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About this blog

Ramblings about nothing important

Entries in this blog

For The Transit Fans: Intermission: Building A Project Car

I've been taking a break from the forums for a bit to work a fair amount of overtime at my job in order to start a new hobby.     Team Hoonigan Ford Fiesta ST   Being part of the car culture is a fun and exciting way to express oneself and can be a great hobby. Building a project car involves purchasing a used car at a relatively low price and making it unique and personal.   Purchasing A Project Car: The first question one must ask is Japan, USA or Europe? Buying a project c

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For The Transit Fans: Industry Perspectives: US Market Re-Entry Pt. 2

Continued.....             BYD: The only Chinese Auto Manufacturer to successfully enter the United States is seeking to sell cars in the very near future. Currently BYD manufactures the BYD K9 Fully Electric Transit Bus and has received orders from several transit authorities.   Demand: Automotive Journalists have commented that Americans would be receptive to Chinese cars on sale in the US if the Chinese Manufacturers would improve design, safety and overall build quality. Cur

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For The Transit Fans: Industry Perspectives: US Market Re-Entry

The United States has some of the strictest laws on the books governing the manufacture and sale of new vehicles. This is one reason many automakers have avoided attempting to either return to the United States or break into the market for the first time.   Overview: To understand the likelihood that a manufacturer will spend large amounts of money to enter the US market a set a factors must be assessed first. Demand, Profit, Ease of Entrance. US Regulations began to increase around the e

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For The Transit Fans: Technology Profile: Diesel Engine Runaway

Three dreaded words that no owner of a fleet of trucks or buses ever wants to hear, Diesel Engine Runaway can cost thousands.             Runaway effects Diesel Electric Locomotives as well (Blown Turbo)   The Diesel Engine Cycle differs from the Otto 4 Stroke Cycle often found in cars. In cars fuel and air are mixed which creates controlled explosions in the combustion chambers. Diesel Engines differ in that they work primarily on the concept of high temperature compr

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For The Transit Fans: Vehicle Profile: Dominos DXP

A brilliant PR move and a result of input from Dominos Employees, Customers and Automotive Designers, the DXP is the Ultimate Pizza Delivery Vehicle.     Dominos DXP Front Grille     Manufacturer Quick Facts:   Founded: 2007 Main Office: Phoenix, Arizona Industry: Specialty Vehicles, Drones, 3-D Printed Vehicles Notable Product: Dominos DXP, Rally Fighter     Dominos DXP   Model Quick Facts:   Vehicle Len

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For The Race Fans: Series Profile: 24 Hours of Le Mans

2015 24 Hours of Le Mans Poster   One of the oldest auto races in the world, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been nicknamed "The Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency".     Porsche 919 Hybrid Le Mans Prototype   Series Overview: Born from an era of Grand Prix racing in the 1920s which involved racing from one city to another at high speeds Le Mans presents a different challenge. Grand Prix racing is all about which team can build the fastest car. Endurance racing focuses on

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For The Transit Fans: Technology Profile: Turbochargers

Turbo, one of the coolest words to put on the back of a sports car, Turbochargers work on a very basic principle of forced induction.     Porsche Panamera Turbo S   The Otto Cycle: Or 4 Stroke cycle of an engine involves Intake, where the engine draws air or "Breathes", Compression, compressing the air to a higher temperature, Ignition, the explosion, and Exhaust, expended high pressure air leaving or the engine "exhaling". Turbochargers focus on the last stage of this cycle

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For The Transit Fans: Technology Profile: Engine Types

There are many different types ways to build an engine, each with distinct differences and qualities.     The Ford Focus RS uses Ford's Duratec Engines (Spring 2016 US Release)       Subaru Flat 4 Boxer Engine   Boxer Engines: Boxer Engines, also called "Flat Engines" because of their flat and usually compact profile, use Horizontally Opposed pistons which when moving looking like the gloves of two boxers in a match hence the name. Cars using Boxer Engines typi

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For The Transit Fans: Company Profile: Halifax Transit

Changing its name in 2014 from MetroTransit, Halifax Transit moves 27 million people a year as the largest transit operator in Atlantic Canada.             Halifax Transit New Flyer Xcelsior XD40   Type: Public   Union Representation: Halifax Transit Bus Operators are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 508   Fleet Size: 302 Low-Floor Buses, 4 Ferries   Routes: 67   Manufacturer and Powerplant: Halifax Transit began to procure from New Flyer to phase ou

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For The Transit Fans: Company Profile: Detroit Department of Transportation

Known locally as D-Dot the Detroit Department of Transportation has existed in one form or another since 1922, previously running the city's streetcar network.     Detroit Department of Transportation New Flyer Xcelsior XDE60 Articulated   Type: Public/Private, Service contracted to private Transportation Company MV Transportation   Union Representation: All DDOT Bus Operators are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26   Fleet Size: 300 Low-Floor and Articul

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For The Transit Fans: Company Profile: AC Transit

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District, branded as AC Transit serves Oakland, California as well as a portion of the East Bay area in San Francisco.     AC Transit Van Hool A330   Type: Public   Fleet Size: 586 Low-Floor and Articulated Transit Buses   Routes: 149   Manufacturer and Powerplant: AC Transit is known for procuring buses from Van Hool of Belgium. Van Hool is well known for its Highway Coach offerings but it has only seen moderate success with its line of

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For The Transit Fans: Technology Profile: Radar Countermeasures

It is a common misconception that the vast majority of traffic and speed enforcement is done in the name of safety. It is however false and that profits have triumphed over safety and police officers have been ordered to pull over vehicles at random to achieve ticket quotas.     Radar Countermeasures fitted to the grille of a Subaru Outback   Purpose and Function: Radar Countermeasures are devices fitted to vehicles which detect, sensor and or block radar directed at the veh

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For The Race Fans: Series Profile: A1GP

"The World Cup of Motorsport", A1GP introduced a brand new concept into motorsports and was well received but failed due to improper management.     A1GP Promotional Demonstrator       Series Overview: The Concept of the A1GP Series was founded by Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum of Dubai. The Concept featured a single make of cars each representing a Nation instead of a Team or Manufacturer. Racing Teams in each of the countries interested in participating would

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For The Transit Fans: Manufacturer Profile: Solaris

Solaris Bus and Coach is a Polish heavy vehicle manufacturer well known for its bus offerings across Eastern Europe.             Solaris Urbino 18 CNG Factory Demonstrator       Manufacturer Quick Facts:       Founded: 2001 Main Office: Bolechowo, Poland Notable Product: Urbino, Alpino, InterUrbino, Vacanza, Valletta, Tramino   Solaris is also known for building intercity Trams as well, building models for major cities in Eastern Europe.

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For The Transit Fans: Company Profile: Storstockholms Lokaltrafik

The Greater Stockholm Local Transit Company or SL as it is locally known, organizes land based public transportation in Stockholm             SL MAN Lion's City decorated for LGBT Pride Week   Type: Public/Private Hybrid SL Buses are owned and operated by private companies, SL rail services use SL owned Rolling Stock but are operated by private companies.   Fleet Size: Undisclosed, vehicles are shifted around between various independent contractors and records are pr

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For The Transit Fans: Industry Perspectives: Procurement

(Happy New Year! Wewt Wewt)   Procurement is when Transit Agencies or Motor Carriers are looking to add new vehicles to their fleets or are looking to start operations and need to acquire vehicles.   Stages: The individuals in charge of purchasing new buses for transit fleets are often called "Procurement Officers/Specialists". They often report to a board of directors who run the transit agency.     Volvo 9700 Factory Demonstrator   Stage 1: The board of directors will

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For The Race Fans: Driver Profile: Sabine Schmitz

Known for her often bubbly personality, knowledge of motorsports and intense passion for racing Sabine Schmitz adds a flair of girl power to the male dominated following of motorsports.     Sabine Schmitz with the BMW M5 Ring Taxi   Driver Quick Facts:   Name: Sabine Schmitz Birthday: May 14, 1969 Hometown: Adenau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany Series: World Touring Car Championship Team: Munnich Motorsport GmbH, Porsche, BMW M Sport

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For The Race Fans: Driver Profile: Jeff Gordon

A Nascar Icon with a storied career Jeff Gordon has left a lasting impact on the organization paving the way for the current generation of drivers.             Jeff Gordon       Driver Quick Facts:       Name: Jeffrey Michael Gordon Birthday: August 4, 1971 Hometown: Vallejo, California, United States Series: Nascar Team: Hendrick Motorsports #24 Chevrolet Sponsorship: Dupont Paints (Renamed Axalta), Pepsi, AARP, 3M, Chevrolet

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For The Transit Fans: Industry Perspectives: Unions

Workers in the Transportation Industry often face unfair treatment with regard to simple labor practices that in other industries are not an issue.   The Two Largest Representing Transportation Workers:     Amalgamated Transit Union   Founded: September 15, 1892 Main Office: Washington DC, United States Affiliation: American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) Additional Councils: Canadian Council organized in 198

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For The Transit Fans: Company Profile: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Simply known as the "T" by locals, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is the 4th largest transit network in the United States, averaging 1.3 million trips every weekday nearly 33% of people in the Boston area commute with public transportation.     Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority New Flyer Xcelsior XN40   Type: Public, Semi-Political Subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts   Union Representation: All MBTA Bus Operators are represented by A

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For The Transit Fans: Manufacturer Profile: Alexander Dennis

Alexander Dennis is a British Manufacturer of transit buses and has expanded, acquiring market share internationally.     Alexander Dennis New Enviro 400 Factory Demonstrators   Manufacturer Quick Facts:   Founded: 2004 Main Office: Larbert, Scotland, United Kingdom Notable Product: Enviro 400, Enviro 500, ALX400, Trident, Sabre, Dagger Industry: Buses and Fire Engines     Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service Alexander Dennis S

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For The Transit Fans: Vehicle Profile: Rapid Transit Series

With a production lifespan of over 38 years, the RTS is certainly deserving a place in the Hall of Transit Greats.     NYCTA GMC RTS     Manufacturer Quick Facts:   Founded: 1901 Main Office: Detroit, Michigan Industry: Trucks and Buses Notable Product: GM New-Look, GM Old-Look, RTS. GMC Topkick, CCKW, DUKW, Sierra, Yukon, Terrain     This WMATA GMC RTS still exists today as part of the Historic Fleet   Model Quic

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For The Transit Fans: Technology Profile: Diplomatic License Plates

Issued by the State Department to foreign Diplomats, Ambassadors and Consul's, Diplomatic License Plates are a common sight here in Washington DC and New York City. Any city with major concentrations of Embassies and Consulates have a higher amount of their use.     Cadillac Deville on older Diplomatic License Plates (1985 Template) in NYC near the United Nations Building   Purpose and Function: Diplomatic License Plates are used on vehicles which are owned or used by Embas

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For The Transit Fans: Vehicle Profile: Checker Marathon

The epitome of the word Taxi, The Checker Marathon has long been solidified in the hall of the Transit greats.     Checker Marathon Brochure     Manufacturer Quick Facts:   Founded: 1922 Main Office: Kalamazoo, Michigan Industry: Large Family Sedans, Livery Vehicles, Ambulances Notable Product: Marathon, Supurba, Aerobus     Privately Owned, Partially Restored Checker Marathon   Model Quick Facts:   Body: 4

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For The Transit Fans: Industry Perspectives: Air Alliances

Air Alliances are formed by public and private Airlines and act as a sort of Union acting as the voice of its members in the public arena. These alliances also agree on common fare practices as well as other aviation related matters.   These Alliances also dominate specific sections of air travel in certain parts of the world. An example of this would be American Airlines and British Airways (both OneWorld members) dominance of the Atlantic Ocean Air Travel.   The Largest 3 Are As Follows:

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