Jump to content

Ex-GO Coaches


38 Highland Creek
 Share

Recommended Posts

Call GO if they still have manual books left, but they may have tossed it out!

lol, I was thinking about that but I was hoping for someone who works for Go Transit, could help me out. I may call DCBNA tomorrow and see if they can e-mail me a PDF version. They probably have an archived one sitting their intranet!

I've seen my share of prevosts too, I also work on current production electronic powertrains with 4 wheel drum brakes with wabco abs.

What was your point?

If the college is only prepared to teach procedure theory, why bother having the vehicles in the first place?

What the hell kind of Mickey mouse outfit are they running over there.

As for the batteries, who said anything about swapping from a truck? call up Deka of East Penn and ask for a pair of 8d's. They know exactly what your falling about. They retail for about 250$ apiece for something in the 1500cca ballpark.

Your school will have to blow the dust off it's cheque book for this one.

Much has changed since I came through that course in Ashtonbee in 1999, and not for the better, apparently.

I have heard all the gossip about Astonbee. I seem to learn more while working on the job than at school. I am just there to learn and enjoy the career.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As for the batteries, they are one of a kind in specs mainly the CCA so you can't just swap batteries from a Freightliner or International Truck to a Motor Coach Bus such as MCI. As well the trucks use 12volt systems where are buses use 24volt systems because of added accessories. It's not as easy as you think, there is a lot of homework involved and I learned that through Semester 1 of the Truck Coach Program.

I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt, but here's a tip:

One semester of theory does not compensate for 12 years of career.

Evidently you haven't heard of me. I'm bus_medic. Get it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[\quote]

I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt, but here's a tip:

One semester of theory does not compensate for 12 years of career.

Evidently you haven't head of me. I'm bus_medic. Get it?

Nice name! Yeah compared to you I am a fresh man, I get it! I have worked with other mechanics who have been in the industry longer. I am only 24 years of age and still learning. One of the instructors has worked for Go Transit and Greyhound Canada and he has prepared me when I began working on Motor Coaches. As of now I just take in on what I have learned and what I have experienced. I do know that the batteries can be replaced and yes the school is aware that they would have to buy them from the States. I can't influence them in overhauling the bus (in which I would have preferred to do since I would have had some experience) but the College has their own reasons and I have to respect it. Maybe later on I can work for MTB or ABC Companies which do specialize in overhauling buses. I would rather learn on how to overhaul the bus but then the Government is the who makes up the curriculum and not the College. My semester 1 class protested that we have done more theory than lab time. We would prefer lab over theory but there is nothing we can do until we graduate and look for an employer who specializes in overhauling buses. I am sure you are a great mechanic but everything you have said about the batteries, I have suggested to the instructors. I went on Co-op and then the MCI bus was replaced by a Orion bus... I really wanted to learn with the MCI coach based it was a lemon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Actually yeah 1530 had slack adjusters. I work on buses with disc brakes and computer diagnostics via a PC, mainly Prevost H3-45s. So, yeah this bus was pretty much obsolete for today. There is no problem in repairing as Student Apprentice Mechanics it's the fact that that MCI would have been making money off the school. I myself and 2 teachers went through this bus and recorded the defects. Most of the components would have to be ordered through MCI and the school is not in the position of doing that. The school just teaches us the procedures in which we practice with on the vehicles in the lab. The Orion V would be better to work on since it's current and the bus is not a complete lemon. At least Orion can supply the technical drawings for our use (so we can have an understanding on repairing and servicing buses - not overhaul a bus - we're fresh in the trade). As for the batteries, they are one of a kind in specs mainly the CCA so you can't just swap batteries from a Freightliner or International Truck to a Motor Coach Bus such as MCI. As well the trucks use 12volt systems where are buses use 24volt systems because of added accessories. It's not as easy as you think, there is a lot of homework involved and I learned that through Semester 1 of the Truck Coach Program.

As well, does anybody know where I can get the Operator's Manual for the 2004 Orion V Suburban bus? I have a Z endorsement test and I want to familiarize my self with Orion's configurations. I may call DCBNA tomorrow to see if I can get a PDF.

I wouldn't consider it obsolete. Sure, its older, but look around, not every company can afford to have a modern fleet. Disc brakes are still not standard on most transit buses these days so S cam drum brakes are nowhere near obsolete.. There is a reason why this stuff is still taught, because chances are you'll run into it in the field. As for batteries, 8D isn't anything special and for CCAs it isn't a huge deal to use a battery of lower or greater CCAs. As for 12v vs 24v, all it takes is a cable to run the batteries in series as I think has been posted before me by bus_medic.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wouldn't consider it obsolete. Sure, its older, but look around, not every company can afford to have a modern fleet. Disc brakes are still not standard on most transit buses these days so S cam drum brakes are nowhere near obsolete.. There is a reason why this stuff is still taught, because chances are you'll run into it in the field. As for batteries, 8D isn't anything special and for CCAs it isn't a huge deal to use a battery of lower or greater CCAs. As for 12v vs 24v, all it takes is a cable to run the batteries in series as I think has been posted before me by bus_medic.

The hugh deal is the school wants to replace what is original in the bus but like 'bus_medic' stated it's a company from the States. I have tried to persuade them to find something similar but instead the bus got the boot. The batteries were also very old and it took 1 month to break the sulfation off the plates. The batteries on the Orion V were put in in December 2009 at least those would last long.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The hugh deal is the school wants to replace what is original in the bus but like 'bus_medic' stated it's a company from the States. I have tried to persuade them to find something similar but instead the bus got the boot. The batteries were also very old and it took 1 month to break the sulfation off the plates. The batteries on the Orion V were put in in December 2009 at least those would last long.

That's not what I said at all.

I said East Penn is the local Toronto Distributor.

East penn

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't let the name fool you, East Penn is actually a greater Toronto area battery distributor.

The commission,and every coach outfit I've ever apprenticed in were clients.

The bus got the boot so oh well. I guess the instructor overlooked that there was a Canadian Distributor. When I worked for the fleet operator, Prevost was the supplier of parts including batteries so there was no problem there in replace parts and components.

I have purchased an 8D battery in Ontario so why do you think your school would have to go to the states to get one? :(

Go to my last post for the explanation...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The hugh deal is the school wants to replace what is original in the bus but like 'bus_medic' stated it's a company from the States. I have tried to persuade them to find something similar but instead the bus got the boot. The batteries were also very old and it took 1 month to break the sulfation off the plates. The batteries on the Orion V were put in in December 2009 at least those would last long.

Why would you bother breaking the sulfation?! Its not that hard to source batteries and the batteries in that Orion V need a good charge.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's not what I said at all.

I said East Penn is the local Toronto Distributor.

Sadly I never heard of this distributor until now.

Why would you bother breaking the sulfation?! Its not that hard to source batteries and the batteries in that Orion V need a good charge.

That's what the school wanted, the batteries in the Orion are in much better shape than the ones in the MCI. Like I said it was put in in December 2009. The batteries in the MCI were probably the original since it was built! lol Also they're not maintenance free batteries, you have to check the electrolyte. Some fleets still use those batteries but when they can't hold a charge, they just replace them, which I think is better than wasting time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why would you bother breaking the sulfation?! Its not that hard to source batteries and the batteries in that Orion V need a good charge.

If it were me, I'd just exchange them at east penn and consider the price difference peace of mind.

Well worth the 400 or so bones.

Dinex multiplexing doesn't like questionable batteries with surface charges. Drop below 10 volts even while cranking, and it's game over.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If it were me, I'd just exchange them at east penn and consider the price difference peace of mind.

Well worth the 400 or so bones.

Dinex multiplexing doesn't like questionable batteries with surface charges. Drop below 10 volts even while cranking, and it's game over.

Dude, the fleet that I was would just do that. We would just replace 'questionable' parts. Unless if someone forgot to shut off the master switch then all it needs is a charge and then it's fine. All I want to do is complete my course and work. The Truck Coach would need to be overhauled to reflect the current trends of how maintenance is done, not trying to salvage batteries! lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dude, the fleet that I was would just do that. We would just replace 'questionable' parts. Unless if someone forgot to shut off the master switch then all it needs is a charge and then it's fine. All I want to do is complete my course and work. The Truck Coach would need to be overhauled to reflect the current trends of how maintenance is done, not trying to salvage batteries! lol

Can't diagnose much if the ecu is dead and doesn't even crank.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Back on topic ... courtesy of the Buschat website, here is a shot (albeit a very blurry one) of Private Transportation # 522. Private Transportation operates out of the Manhattan/Brooklyn boroughs.

It is pretty obvious what the heritage of this bus is !! It is not my shot so unfortunately no more details are known.

Private_Transp_522_Ex_GO.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Back on topic ... courtesy of the Buschat website, here is a shot (albeit a very blurry one) of Private Transportation # 522. Private Transportation operates out of the Manhattan/Brooklyn boroughs.

It is pretty obvious what the heritage of this bus is !! It is not my shot so unfortunately no more details are known.

Ah, just like one of the decalless GO buses I saw at Casino Rama the other day which still displays "GO CHARTER GO". Gave me a good chuckle.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Back on topic ... courtesy of the Buschat website, here is a shot (albeit a very blurry one) of Private Transportation # 522. Private Transportation operates out of the Manhattan/Brooklyn boroughs.

It is pretty obvious what the heritage of this bus is !! It is not my shot so unfortunately no more details are known.

That would be confusing when I go to New York City! lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Back on topic ... courtesy of the Buschat website, here is a shot (albeit a very blurry one) of Private Transportation # 522. Private Transportation operates out of the Manhattan/Brooklyn boroughs.

It is pretty obvious what the heritage of this bus is !! It is not my shot so unfortunately no more details are known.

That must be the one that was seen early this year in Brooklyn still in GO colours parked at the yard of the bus company that operates that service

http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/f18...on-v-30853.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Around 10:15 this evening a former GO bus was headed west on Danforth at Main, numbered 161. (The rollsign read 'GO CHARTERED GO')

Probably one of the two that daiwa tours has . I saw the older ( go 1400 I think?) leave their compound ironically next to Malvern garage at around 3 pm.

Their other bus is an ex go Prevost, which they also keep next to Malvern.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...