made by the actual gas company. Those buses was rarely on the road unfortunately they didn't last long🤷.
I used to always love riding this bus.
When it was the 115, 121, 130, 205, 206, 260.
Larry Netherly I was in this bus my dad did the old 420 now I believe 158 I think
This sounds the same as our metro b's. Im glad the ones we got are still in service.
That hissing sound is the air activated gas pedal and throttle system
These Buses Will Run Forever Even "After" Retirement And Last Just As Long (Or Longer) Than These So-Called "Hi-Tech" Buses That Are On The Road Now. Long Live The Flxibles & RTS's...Forever Have A Place In My Heart. Thank You For The Memories.
I remember when Hamilton Place Mall first opened in Chattanooga,Tn we had those flxibles with the Cummins L10 and those buses sounded so bassy and powerful.
@dejohn913
and Buses are much more shiner than the original.
raggedy as fuck. I love it.
@dejohn913
Got that right.
These buses were very high tech at the time.
We will never hear anything near this good again...These,along with the 2600/2700's were not only loud and in charge,but they smoked like nothing else!
also route 204, 212, 108 and 110.
Routes on: 204, 206, 212, 70, 233, 420, 180, 207, 108, 445, 105, 70, 90, 460, 40, 45, 115, 111, 120
*Love* this bus. Rode one on route 2 in LA to work nearly every day for a couple of years. Sometimes I'd pass up the RTS just so I could ride the Flxible. So gutsy, too! Had no problems climbing hills despite being loaded with people.
@jmjfanss Not Since The First Ikerus/Crown Buses Had I Seen A Nicer Bus To Take Over Where Flxible & RTS Left Off. I'm Starting To Like Them More & More Every Time I See Them. Better Looking Than The Flyers I Think.
Love the air throttle release as well! Excellent recording!
Those were fun buses to drive! Just don't turn the corner too fast! Ha! It's a shame the cabins made so much noise, especially at idle. L10 + Voith = Good combo. I've heard the Voith wasn't very reliable though. I never had any trouble with them
Route 111, 311, 211 in Los Angeles. Best buses to ride cause of that engine.
And route 204
Childhood memories
@sanchezv8
No Those 1995 Neoplans where the first to use CNG L10g
BEAUTIFUL SOUNDING L10 !!
Flx Metros had really noisy air throttles, gave them character.
Believeeeeeee me, they were not! You know when one of these buses had past by your by you.
PS: Those LACMTA CNG powered Noeplan AN440 with the L-10 engine, was loud also.
That's always been a good thing about the L series engines! Loud, powerful, and tough!
@bigken6005
It was 8731-8740 that used the L10 and Voith.
@jmjfanss So Whats Next For Orion's Next Generation? I've Heard They're Pretty Good Low Floors. I've Only Driven The Last Of the Orion 5 Models.
ok somebody gonna have to educate on this A,B,C,D,E, designation. I always thought that was exclusively a New Jersey Transit designation. I always referred to the flxibles by the original model number.
@dejohn913
Especially Miami's
I allways wanted to know as well. We had D, and E series in Pgh.
D's are 1993-1994 and E are 1995 models.
now this is the bus i remember riding when they had these on Marta when i was younger
@dejohn913
and the NABI's are stylish buses.
I love this so far
Yes sir,I remember that sound, and that rattle. I know a lot of people love the sound of a Detroit Diesel 6v92, but I take the sound of the larger Cummins L10 to it anyday.
These were cool MTA buses
@dejohn913
Although I Like New Flyer as well.
@dejohn913
But sadly Low Floors are gonna become the norm.
I remember those buses from Manchester Ave in LA
@dejohn913
But at least we got new flyers, NABI and to a lesser extent gilligs.
@jmjfanss I'd wish i had the money to buy out Flxible because that was a very good bus company but just didn't have the "Right" people to run it properly.
@jmjfanss You're Absolutely Right My Friend On That One. Without Old School Technology, There Wouldn't Be A Today's Bus Technology.
More Style Wouldn't You Think? Instead Of The "Cheesy Look". LOL!
@jmjfanss I accually Like Them. They're Different.
@jmjfanss Yes I Do Believe That. Seems Like NABI's Are The Way To Go As An Alternative To The New Flyers & Orion Low Floor Next Generation Buses.
Was this a CNG powered bus? I asked because I hear a hissing noise every time the driver lets off the accelerator (assuming that it's the gas valve, or whatever you call it).
HOLY HELL!!! I LOVE THESE BUSES!!!
I love to ride these buses mainly cause of the virbration from the engine. xD
@dejohn913
and they are the sleekest.
did you get this recording when scott owned the bus?
@dejohn913
They need sleeker buses.
@dejohn913
Got that right.
Yes indeed the L10 sounds real strong on a Neoplan and even more stronger than an L10 Flxible. It's prolly just the way Neos are built because St. Louis also has AN440 CNGs that sound just like LACMTAs Neos
Our Flx in Miami use to rattle like that
This video should be a tribute to Lines 115, 40 and 108, because these was lines that used these buses in large amount.
There's Flexie! But he's not with his partner, Twinkie
yes i did.
is this a cng i like tht turbo
YES!!!!Oh the memories..Shake rattle and roll!
Route 115 110,108,212,210,204,111,112 207,
@ECDT1089
8731 you mean. I think 8731-8745 were the Cummins. My fav was 8737.
I think some were cng
@ea90744
This bus is most likely scrapped; obviously, Scott Richards removed it from his fleet since he has a grudge toward any bus with a Voith transmission.
this is a diesel bus.
Cool! thanks for the info
@quickbus
Yea. I remember that.
@henrythebusquy
3700-3791 and 1750-1965 and 1976 all had the C8.3 to ZF, and I think you also said many of the 1989 Flxibles (including 1717-1718; I wonder if this also included any units in series 3500-3605?) were converted to the C8.3/ZF (from the 6V92TA/VR731).
Eddie, have you rode on any "Big Bertha" Flxibles? What I mean by "Big Bertha" is the droning humming of the exhaust.
TriMet in Portland, OR runs many "Big Bertha"-sounding buses, namely their 1992 and '94 Flxible Metros and their 1997 Gillig Phantoms, all with Cummins M11 (L10 on the 1992 Flxibles) engines and Voith D863 transmissions.
route 115 Manchester Ave
and the famed lean!
@jmjfanss I've started to grow on them. I just like "Hi-Floor" buses. Don't get me wrong, I like the Lo-Floors from Flyer also. But I would've loved for them to keep the Hi-Floors as a Option. I guess i like to climb the steps LOL! I've drove the Flyer Hi-Floors when they were new in "91" when i was in Atlanta workong for MARTA part -time. They Handled Extreamely Well.
What is that one hissing sound, that happens when the bus changes gears?
@jmjfanss Yes So True My Friend. Even School Bus Manufactors Are Getting Into The Act. Go Figure.
@flxiblemetro9150
Air brake, maybe?
Engine sound same as Dennis Dragon
@episodesbook air starters
What is that one hissing sound?
Talk about hauling ass! Listening to this you would think you are listening to a 4 or 5 speed transmission shifting but this is just a 3 speed voith!! They don't shift into 3rd until around 45 mph. Listen to how long it takes before he's going that fast!