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Stalliongrad

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  1. Stalliongrad
    ​Americans have very specific buying tastes, Americans like large crossover SUVs with preferably a V8 engine under the hood and enough room for at least 5 people. Noticing these trends has opened up a brand new segment of luxury vehicles which may have seemed ridiculous 5 years ago.
     



     

    ​Porsche Cayenne Turbo


     
    ​Porsche: ​Arguably the one that started it all, Porsche was the first to attempt a realistic fusion of a sports car and a family SUV. The Cayenne launched in 2002 and many automotive critics were skeptical that the truck would be even remotely capable of performing anywhere close to a sports car. They were pleasantly disappointed as the Cayenne had good performance and handling. The first generation of the Cayenne sold better than anticipated and was slotted a tier above its Volkswagen Touareg clone. It surpassed both the BMW X5 and Mercedes Benz ML in luxury and performance. The only complaint about the first Cayenne being that it wasn't a pretty vehicle to look at. The German completion would not catch up to the Cayenne's success for nearly a decade. Porsche has expanded on its lead by adding a smaller sports car based SUV to its line up the Macan which also comes in a Turbocharged or Diesel variant.
     




     

    2017 Lamborghini Urus


     

    ​Lamborghini: ​After much speculation and the unveiling of the Urus as a concept vehicle, Lamborghini announced in 2013 that the Urus would begin production in late 2016 and go on sale as a 2017 model. Because Lamborghini is part of Volkswagen group this vehicle will share the same platform as the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7. It will be the second SUV produced by Lamborghini, the first being the LM002 which was a true off roader. The idea of Lamborghini producing trucks is not so far fetched as the company was originally founded as a tractor company.
     
     
     



     

    2018 Bentley Bentayga


     
    ​Bentley: ​Bentley, the British member of the Volkswagen family has also built a performance SUV on the Porsche Cayenne platform called the Bentayga. Bentley claims it to be the worlds fastest production SUV as it is powered by a Volkswagen W12 engine and full time all wheel drive. The Bentayga is twice as expensive as a standard Range Rover and was slotted to debut before rival vehicles in this segment also begin to enter production.
     




     

    2018 Rolls Royce Cullinan


     
    Rolls Royce Motor Cars: ​Rolls Royce announced in 2015 it would be releasing its first ever SUV which would begin production in late 2017. Very little about the vehicle has been released other than an official teaser image of the concept. Because Rolls Royce is part of the BMW family it is likely to share a platform with BMW's large SUVs like the X5 or X6.
     
     
     



     

    Mercedes Benz GLE Coupe


     

    ​Mercedes Benz: ​In the past the only rivalry in this segment was between the famed Mercedes ML and BMW X5. Now that the other German companies have stepped up their offerings, Mercedes has been struggling to remain on top. They have corrected this with offering more SUV configurations than any of its competitors. The most comparable to this segment its the GLE. Mercedes Benz themselves describe the GLE as an "SUV with the soul of a sports car". The GLE is significantly cheaper than its rivals but is more geared toward on road sports performance driving rather than off road capability.
     




     

    2017 Maserati Levante


     
    ​Maserati: ​In 2011 Maserati, part of the Fiat Group revealed a concept SUV called the Maserati Kubang. It was simply a rebadged version of a Jeep Grand Cherokee designed to appear as a Maserati and be able to compete in the segment. While the Kubang was abandoned, Maserati decided to build an SUV from scratch to compete with the German dominance in the segment. The Levante will also be released in 2017.
     




     

    2017 Jaguar F-Pace


     
    ​Jaguar: ​Part of Jaguar-Land Rover Group owned by Tata Group, it has long been explored what a combination of a Jaguar luxury car and a Land Rover SUV would look like. Due to other manufacturers proceeding forward with vehicles in this bracket Jaguar decided to take the plunge. The Jaguar F-Pace debuted in 2015 as a support vehicle in the Tour De France. The F-Pace shares a platform with both the Range Rover Evoque and the Range Rover Sport and shares components from the Jaguar XJ. It is Jaguar's first ever SUV.
     
     
     



     

    2016 Tesla Model X


     
    Tesla: ​Strong sales of the Model S and finally achieving financial viability Tesla had long developed plans for an SUV or Crossover vehicle sharing the same base formula as the Model S. The model X is much taller and shares the stance of most other SUV's on the road but is unique in that, being a Tesla means its 100% an electric vehicle. But perhaps its most notable feature being the rear mounted gullwing doors. Tesla designed a sensor which allows for the doors to open at exactly at the correct height even when parked closely next to other vehicles in tight parking situations. It is one of the most expensive on the list starting at $108,000.
     
     
     
    Which of these insanely expensive SUV's do you think is the most likely to never see an unpaved trail?
  2. Stalliongrad
    ​(So Sorry I've been AWOL, work/life been crazy)


     




     


    A newer automotive startup, seeking to reinvent personal mobility while achieving astonishing goals of building cars with high fuel economy, improved safety and low MSRP.


     


    ​Manufacturer Quick Facts:


     

    ​Founded: ​August 1, 2009



    ​Main Office: ​Phoenix, Arizona, United States



    ​Industry: ​High MPG Economy Cars



    Notable Products: ​P4, P5


     




     

    Elio Motors P4 in "Creamsicle" color


     

    ​Founder Paul Elio started his company after analyzing the current issues plaguing sales of small cars in the U.S. He set out to build a car that was fun to drive, very affordable, safe, has great MPG and was environmentally friendly. The car the company created is the Elio P4 and P5 prototypes. The vehicles are three wheeled, open wheeled economy cars the company hopes to sell for only $7,000. Elio claims its goal is to get the cars to reach an astounding 84 MPG.
     




     

    ​Elio Motors P5 in "Red Hot" color


     


    ​Model Quick Facts:


     

    ​Vehicle Length: ​160 inches



    ​Vehicle Height: ​54.2 inches



    ​Wheelbase: ​110 inches



    Engine: ​Elio Motors 3 Cyl .9 Liter SOHC



    Transmission: ​5 Speed Manual or Automatically Shifted Manual Transmissions



    Assembly: ​Shreveport, Louisiana, United States (Former GM Hummer Plant)


     



     

    Elio Motors P5 in "Sour Apple" color


     
    ​
    Elio Motors' kickstarter raised over 30% more than its initial goal. Currently the vehicle has not entered production as the company hopes to reach nearly 70,000 reservations in order to secure Department of Transportation loan.
     
    The Car achieves its low MSRP because it uses no new technology, rather it sources existing parts from auto parts manufacturers and uses those instead, some with slight modifications. The steering wheel is the same one found in the Chevrolet Camaro for example. Using existing parts and basic manufacturing methods help reduce cost. The car also comes with no trim level options. Extras can be added either after purchase or during purchase. This allow you to order exactly what features you want without having to buy a whole package.
     
    For example to Equip a standard Ford Focus with Navigation is not possible. In order to get Navigation you have to buy the Ford Focus Titanium which is the highest trim level. The Titanium also comes with Heated Leather Seats, Heated Mirrors, Fog Lamps, 17 Inch Alloy Rims, Sony Audio System, Sunroof etc. All of this combined adds another $3,000 to the car for only one feature that you wanted. Because the car's parts are all sourced directly from existing manufacturers adding options will be very easy.
     




     

    Elio Motors P5 Interior


     
    ​The P5 features tandem seating (front and back rather than side to side) and does not sacrifice basic comforts. The Car does come with air conditioning and heating, cruise control, power windows, and lock (car only has one door), AM/FM radio and Bluetooth connectivity. The car also comes with a warranty of 3 years/36,000 miles. Features controlled by an Ipad or Android device will also allow for the car to be started remotely.
     
    Uniquely because the company is small and has a limited capability to provide service, Elio has entered into an agreement with national automotive parts and repair shop Pepboy's. to be the official service center for the car. Because the car is very basic and the parts already can be found on other vehicles the Technicians at Pepboys wouldn't have much trouble learning how to fix the P5.
     



     

    Elio Motors P5 in "Marshmallow" color


     

    The car is expected to be sold for $7,000 and can be registered as a motorcycle in most states. Due to newer 3 wheeled cars entering the market most states now allow "Enclosed motorcycles" to be driven without a helmet. The P5 is considered a motorcycle to due federal regulations classifying 3 wheeled vehicles as motorcylces. Unlike a similar vehicle, the Polaris Slingshot which also has 3 wheels, the power in the P5 is sent to the front wheels rather than the rear providing better traction in different weather conditions.
     


    Reviews of the Prototype


     





     





  3. Stalliongrad
    A unique partnership joining dozens of bus companies under one umbrella, Trailways ensures all private charter bus companies get a fair share of business.


     



     

    Susquehanna Trailways Prevost H3-45


     
     
     
    ​Type: ​Private, Alliance of 70 Charter Bus Operators
     

    ​Union Representation: ​Some Locations Unionized
     

    ​Fleet Size: ​Not Disclosed
     

    ​Routes: ​Few Dedicated Routes, Mostly Chartered Point to Point Service
     

    ​Manufacturer and Powerplant: ​Most companies operating under the Trailways banner use either MCI or Prevost models. Other popular models come from Van Hool and Setra. New companies who have taken out loans or are leasing brand new charter buses are increasingly using non US spec vehicles from manufacturers such as CIAO, Temsa, Volvo and Ankai to lower costs.
     




     

    Fullington Trailways MCI J4500


     
    ​
     
    Fare Collection: ​Payment for charter services are made before the trip takes place. Pricing is uniform to the Trailways network but companies reserve the right to charge more if certain circumstances require unique accommodation.
     




     


    First Priority Trailways MCI J4500


     
     
     
    Livery:​ All companies part of the Trailways Alliance are free to use their own corporate liveries for their fleets but all display the Trailways logo as part of their livery to show they operate as part of a joint network.
     




     

    Heartland Trailways MCI J4500


     
     
     
    Innovations: ​Founded right around the peak of Greyhound's dominance, an alliance of smaller bus companies was needed to challenge the much larger Greyhound. Trailways is an alliance of over 70 private bus companies who either specialize in Charter Bus Service or Tourism/Sightseeing Services, sometimes both. Being part of the Trailways alliance gives each company "preferred status" in its home district. This means if a big contract to move a MLB Baseball team comes up and the team is located in Company A's service area, Company B cannot steal it away. The alliance ensures fair competition as well as assistance. If Company A is overwhelmed by the contract Company B can be asked to assist for a share of the profits.
     



     

    ​Sometimes the U.S. Government hires private charter companies to move around Government employees or military personnel. Trailways Alliance members who are given this special type of contract must have their employees pass government background checks and have security clearances. Once they complete this the need to constantly vet the company is no longer needed and the company is awarded this special logo for use on buses carrying out Government contracts.
     
     
     


    Trailways


     





     





  4. Stalliongrad
    Let's take a look back at some of the brands we lost over the last decade and some of the vehicles which made them notable


     



     

    2012 Saab 9-5 (Final Release)


     
    ​Saab: The Swedish Yin to Volvo's Yang, Saab had a very interesting history and a very strict company culture which it could not deviate from. That eventually led to Saab's sad end which could have been prevented. In 1989 General Motors invested $600 Million in Saab essentially taking a 50% stake in the company. This meant that Saab had to comply with the business practices carried out by General Motors known as Badge Engineering. To save on costs and still be competitive, GM builds "platforms" onto which multiple body styles and engines could be mounted. For example, the GM Epsilon platform is GM's entry into the large sedan market. Multiple cars have been built onto this platform such as Opel Insignia, Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, Cadillac XTS, and the Chevrolet Impala. All of these vehicles look very similar while having different engines and interiors which makes people think they are not related. This practice is done internationally but GM is king of doing this. Saab has always been known for building strong and sturdy "Swedish Bricks" which could withstand hitting a deer. Safety was the big selling point of Saab, however safe cars are expensive cars. Saab would often disregard GM Corporate and refuse to build cars onto existing platforms. Eventually GM would put Saab up for sale due to the amount of money lost on the brand. Saab was sold back to the Swedish Government and then sold to Dutch Supercar manufacturer Spyker. The size of Saab was too much for Spyker and the brand eventually died. Spyker could not get the Saab 9-5 into all international markets fast enough and a low enough price to boost sales quickly. The last Saab 9-5 did comply with GM's orders however, as it also shares the GM Epsilon platform.
     




     

    2002 Hummer H2


     
    Hummer: In 1992 AM General, the manufacturer of the Military M998 HMMWV began to sell a civilian version called the Hummer H1. The H1 sold very well with serious off road enthusiasts and the H1 had a high demand and was a practical vehicle for those types of environments. The truck was also popular with actors such as Arnold Schwarzenegger. A few years later in 1998 General Motors purchased the brand name "Hummer" and offered two other SUV's based on the H1 but smaller and more accessible to the civilian market. The H2 and H3 were trucks which were introduced right before the worst economic downturn since the great depression. When Americans were living paycheck to paycheck and fuel was over $4 a gallon the market for large offroad SUV's evaporated almost instantly. The H2's fuel economy was 10 City 14 Highway. The Hummer brand was entirely composed of SUV's and was hit the hardest however other trucks of this caliber also saw extinction such as the Ford Excursion. After no longer being able to justify the brand along with dwindling sales Hummer production was halted and the brand was put up for sale. Despite the impracticality of the trucks in the US they did have a demand internationally. The H2 sold well in Russia and South Africa. Two companies expressed interest in buying the brand. Mahindra and Mahindra of India which specializes in SUV production was interested in purchasing the brand as well as Tenghzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company, a Chinese firm which builds unlicensed copies of the Hummer for the Chinese Military. The sale was prevented to China because of​ "security concerns".



     

    2009 Suzuki Kizashi


     
    ​Suzuki: The Japanese brand many forget about pulled its Automobile sales out of North America after finally admitting defeat. Suzuki faced difficulty with its Japanese competition in the form of Toyota, Nissan and Honda. Suzuki's vehicles were always described as "a step down" from the Japanese big three. The vehicles themselves were not terribly engineered but North American customers care a great deal about how a car's interior feels and looks as well as how it makes them feel. Suzuki vehicles were practical city cars with basic interiors and Suzuki was not willing to improve on this to boost North American sales. In other markets the interior feeling "cheap" is not an issue and this is why Suzuki cars sell very well in Latin America, India and Southeast Asia. Suzuki tried one last time to win over North American buyers with the Kizashi. The car was more of the same. A practical basic A to B car with no flare or flash about it. To give context, the Toyota Corolla can be ordered with up to 4 different interior colors, wheel designs and even an extra trim level in the form of the Corolla S. Toyota offers many different ways to build a Corolla while still maintaining a similar price. The Chevrolet Cruze can be offered the same way with many extras and add ons to make it feel premium. This is what has to be done in the North American market. Suzuki simply didn't fit. Suzuki still honors any existing warranties on any cars sold in the North American Market and still sells its other products such as Motorcycles, Boat Engines and other small engines.
     




     

    2006 Pontiac GTO


     
    Pontiac: ​Named after the Ottawa war chief who fought against the British occupation of the Great Lakes region, Pontiac was the performance marque of the General Motors lineup. Pontiac much like other GM brands such as Oldsmobile saw great popularity from the 1960's all the way to the 1980's and had a firm hold in the market. However in the 1990's the Japanese brands all began encroaching on the market for cheap two door sports cars. Pontiac started to suffer when GM ceased to allow Pontiac the power to innovate. All Pontiac cars had to share a GM platform and Pontiac ceased to be a sporty brand. As part of the 2008 restructuring of GM Pontiac was dropped from the GM lineup.
     
     
     



     


    ​2010 Mercury Milan


     

    ​Mercury: ​The brand was created to be an entry level luxury marque a step in between Ford and Lincoln. Its vehicles were carbon copies of Ford models with slightly different exterior changes and premium feeling interiors with more features as standard. It's best selling vehicle the Grand Marquis was an upscale version of the Ford Crown Victoria which is mostly used as a fleet vehicle for Police and Taxi applications. The brand started to suffer in the mid 2000's and much like the situation at GM, Ford was unable to justify the brand as more sales were going to the more upscale Lincoln brand. The last push for sales came in the form of the Ford Fusion based Mercury Milan which consistently sold at around 30,000 annually since 2005. Ford finally pulled the plug on Mercury in 2011.
  5. Stalliongrad
    ​Operating as a branch of the Department of Transportation and Public Works of Puerto Rico (DTOP), the service is more commonly known by its abbreviation in Spanish. Autoridad Metropolitana de Autobuses de Puerto Rico or AMA.
     




     

    AMA Orion V


     

    ​Type: ​Public/Private, Some routes operated by contractor First Transit
     
    ​
    Union Representation: Not Unionized
     

    Fleet Size: ​149 Transit Buses, 33 Suburban Medium Duty Buses, 60 Paratransit Vehicles
     

    Routes: ​50
     

    ​Manufacturer and Powerplant: ​As Puerto Rico is a U.S. Territory, American and Canadian Manufacturers have access to sell which makes P.R. unique among its island neighbors. DTOP procures from Gillig, NABI, Orion, NovaBus, New Flyer and Ford. The majority of the fleet is diesel powered. The oldest buses in its fleet are 2002 NovaBus RTS models which have been shipped back to the U.S. for refurbishment and will be put back in service after mechanical and safety improvements.
     



     

    AMA NovaBus RTS 35


     

    ​Fare Collection: ​There is no contactless card payment system in Puerto Rico, however DTOP does issue a magnetic strip card that is reloadable and can be used on both the subway and bus networks. Buses cost just .75 cents with cash fare. It is similar to the MetroCard used in New York City.
     



     

    DTOP Card


     
     
     
    ​Livery: ​AMA buses use the DTOP's upbeat themes of Magenta, Blue, Yellow and Silver. Express buses use silver as the dominant color while some buses in the city may sometimes be entirely white.
     



     

    AMA NABI 60 BRT


     
    ​Innovations: ​DTOP operates the only U.S. style mass transport system in the Caribbean. The system also hosts the only underground subway network in the Caribbean as well. The Government's Integrated Transit Plan has detailed expansion projects planned to better integrate the inner cities with Puerto Ricos many highway networks using express buses.
     


    AMA at work


     





     





  6. Stalliongrad
    Sometimes accidents happen, but as an opertator of a train with hundreds of lives on board its always up to the driver to be on the lookout for trouble.


     




     

    Controls of an Amtrak Siemens ACS-64 Sprinter


     

    As is blaringly obvious, train drivers do not have a steering wheel and trains cannot change direction at will, this means that a large part of the train drivers job is observing the tracks ahead and the signals for any signs of danger.
     
    ​Practice: ​All railways use some form of signals to alert drivers to any changes to the tracks up ahead, and all trains have a "dead mans switch" a device which must be applied by the driver either at all times or frequent intervals to ensure the driver is awake and medically sound.
     
    For Example with signals:
     
    A Red Signal always universally means danger. Trains must not pass a red signal because of some form of danger beyond it. Ranging from a stopped train ahead to debris on the tracks. Going past a red signal is known as SPAD or Signal Passed At Danger. It is a very serious offense which in some cases leads to criminal charges. In order to pass a signal at danger, the driver must ask permission from the controller for that section of track. If permission to SPAD is granted trains must proceed slowly and at high alert, prepared to stop at any moment.
     
    Always before a Red Signal, there is a Yellow Signal. The Yellow signal is a warning to slow down due to a change in track condition or the next signal. For example, a driver may encounter a yellow signal if the next signal beyond it is also yellow or red. Sometimes a train ahead may be delayed and the signal behind that train will be yellow to slow down all approaching trains. On some railways a "Double Yellow" will appear. Double Yellow signals are used to communicate that the next signal is red or that the train is switching tracks to the other side. Speeds must be greatly reduced to pass a double yellow.
     
    Green Signals (Sometimes White) mean all clear
     

    A test is given to new train drivers in training to asses their knowledge of signals and to make sure they know what to do when approaching them.
     



     

    Signal Example


     
     
     
    Emergency Stop: ​Trains are equipped with an Emergency Stop or "Brake" which is also sometimes a kill switch. However, before a train driver can push the "red button" a set a parameters must be assessed first and the driver usually only has seconds to decide. Generally the driver must always try to get the attention of surrounding pedestrians, cars, other trains and animals with the use horns, bells, whistles and lights. If the bystanders do not respond to the warning of the approaching train, the driver must asses the risk. Slamming on the brakes while doing 60 MPH can do heavy damage to the trains braking system. If the driver determines that a collision is imminent the driver can hit the emergency brake which applies full brakes, cuts the power (or lowers the pantograph for electric trains, which disconnects power), and sounds the horn.
     
    Emergency Brake Buttons are always Red in color and are visibly marked in multiple languages depending on area of operation it may be in English, Spanish and French.
     


    ​Amtrak Emergency Stop


     

    Two Girls Playing on the Train Tracks are captured on video by a rail fan. The train driver activates the brakes, unsure if he hit them or not. The girls are then questioned by police and issued a fine for playing on the tracks and playing chicken with a train.


     




  7. Stalliongrad
    ​One of America's oldest heavy duty vehicle makers, Mack Trucks specializes in truck building and design. The brand nearly disappeared due to the economic collapse of 2009 but was saved after being purchased by Volvo Group.
     

    ​​Manufacturer Quick Facts:


     

    Founded: ​June 11, 1900



    Main Office: ​Greensboro, North Carolina, United States



    Industry: ​Heavy Duty Trucks in Classes 6 through 8, Buses (formerly), Chassis Building, Fire Engines



    ​Notable Products: ​Pinnacle, TerraPro MRU, Granite, Titan (Australia and New Zealand Only)


     




     

    Mack Titan 6X4


     

    Mack Trucks was founded originally as Mack Brothers by John, Augustus (Gus) and William Mack after they had purchased the carriage and wagon company John had been working for. The Mack Brothers had been inspired by other engineering pioneers of the era in the early 1900's such as the Wright Brothers and Henry Ford and decided to focus similar energy on building trucks. Mack Trucks gained most of its reputation for building strong well built trucks during World War I and II.
     
    Mack Trucks had been tested by the U.S. Army and approved for service but were purchased by the British in larger numbers. British Soldiers remarked that Mack Trucks were dependable and resilient and early Mack Trucks often featured a "snub nose" design. The British Soldiers nicknamed them "Bulldog Macks" because they reminded them of the English Bulldog. The Nickname eventually stuck and has since been the logo of the company. All Mack Trucks adorn an English Bulldog hood ornament as a reminder of this history.
     



     

    Mack Granite


     

    The most iconic Mack Truck of the modern era is the Mack Granite. It is a vocational work truck which can be configured in any way the buyer wishes. The Granite is perhaps most known for being used as a Dump Truck and Concrete Mixer for construction companies accounting for the majority of U.S. Sales.
    Mack is also notable for its sales and manufacture for the Australian, New Zealand and South Africa markets. Trucks for those markets have slightly different requirements and are also Right Hand Drive. The Mack Titan is the most common "down under" as it has a stronger engine and drivetrain than most other highway trucks. This is why it was marketed toward companies which operate road trains.
     



     

    Mack CF Fire Engine in service with the FDNY


     

    As a Subsidiary of Volvo Group, Volvo trucks and buses can also be sold and serviced at Mack dealers in North America. Volvo sells more trucks for on highway purposes but Mack trucks often are better suited for vocational and construction work. Mack Granite trucks can be equipped with a "Crawler Gear" which locks the rear differential giving the driver more control when going downhill on unpaved surfaces.
     


    ​Mack Trucks Virtual Test Drive


     

    (Click anywhere inside the video to have a look around while its playing, pretty cool)


     




     




  8. Stalliongrad
    (Happy Indigenous Peoples Day)


     



     


    2015 Ford Focus


     
     
     
    I know I haven't been keeping you posted on the status of this project, this is largely due to the frustrations my daily driver has been causing me since my last update in July. So now get a snack and a drink and allow me to fill you in on the situation for the last few months.
     




     

    2003 Toyota Rav4 and TCM Location behind the glove compartment


     

    ​Prologue: ​In 2012 I was given a 2003 Toyota Rav4 as a gift from my grandmother who had recently purchased a new Lexus RX. It was my 3rd Toyota and I enjoyed the car for about 2 years before the Transmission Control Module failed. The TCM is a large computer chip about the size of a lunchbox which controls the shifting of the Automatic transmission. At the time I was in between jobs and didn't have money to repair the vehicle at a shop and was reduced to walking and catching the bus again. Eventually my mother found a repair shop in California which specializes in repairing the TCMs for multiple cars. When the TCM fails the transmission doesn't know when to shift gears, resulting in a harsh shifting and jolting about making the car undrivable and unsafe. The repair shop offered their services on Ebay. You pay them the fair price of $60 and ship your damaged TCM to their shop in California and in a week they send it back fully repaired. Sure enough it worked and I was back on the road in a matter of days.
     
    However the car was getting old and was nearing its $200,000 mile mark and I was sure something else major was going to happen, so I made the choice to sell the car before any new repairs were needed. I took the car to Carmax the biggest used car dealer on the East Coast. Carmax offers free appraisals and after determining what your car is worth, will hand you a written offer if you sell to them. Carmax valued my car at exactly the blue book value (mostly because my Grandma loves her cars and always takes care of them) and I sold it to them for $4000. Now I began my search for a new set of wheels.
     

    In June 2014 I purchased a new 2015 Ford Focus sedan. The new Focus finally received the Fusion front fascia and an update. In my excitement in buying my first NEW car I overlooked the fact that this is usually the worst thing to do. Buying a car right after the new generation is released does not give enough time for any bugs to be worked out. I almost immediately began to have problems with it and here we arrive to the present day.
     



     


    2015 Ford Focus Hatchback


     
    ​
    ​One after another.........:​ The first problem I had with the car was actually with the Front Passenger Door. Build Quality at Ford had actually been improving another reason for high sales. However 2 models have been having difficulties with their new 2015 model years, The Mustang and the Focus...both new gen.
     
    I have a friend who purchased a new Mustang and one very noticeable flaw is that the body panels do not align correctly. The gap between the fender and hood was larger on the passenger side than on the drivers side meaning the hood had to be wiggled to be shut properly. This problem could be found all around the car and was worst at the trunk.
     
    On my 2015 Ford Focus the passenger door had to be lifted up then either pushed or pulled to open. The door was not level. And never opened or shut properly.
     
    The interior of the Focus is covered in dark black plastics which scratch remarkably easy. simply resting the keys on the dash was enough to scratch it.
     
    The next problem was with the 60/40 split folding rear seats. On the drivers side rear the latch was already broken from the factory and I hadn't discovered this until putting the rear seats down for the first time. The clamp which secured the rear seat to the frame was stuck in the closed position meaning the rear seat could not be secured and would frequently move out of position. The dealer tried to fix it but as soon as they fixed it the clamp would again be stuck in the closed position.
     

    The biggest and most notable issue I had with this car was with the TRANSMISSION ​which is terrible design and one of only two parts on the car sourced with foreign parts and labor. (Engine in 2015 + Ford Focus comes from Japan, Transmission comes from Mexico) The Ford Focus (and Fiesta) use DCT Transmissions or Dual Clutch Transmissions. DCT's use 2 clutches to control the gears. Gears 1,3,5 were controlled by Clutch 1 and 2,4,6 were with Clutch 2. This transmission has been in use since the 2012 redesign of the Focus model and is a well documented problem. DCT's do not behave like normal automatic transmissions and in lower end cars like this one have terrible performance.
     
    The most irritating thing about the 2015 Focus is the change over from gear 1 to gear 2. The car doesn't like to leave first gear from a stand still and when changing to 2nd the car always shuddered violently. For context this is normal for Manual Transmission cars, When disengaging the clutch there is a noticeable shaking when changing gears, this was 10x more pronounced in the Automatic Focus. (This made it impossible for me to continue doing Uber).
     
    About a month ago the clutch pack and transmission on my 2015 Ford Focus failed and the car was sent back to the dealer for repairs covered under warranty. After a 3 day wait I got my car back and 2 weeks later the transmission failed again. 2 days prior to this Ford sent letter to all owners of the Ford Focus saying Ford was extending the drivetrain warranty for another 6 years. (This was secretly Ford's way of admitting they know the transmissions were terrible). The transmissions were designed this way because it causes an automatic transmission to behave like a manual and improves fuel economy. The car also had the tendency to roll backwards like a manual as well.
     
    All of this came with a large number of recall letters sent by Ford as well. The Focus was recalled twice for fuel pump issues which caused the car to stall. This did not effect me while driving but occasionally my car would not start on cold mornings, another recall for defective side marker lights, another recall for the child safety locks becoming jammed on, and the most recent for the door latches which have been shown to open while the car is in motion.
     
    Currently the 2015+ Ford Focus only has a 3/5 Star Rating from Consumer Reports, Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book all due to reliability issues.
     

    ​Washing My Hands of The Problem:
     
    I purchased the car for $20,000 and put $4000 down but I received a terrible interest rate due to my student loans wrecking my credit. After a year of paying every month on time for this car I had finally had enough. The dealer was no help, they offered to move me into a 2017 Ford Fusion SE but wanted me to put $6000 down. After 3 days of fighting the dealer I gave up and went to the Toyota/Lexus dealer I formerly worked for.
     



     

    2015 Scion tC


     
     
     
    I was greeted by a salesman and explained to him I was in search of a Used Scion tC. At this point there was no way I would be able to fund a side project in addition to paying for a car causing me such headaches. The Toyota Salesman explained to me that Scion was being cancelled by Toyota this year and no tC's were available and no new ones were going to be ordered. He asked me if there was any other car I was interested in and looking at the current Toyota lineup I wasn't interested in much other than the Scion FR-S which I knew I wouldn't be able to afford. He kindly showed me a standard Corolla and it was far bigger than the Focus but it didn't satisfy my thirst for a platform on which I could build on. There aren't many mods for the Corolla and those that do exist are for the Corolla S which has a better suspension and engine.
     
    The salesman snapped his fingers and said he knows the car for me. And told me he would be right back after getting a key. I began to get nervous. I still owed $16,900 on my current car and by now with 21k miles it was only worth $9000. Any new car I trade for will have the remaining balance rolled over into the price. But anything was better than the idea of dealing with the Focus for the next 3 years. The salesman returned and handed me a key and said "we only have one left, you'll like this"........
     
     
     




    2017 Toyota Corolla iM


     
    ​
     
    A Pleasant Surprise: ​The key was for the brand new 2017 Toyota Corolla iM Hatchback. Formerly called the Scion iM the car was rebranded as a Toyota due to Scion's cancellation. I was never fond of hatchbacks but one thing you learn very quickly in the modding and tuning community is that there are always more aftermarket parts for the hatchback version of any given car. I sat down inside and I was in love. The car has an amazing seat, its racing style bolstered and almost hugs you. The interior and dash is similar to the Corolla sedan but far better. It came with so many features as standard it was almost overwhelming a car like this only cost $20,000. Despite looking smaller than the Focus Sedan it is far more roomy because the Corolla has a flat dashboard while the Focus has a raised and angled dash.
    It was in my favorite color for a car, Black Sand Pearl (picture above) and it came with the Auto transmission. The rear hatch area has similar space but the rear seats fold down (with only one button push) and can carry all of my work items and anything else. Visually the car is very pretty and different, It has standard Toyota front end similar to the Camry using a honeycomb grille and bright LED DRLs I told the salesman I would be interested if the numbers worked. The only issue with the car is its not a fast car (which really isn't an issue because of the TRD mods that are available now). At 137 HP its not the fastest car but this actually worked to my advantage. The Corolla iM is $200 cheaper to insure than the Focus meaning I would save a bit of money.
     



     

    2017 Toyota Corolla iM interior


     

    The interior is covered in soft touch plastics which give the car a premium leathery feel. Touchscreen infotainment system and backup camera as standard as well as dual zone climate control this car has so much more for the same price. On top of all this ... its a Toyota and comes with expert build quality and legendary reliability. My Toyota Camry 2 door ran until it reached 209,000 miles and the head gasket blew. I had previously owned a Lexus ES which was based off the same platform and received similar miles before breaking down.
     

    I traded my Ford Focus for the Toyota Corolla iM which I will be turning into my project car. Now I can get started. First few mods will be visual, I ordered Rally Armor Mudflaps to give it the rally car look, I'm looking at a roof rack from Thule because I would like to carry a cargo box on road trips. Eventually I will get the TRD lowering springs for the suspension and TRD Exhaust kit for better performance and sound.
     

    Hope to finally get going soon XD
     


    ​iM Reviews


     




     
     
     




  9. Stalliongrad
    ​(9/11,We Will Never Forget, Even Though Rudy Giuliani did)


     




     

    NYC TLC # 5J67 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid


     

    ​Purpose: ​Simply Put, Taxicab Medallions are designed to limit the number of Taxis licensed to operate at any given time. In NYC, Taxicab Medallions were first implemented in 1937 by Mayor LaGuardia. During the Great Depression there were over 30,000 taxi cabs in operation in NYC, with more cabs than riders this led to Cabbies working very long hours and a growing distrust of the safety of the cabs on the road due their long working hours and lack of maintenance. The Mayor passed the Hass Act which formally required taxicabs to be licensed and carry a Medallion to designate its authority to operate.
     
    ​City Specific Examples and Implementation:
     




     

    ​NYC TLC Taxicab Medallion # 2P30 (Slight Star Wars Reference)


     

    ​New York City: ​Because NYC was the first city to create this scheme, many other cities have copied its model. Taxicabs in NYC are operated by private companies licensed by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. The current Medallion range exists from # 1A10 to # 9Y99, To obtain a medallion one must be purchased by the city at an Auction or from a private owner. Because the number of cabs allowed to operate has increased several times and there is more competition between the companies the cost of a Taxi Medallion in NYC has skyrocketed from around $2,000 in 1947 to over $1 Million today. This has led to medallions falling into the hands of large financial companies and investment firms who own the medallion and lease them out to companies for use.
     
    Operating a Taxicab issued a hood affixed Medallion requires total compliance of TLC regulations which are extensive and change frequently.
     

    ​Type of Vehicle: ​The Taxi and Limousine Commission publishes a list of approved vehicles which are allowed to carry medallions and operate as taxicabs. For years Taxicabs in NYC have been dominated by one type of vehicle, Large American Sedans. The Ford Crown Victoria, Chevrolet Caprice and the Checker Marathon https://mlpforums.com/blog/677/entry-18546-for-the-transit-fans-vehicle-profile-checker-marathon/ Have all enjoyed their time at the top of the NYC Taxi Food Chain. However in the early 2000's new regulations required a replacement of the taxi fleet. The list of approved vehicles shrunk to only allow vehicles which had a Hybrid version available. The rules changed again requiring a certain number of medallions to be issued to wheelchair accessible vehicles. Now currently the TLC is pushing for all companies to use only one vehicle.
     



     

    NYC TLC # 5F34 Nissan NV200 Passenger "Taxi of Tomorrow"


     

    The "Taxi of Tomorrow" project began in 2007 as an program designed to find a vehicle which would replace the aging Ford Crown Victoria Taxicabs used in the city. A bid was announced with 3 designs making it to the final round. A design from Turkish manufacturer Karsan was rejected due to concerns the company would not be able to fill an order of over 11,000 vehicles in a short time span. Ford proposed a version of its Transit Connect which was rejected due to its smaller interior space. The Winner of this bid was the Nissan NV200 due to its larger interior space and innovative taxi inspired features such as germ resistant seats. Nissan began to jointly dominate the Taxicab market in NYC when rules began to require Hybrids only. The Nissan Altima Hybrid is approved for taxi use and is also used by the NYPD for patrol duties. The TLC has been sued several times over the Taxi of Tomorrow successfully due to the fact that it violates several of the TLC's own requirements. The NV200 is a commercial van with no Hybrid option and is not wheelchair accessible.
     

    Registration: ​Taxicabs in NYC carry special license plates which display their medallion number as their registration number. Because taxi medallions can change owner several times, Taxi license plates can have what is known as a "Subscript" letter. For example if Company 1 operated with medallion # 1A23 but then sold that medallion to Company 2, Company 2 would have to register the vehicle as 1A23b. The Subscript letter denotes how many times the medallion has changed hands. In this case it is clear that 1A23 has chaged hands 2 times. With a revision in New York State license plates, New Taxi registration on the new license plates carry the subscript letter H as the Letter A.
     



     

    NYC TLC # 4N14 License Plate


     
     
     
    Color of Vehicle: ​Medallion Taxicabs in NYC must be painted Canary Yellow and can be hailed anywhere in the city. After an analysis by the TLC it was revealed nearly 95% of all taxi pickups occurred in Manhattan. This meant that taxi service in the outer boroughs of NYC was much lower and resulted in many illegal taxi operations. To compensate, "Boro Taxis" were granted authority to operate. Boro Taxis do not carry medallions and are restricted to pickups in the outer boroughs and only certain parts of Manhattan. To distinguish them from medallion taxicabs they must be painted Apple Green. Private car companies in NYC licensed by the TLC are allowed to paint their cars how they wish except for the color yellow.
     
     
     
    ​Hack Inspector: ​The Taxi and Limousine Commission Enforcement Division is responsible for oversight of the 90,000 vehicles license to operate by the TLC. This includes Medallion Taxis, Green Boro Taxis, Private For Hire Cars, Commuter Vans/Vanpools, Limos and Paratransit Vehicles. At any given time, Agents of the TLC are authorized to inspect Taxicabs and ensure compliance with TLC regulations. The TLC Enforcement Agents also shut down illegal taxicab operations. Vehicles used by the Enforcement division often resemble police cars as inspections are carried out in the form of a traffic stop.
     
     
     

    ​
     




     


    DCTC # C024 Mercury Grand Marquis and # C956 Toyota Prius V


     

    ​Washington DC: ​DC's cab system was completely archaic and out of date until recent improvements were forced on taxi companies. Beginning with its fare structure, fares in DC were previously based on a zone system instead of a meter system. For Example, a ride in Zone 1 would cost one fare, a ride from Zone 1 to Zone 2 would have a different fare and a surcharge for crossing zones etc. This led to many cabbies cheating customers out of money especially tourists who were unsure of what the correct price should be. This led to a requirement that Taxicabs be fitted with a meter and fare set by the city. The District of Columbia Taxicab Commission doesn't issue physical medallions for taxicabs but does follow suit of the medallion system.
     
    ​Type of Vehicle: ​The DCTC has no real official list of vehicles per se, but Taxicabs must be retired by the time they reach 300,000 miles. Taxicabs must also not be on a salvage title or have damage. This leads many cab companies to operate brand new vehicles and older vehicles are allowed to operate until the reach their mileage deadline. This also means Cabs in DC are very diverse ranging from Toyota Camry to Kia Soul to Ford Fusion. Many cab companies attend Police Auctions where police vehicles are auctioned off to the public. Some newer police vehicles such as the 2011 and 2012 Ford Police Interceptor and Chevrolet Caprice (only sold to police agencies) have been auctioned off to cab companies.
     



     

    DCTC # G793 Toyota Prius


     

    Registration: ​Taxi Companies must purchase "Authority to Operate" from from the DCTC for each vehicle they operate. The Driver's photo and information are mounted on a special placard which is mounted on the dashboard's passenger side. In November 2013 the DCTC required all taxicabs to carry a new dome light which carries the cab's Public Vehicle Identification Number or PVIN. This is not considered a medallion by the DCTC but to the public it is meant to function as one. For years, people in DC were not able to file complaints against cabbies because the Taxicabs in the city were not organized with one numbering system. Every taxi company was allowed to number their cabs individually making it difficult to determine which cab the complaint was against.
     
    For example if "Falcon Cab Co" "Yellow Cab Co" And "Luxury Cab Co" all have a vehicle with #10 the passenger may be unsure which cab #10 he/she was in. The Dome Lights allowed for all vehicles to be issued a specific 4 digit number in the format of A100 to Z999. This number follows the driver not the car, allowing for complaints against drivers to made more easily.
     
    Cab Drivers in DC were notorious for refusing to pick up African American passengers and Passengers with disabilities. This system allows for total compliance of DCTC regulations requiring all passengers who hail a cab allowed a ride. This also led to the DCTC requirement of all drivers to take a customer service and sensitivity training class. As most cabbies are foreign born they were not aware they were violating federal law and their companies faced heavy fines.
     
    The new lights also have an LED display which lets passengers know the status of the cab of either "Taxi For Hire, Taxi On Call or Taxi Off Duty". Drivers have asked for the light to also have a "Call 911" feature as well. License Plates for DCTC authorized cabs carry the format of H-12345 or 12345-H. H standing for Hack or Hackney.
     




     

    DCTC Newly Mandated Dome Lights and PVIN


     

    ​
     
    Vehicle Color: ​Before the DCTC required all Taxicabs to carry District Department of Transportation (DDOT) livery, all cab companies in DC used a different color scheme. It lead to the streets looking like rainbows and passengers unsure of the company operating the cab. The new scheme follows the paint layout on DC Circulator buses, DC Streetcars and Capital Bikeshare Bicycles of Red and Gray. The company name and phone number must be displayed on the sides and rear of the vehicle. If the cab is owned by an individual, the owners name and number are displayed instead.
     




     


    ​DCTC Taxicab Paint Scheme Template


     

    ​Hack Inspector: ​The DCTC operates very similar to their counterparts in NYC, as they are authorized to perform inspections at random and during traffic stops. Cabbies in DC are required to keep a written manifest of all trips they take and non compliance is fined. Many cab drivers who opposed the new paint scheme (such as those who worked for Yellow Cab) and who opposed the new dome lights refused to add these mandatory requirements leading to many cabs being impounded.
     



     

    DCTC impounding a Cab not complying with new paint and dome light regulations


  10. Stalliongrad
    Calgary Transit provides transportation services for the City of Calgary with over 100 million riders annually.


     
     
     




     

    Calgary Transit New Flyer Xcelsior XDE60


     

    Type: Public, Service owned and operated by the City of Calgary
     

    Union Representation: Calgary Transit Bus and Light Rail Operators are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 583
     

    Fleet Size: 965 Low Floor Buses, 192 Light Rail Vehicles
     

    Routes: 160
     

    Manufacturer and Powerplant: Calgary Transit procures from New Flyer and NovaBus and most of its fleet is Diesel Powered with plans in the works to explore other sources of propulsion. A few dozen are fueled by Compressed Natural Gas. Light Rail Vehicles are procured from Siemens using 600v DC electric power.
     



     

    Calgary Transit New Flyer D40


     

    Fare Collection: The Contactless Card Payment System in Calgary was called Connect Card. Due to a long ongoing series of technical glitches with the Spanish contractor Telvent, Calgary Transit pulled all card readers and ceased issuing them. Calgary Transit decided to pursue Telvent in court for $5 Million, failing to meet deadlines and repairing the glitches properly
     




     


    Calgary Transit Connect Card and Reader


     
     
     
    Livery: Calgary Transit vehicles host a smart coat of red and gray paint covering the white backdrop. The Light Rail vehicles share the paint scheme with the bus network. Older liveries contained multicolored racing stripes on the white backdrop but were replaced with newer vehicles.
     



     

    Calgary Transit New Flyer Xcelsior XDE60


     

    Innovations: Calgary Transit was the second transit network in North America to build and operate a light rail system. Second only to the system in Edmonton, the system has been expanded several times over the years since its opening in 1981.
     



     

    Calgary Transit Siemens S200 LRV on testing trials


     
     
     

    Calgary Transit on the move


     





     





  11. Stalliongrad
    Uber and Lyft Trade Dress


     

    I've driven for Uber in the past and recently decided to pick it back up again. So i thought it would be interesting to share my experience and help anyone considering doing it.
     




     
     
     

    Uber Technologies Ford Fusion Autonomous Experimental in Pittsburgh


     

    Disclaimer: Being an Uber Driver differs heavily depending on your affiliate city and this determines a wide variety of experiences which are unique and not universal to each city. Bigger cities will have higher demand and more complex driving environments, Smaller cities may not have as much demand and fares may be lower. For reference i am an affiliated Uber Partner in the Washington DC Area. Uber DC covers Washington DC, Prince George's and Mongtomery Counties in Maryland, Fairfax and Arlington Counties in Virginia and in some cases beyond.
     




     
     
     

    Uber Partner Beginnings


     

    Getting Started: Uber Drivers (Referred to as "Partners") need several things to begin working for Uber. The first of which is a smartphone. Uber Partners receive requests for rides via the Uber Partner App on their phone. Uber Partners must also have an approved vehicle for the Uber Platform. Uber as well as all Transportation Network Companies (TNC's) have a list of vehicles they will permit to use their platform to give rides for money. This also varies depending on city. In DC the requirement is a vehicle 2008 or newer with 4 full doors and trunk. Two door vehicles or vehicles with half doors (Mazda RX8, Ford F-150 Extended Cab) are not allowed. This vehicle must also have Insurance and Valid Registration. The level of insurance required will be discussed later. Uber has recently partnered with several banks, Auto Manufacturers and Cell Phone Carriers to help people work for Uber who may not have a car or a phone. You should also get a mount to allow you to operate your phone without holding it. Many suction cup mounts stick to the windshield or dashboard and cost as little as $10.
     
     
     
    Step 1: Personal Details: Uber Partners after they apply to work as an Uber Partner are subjected to a two week long background screening which runs your name and social security number across a database which checks for criminal offenses as well as traffic offenses which will determine eligibility. Uber pardons petty offenses but completely bans those convicted of Sexual Violence crimes, Assault or Dangerous Driving charges. Once this is completed, Uber will contact you via email and text message confirming you are approved. The next step is to complete Tax Information (very important will be covered later) and provide Uber with your bank account information. Your earnings during your time with Uber will be deposited into your account. After all of this is done, you must take a selfie and it will be placed on your Uber Partner account. This is so people know you are their driver and dont get in the wrong car by mistake. Next all you need to do is download the Uber Partner app and you will be all set.
     
     
     




     
     
     

    Uber Technologies Toyota Prius Three, Cadillac XTS and Chevrolet Suburban


     

    Step 2: Vehicle Details: Once your car is approved for use on the Uber System you will be prompted to watch an Uber Intro video which explains how your car should appear when you go "online" (able to accept trip requests). Your car should be clean inside and out and mechanically safe. When you sign on as an Uber Partner you agree to keep your car maintained and clean when you are online. The type of vehicle you own, Lease or Rent will determine the type of Uber Pickups you will be given. Uber has several tiers of service which allow for different experiences.
     
    UberX: People who posses a standard 4 door sedan; Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze etc will be given UberX trips. These trips are basic fare and are given in basic sedans. As most sedans can seat 3 passengers 4 if the middle rear passenger is small enough that is the limit for UberX requests.
     
    UberXL: If you own a Crossover, Suv or Minivan you are eligible for both UberX and UberXL requests. Vehicles on UberXL are Toyota Sienna, Chevrolet Suburban, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot etc. XL trips are given with larger vehicles and thus can carry more people. In some cases up to 8 people. However for this added capacity fare is higher.
     
    UberSelect: Available in only a few cities UberSelect is a step above UberX in that the vehicles are near luxury or are of a higher trim level and Full Size Sedans such as the Nissan Maxima, Audi A3, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Malibu etc. Fares are higher for UberSelect than UberX
     
    UberBLACK: Dubbed "The Original Uber" UberBlack sends a high end luxury vehicle with a licensed chauffeur to your location. Vehicles on this platform are similar to Mercedes Benz S500/550, BMW 5 or 7 Series, Audi A8, Cadillac Escalade etc. These vehicles demand the highest Uber fares and are used by professionals who dont want to use Taxicabs or People going on a special occasion. Drivers on UberBLACK must have a Chauffeur's License.
     
    UberTAXI: To compromise with taking business away from taxi drivers, Cab drivers who own or lease their taxicabs are allowed to use the Uber Platform to accept trip requests. The cab must be 2010 or newer and be a licensed taxicab in the city of operation. The driver must also posses a hack license. The rider pays the standard Taxi fare with Uber taking a cut for use of the platform.
     


    The type of vehicle you have will determine which trips will appear while you are online. Uber has introduced new partnerships to help get more drivers on the road.


     

    Uber Xchange Leasing: Uber teamed up with Automotive Dealers and Manufacturers to help people who do not have a car or one that is Uber Approved. Nissan, Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota and Hyundai have all approved models for quick approved leasing agreements. Uber will allow you to lease a car from a list of Xchange approved vehicles which you can use to drive for Uber. In "Xchange" you pay a $250 fee to start and a weekly fee which is deducted from your Uber earnings each pay period. The amount varies depending on the car you choose. Larger models cost more than smaller ones but can help maximize profit. The list will look something like this:
     
    Nissan Approved: Versa ($125/week) Sentra ($150/week) Altima ($250/week)
    Toyota Approved: Yaris, Corolla, Camry
    Ford Approved: Fiesta, Focus, Fusion
    Chevrolet Approved: Sonic, Cruze, Malibu
    Hyundai Approved: Accent, Elantra, Sonata
     
    The Uber Partner does not need a credit check and can return the car after 30 days (after giving a 2 week notice) with no charge. Alternatively, at the end of the lease the Uber Partner is also given the option of continuing to make payments and buy the car.
     
    Enterprise Car Rental: Uber and Enterprise reached a deal which allows people who do not want to get into a lease the option to rent a car for similar rates for use with Uber.
     
    Insurance: All cars on the road must be insured but with the rise of companies like Uber and Lyft a new type of insurance has been created to better cover drivers of both platforms. Rideshare insurance is a higher level of car insurance which protects the passengers you carry for profit. Many states are now passing laws requiring the use of Rideshare insurance. In some circumstances if you get into an accident while online your insurance company will drop you because you were not using the proper insurance coverage.
     
    Registration: All cars on the road must carry license plates. But with new companies like Uber and Lyft new policies are being forced onto the TNC's to make it more difficult to operate. In some jurisdictions such as New York City, Uber drivers not only have to posses commercial rideshare insurance they must also have commercial license plates, similar to the ones taxi cabs and limos carry. These license plates are more expensive but give special permissions and access to areas such as airports.
     




     
     
     

    Cadillac XTS on New York Taxi and Limousine Commission license plates


     
     
     



     
     
     

    In the Washington DC Area Uber Drivers are required by the Commonwealth of Virginia to carry "TNC Registration" because Virginia cannot force drivers from Maryland and DC to put a sticker on their license plate they are issued a large Black and Yellow Sticker which they must place on their rear window. Drivers in Virginia who drive for Uber or Lyft are given black and yellow registration stickers for their Virginia License Plates. DC and Maryland Uber drivers need this to get trip requests in Virginia and is unavoidable as many of the DC area Airports are in Virginia.


     
     
     



     
     
     

    Uber Trade Dress


     

    Placards: When Driving on the Uber Platform to comply with TNC laws Uber Partners have to display a Trade Dress. The U Sign must be displayed when driving and it also helps the riders identify your vehicle. Uber will send you one of these in the mail. But if you want to drive before it arrives you can print one out as long as its of the same size and tape it into your window.
     
     
     
    Step 3: Going Online!: Once you've manged to bypass all of the legal mumbo jumbo that effects TNC companies like Uber you are ready to make money. In order to begin accepting trips you must first "Go Online". This now makes you visible to all of the trip requests "Pinging" in your area. Once you go online, you are technically working, your car should be clean, air conditioning on, and you should be the only person in the car.
     




     
     
     

    Uber Trip Request


     

    Once You Go Online and a trip request appears it will look like this. The Trip will show the pin location of the rider you are to pick up, how long it will take to arrive at that location as well as the pickup address. The bottom star rating is the rider rating. Riders with poor ratings have been rated poor by other drivers for various reasons. (Rider is late, rider is rude and leaves trash in your car, etc) as well as the type of trip they requested. In this case it's an Uber X trip. The phone will begin to beep loudly so you notice a trip request. To accept a trip the driver taps the screen and the app will bring up another screen with a Google Maps GPS Navigation set to the destination of the request. All that's needed next is to drive to the rider's location. Then after picking up the rider the GPS will direct you to their drop off location. After dropping off your rider, finish the trip by sliding the button. You then wait for another one. If its busy you should drive toward the areas of your GPS that are colored Orange Red or Yellow as these areas are "surging". Meaning these areas of your city have higher demand and Uber applies an additional fee to encourage more drivers to go toward these areas. Rinse and Repeat until you've made as much money as you like or you no longer feel like driving and then go offline to stop receiving trip requests.
     
    Step 4: Collect Your Earnings: Uber Drivers are Paid every Wednesday and time for the week goes in the previous Sunday. A new feature allows you to cash your money out every day at a charge of only .50 cents. Tax information at the end of the year is very important. Uber Partners are NOT EMPLOYEES of Uber Technologies/Raiser LLC This means that when working for Uber you are considered an Independent Contractor and earnings you receive do not have taxes taken out. You must save money at for the next tax season should you owe. However this does also mean that you can claim certain things on your taxes as business expenses such as your car and money spent on fuel. The IRS has its own formula for calculating mileage as business use so keeping track of that is also helpful. Uber Partners have access to a special spreadsheet at the end of each week they can print out to keep for their records. I personally write down all my Uber trips each day in a notebook and staple any fuel receipts to each day.
     
    Be Prepared For "The Public": Being a Bus Driver I interact with the public on a daily basis and im well aware of how people can be. People who are not used to dealing with random strangers everyday should be prepared for this. People will sneeze and cough in your car, people will want to ride with certain music on or no music at all. People will be late to their pickup point. Uber Drivers and Riders are rated on a system done by both. If you are left a 3 star rating it could effect your overall rating and if it drops too low consistently you could be booted from the Uber platform. Riders who vomit in cars, or damage cars while riding can be charged an Extra Fee for damages and given a low rating and also be banned from Requesting Uber rides. Try to remain calm and keep conversation with your riders to a minimum or on Neutral topics such as the Weather, Sports and TV. Avoid talking about Religion or Politics obviously. Driving for Uber XL and UberBlack you will be sometimes asked to open the door for passengers and assist with putting things in the trunk.
     
    Be Prepared For Cab Drivers: The TNC Companies like Uber, Lyft, Split and Via are meeting market demand for on call car service which was lacking with local cab companies. Taxi Cabs are often driven by individuals who do not provide good customer service. Charge infrequent higher fares in outdated old cars. Cab Drivers often target TNC drivers and are resentful for the TNC's taking away some of their income. Here In DC, Taxi Drivers are often of Ethiopian, Egyptian or Middle Eastern Descent and do not speak English. The Taxi Commission was corrupt giving Hack Licenses to anyone of those backgrounds regardless to if they could provide good customer service or knew the streets of the city. This along with the fact many drivers would lie to passengers about the fare and over charge tourists. The TNC companies allow for passengers to get a fare price in a clean car with a friendly driver. Ever since Uber launched in DC the Taxi Commission had to completely clean house and have new management. All Taxi Drivers in DC are required to take a customer service class now, largely due to the dominance of Uber.
     
    Be Prepared For Your City: Learning your city will help you tremendously when you are driving. It means you will know where the shortcuts are, which streets are the most crowded etc. You should also know the events of your city. Is Rihanna Hosting a Concert Downtown? Traffic will be crazy once its over. Is the Basketball/Football/Baseball/Hockey/Soccer Game Over? All of the Bars will be full of drunk people who cant drive home and will request a ride.
     
    Be Prepared For Regulations: From License Plates, To Placards and on, TNC companies are being more and more regulated like Taxi Companies which are heavily regulated enterprises. If you plan to drive for one be aware of changing regulations. Uber will often announce new regulations via email to all driver partners. Uber also usually maintains an office in each city where it operates so you can get up to date information. It also means that sometimes work might be canceled until the government passes a new regulation or sometimes bans TNC's all together as was the case in Austin, Texas.
     




     
     
     

    Lyft Driver in Austin, Texas with his "Glowstache" Lyft Drivers who complete 100 trips are given a pink light up mustache which mounts to the dashboard, better helping riders find you at night. Austin Lyft Drivers brought their Glowstaches to protest the council vote to cancel TNCs in Austin. Uber Drivers were present as well.


     
     
     

    Reflections: So far ive completed 70 Trips on the Uber Platform and im considering driving for Lyft as well. (Lyft has slightly different requirements). A New TNC is launching in DC called Via which is already under way in NYC and Chicago. Via acts more like a car pooling service. After 70 Trips and many ours in traffic i would strongly urge anyone with the means to take on Uber as a side gig. Its decent money for very little work. You will find out more about your city then you ever knew before. You will find faster ways to get to places you've always gone to before. I have had my share of rude passengers many of them with a false sense of entitlement but all in all im used to it. If you have a thick skin and a fair amount of patience you would do well as an Uber Partner. If you are interested in getting started there are a few YouTubers who are TNC drivers who Vlog about how to get started and what its like.
     
     
     


    Uber Intro Video


     
     
     




  12. Stalliongrad
    Trucks refueling at a Flying J Truck Stop in Texas


     
     
     
    Purpose: The IFTA or International Fuel Tax Agreement is an alliance between The Lower 48 States and Canadian Provinces (Alaska, Hawaii, Washington DC and the Canadian Territories are exempt) regarding the taxation of fuel. Before the IFTA each state and province had its own regulations regarding taxing trucking companies purchasing fuel in their jurisdictions.
     




     

    An IFTA Fuel Tax Return from Ontario


     

    Practice: A Trucking Company must first apply for an IFTA license from their local jurisdiction, and will receive two stickers for each truck it operates. As the truck operates over multiple jurisdictions, the company must keep track of its fuel consumption and files a tax report every quarter. At the end of the year the reports determine if a company payed to little in fuel taxes and has tax due or if they paid too much in taxes and are owed a refund.
     




     

    Wisconsin 2015 IFTA sticker


     



     

    California 2014 IFTA Sticker


     




     

    Ontario 2000 IFTA Sticker


     



     

    Quebec 2016 IFTA Sticker


     

    The stickers themselves are displayed on the sides of trucks which carry and IFTA permit. Because the IFTA operates on a "Pay Now or Pay Later" system, Trucks with an IFTA permit can purchase fuel with no tax because they will pay the tax at a later time.
     




     

    Truck in Florida displaying years of IFTA Compliance


     
    After the end of each year and tax reports are filed the IFTA license must be renewed and each time it is renewed the trucks are issued a new set of stickers for the year, leading to the "Fuel Rainbow" row of stickers found on trucks complying in the agreement for extended time periods
     
    The uniformity of the system allows for fair taxation and allows businesses to pay fuel taxes later if they cannot afford the higher taxes in a neighboring jurisdiction.
  13. Stalliongrad
    Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation is the heavy vehicle arm of Japanese Automotive and Electrical conglomerate Mitsubishi. Its products are legendary in reliability and affordability and can be found in all markets internationally.
     

    Manufacturer Quick Facts:


     

    Founded: 1932



    Main Office: Kawasaki-Shi, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan



    Industry: Heavy Vehicle Manufacturing, Vehicle Components, Light Engines



    Notable Product: Canter, Aero King, Aero Star, Fuso FE, FC, FG


     



     

    2015 Mitsubishi Canter FE Factory Demonstrators


     

    Mitsubishi is one of Japan's largest companies and in 1932 Mitsubishi Fuso (Pronounced "FOO-so, Meaning "Hibiscus") built its first bus prototype called the Fuso. It saw extensive use in Japan and prompted further endeavors into heavy vehicle building. Mitsubishi would restructure several times leading to many mergers and joint ventures with other internationally known manufacturers such as Chrysler and Volvo.
     



     

    Mitsubishi Fuso Super Great Factory Demonstrator


     

    Mitsubishi Fuso trucks are workhorses which have a renowned reputation for being cost effective for small businesses and organizations. They do not cost much to purchase, operate or maintain and are easy to drive. Mitsubishi Fuso trucks sold so well in the United States in the 1980's a separate subsidiary was created in New Jersey called Mitsubishi Truck of America. It imports models from Japan and creates U.S. specific models to meet market demands. Mitsubishi Fuso competes heavily with its Japanese rivals Hino (Toyota Diesel) and UD Trucks (Nissan Diesel) as well as Isuzu Truck.
     



     

    Kobe Fire Department Mitsubishi Canter FE Fire Truck


     
    Canter Models (Canter... get it) have sold extremely well internationally, Domestically in Japan they have seen extensive use as Fire Engines and service vehicles such as street sweepers and mail trucks. Their small size allows them to maneuver tight and narrow Japanese streets. Many fire departments in South East Asia also use the Japanese spec Canter for Fire Fighting duties as well, most notably in Thailand.
     



     

    Mitsubishi Fuso Aero King in service with Japan Railways


     
    During the last round of mergers and exchanges, DaimlerChrysler which held a majority stake in Mitsubishi Fuso was restructured. Daimler AG which owns Mercedes-Benz and many other brands created Daimler Trucks which owns an 89% stake in Mitsubishi Fuso currently. Fuso vehicles are popular because they get the job done at the lowest cost possible. They are often assembled only as a cab and chassis and the owner can select a variety of different body styles to equip it with. Box or Van trucks, Landscaping trucks and many others are available. Fuso trucks also usually come with smaller engines and manual transmissions to help improve fuel economy which is usually ideal for city driving.
     
     
     

    Typical Mitsubishi Fuso Canter FE


     




  14. Stalliongrad
    ACERT is one of the many innovations pioneered by an icon of industry.


     
     
     



     

    Manufacturer Quick Facts:


     

    Founded: April,15 1925



    Main Office: Peoria, Illinois



    Industry: Diesel Engines, Vocational Trucks, Construction Equipment


     
     
     



     

    Caterpillar CT Series Vocational Truck Line Up


     

    Overview: Diesel Engines move the economy and without them commerce would come to a grinding halt. However they have harmful effects on the environment and are one of the most heavily regulated machinery components involved in commercial vehicle manufacturing. Another source of concern is the frequent uncertainty of fuel costs which fluctuate often. Caterpillar one of the worlds largest Diesel Engine Manufacturers and heavy equipment expert has found a solution with new ACERT technology.
     
     
     

    Advanced Combustion Emission Reduction Technology or ACERT was introduced when EPA regulations for On-Highway trucks were tightened in 2004. The technology allows for both goals of Increased Fuel Economy and Reduced Emissions simultaneously.


     




     

    Caterpillar CT630S (Australian Release Only)


     

    ACERT Fuel systems allow for for more than one fuel injection per cycle spritzing diesel fuel in the chambers twice per cycle improves emissions. ACERT Cylinder Heads are complex and CAT had to experiment with over 125 different combustion cycles out of a possible 10 million to get the precise timing correct. Spritzing two injections per stroke means that each stroke is more productive, improving efficiency.
     



     

    Caterpillar CT680 in Daycab Configuration


     

    ACERT engines also have improved Air Systems which use additional turbochargers to push more cool air into the combustion chambers. (Compressed Air + Atomized Diesel Fuel = Explosion or "Powerstroke") One of the most notable distinctions of ACERT engines is they have a "Wastegate" Turbocharger which provides additional power for lower end performance. This provides a distinct audible sound no other engines produce during low end power. These engines typically perform in the 300 to 700 Horsepower range and are used for many different applications such as Marine Engines and Work Site generators.
     

    ACERT Turbo Whine


     




     


    CAT ACERT Demonstration


     




  15. Stalliongrad
    (Love it or Hate it Brexit is here, regardless the USA stands with our British friends)


     

    The Hall of Transit Greats welcomes its first European entrant and a British cultural icon.


     



     

    London Transport AEC Routemaster RML and RM units in Piccadilly Circus, London


     
     
     



     


    Manufacturer Quick Facts:


     

    Founded: 1912



    Ceased Operations: 1979



    Main Office: Southall, Greater London, England



    Industry: Trucks, Transit Buses, Motorcoaches, Heavy Vehicle Components



    Notable Product: Routemaster, Mammoth, Matador, Majestic, Renown


     




     

    First Group London AEC Routemaster RM


     


    Model Quick Facts:


     

    Vehicle Length: 27 ft 6 inches (RM) or 30ft (RML)



    Vehicle Width: 8 ft



    Vehicle Height: 14 ft 4 1/2 Inches



    Engine Options: AEC AV590 9.6L or Leyland O.600 9.8L, Cummins ISC (American Imported)



    Transmission Options: AEC 4-Speed Semi Automatic



    Assembly: AEC Southall, Greater London, England (Components)



    Park Royal Vehicles, Park Royal, West London, England (Body Construction)


     



     

    London Transport AEC Routmaster RM, RML and RCL units at rest in Mortlake Garage, London


     

    Overview: The Routemaster was designed between 1947 and 1956 in an effort to replace older AEC Regent RT models by improving upon its flaws. The newer design was meant to be easier to repair, lighter, more fuel efficient and have a higher passenger capacity. The RT was an aging platform developed in 1938 and was in need of an update. The Routemaster was also intended to make use of the repair and maintenance facilities at Aldenham Bus Works.
     
    https://mlpforums.com/blog/677/entry-18453-for-the-transit-fans-company-profile-aldenham-bus-overhaul-works/
     




     

    London Transport AEC Regent III RT


     
    The Routemaster was also designed to be easier to drive, it weighed 3/4 of a ton less than the RT and carried 64 passengers while the older RT carried 56. Most of its weight loss is attributed to the extensive experimentation with lightweight aluminum metals during WWII aircraft production. This was the first bus in the world to feature an independent front suspension, power steering, an automatic gearbox and powerful hydraulic brakes. The Routemaster was also more comfortable because of its construction which consisted of a sub frame which housed the engine, transmission and chassis and was riveted onto the body frame. This allowed for the two halves of the bus to be separated and repaired independently of one another, it also meant that all buses were interchangeable with one another, almost a LEGO style approach which cut down the amount of time buses were out of service in the repair garage.
     



     

    London Country AEC Routemaster RML


     

    (London Country buses carry passengers to and from the suburbs and are noted by their green color)


     



     

    The Final Hurrah, Transit Fans from all over came to say goodbye to a Legend on the last day of Routemaster service.


     

    Unit Designations:
     

    RM: (Routemaster) These were standard length Routemaster units at 27.5 ft long. The legal limit at the time and seated 64 Passengers.
     
    RML: (Routemaster Long)These units are exactly the same as RM units aside from a small half window at the center of the bus and 8 extra seats seating 72 passengers. RML units were slightly longer when length limits were relaxed and measure at 29.91 ft.
     
    RMC: (Routemaster Coach) These units were intended for use by London Country service, which transports passengers to and from London as well as provide service in the Home Counties. Because service is slightly longer distance than it is inner London. RMC units had modified suspension systems to make the ride even more comfortable, and alternate interior designs more like that of a motorcoach. RMC units also had modified transmissions to allow for higher gear ratios because these units did more highway driving than standard RM units. RMC's seated 57 and were
     
    RCL: (Routemaster Coach Long) RCL units were longer versions of RMC units and featured the same motorcoach style interiors but had bigger engines and seated 65 people. Like the RMC units they also had electric powered doors instead of an open platform.
     
    RMF: (Routemaster Front) RMF units shared the Electric door of the RMC/RCL units but had the door at the front of the bus. They were designed to be used outside of London and saw most of their use at Airports.
     
    RMA: (Routemaster Front Airport) RMA units were identical to RMF units but were built for the Airports and Airliners and were slightly shorter to corner around airports easier.
     
    FRM: (Front Routemaster) Only one FRM unit was built as an experimental design. It is a standard RM unit but with a rear engine design and different front fascia and front door operation. It is currently preserved by the London Transport Museum.
     




     

    London Transport AEC Routmaster RM


     

    Retirement: London retired the Routemaster in the 2000's due to higher running costs versus new buses. Older Routemaster buses required 2 man operation (Driver, Conductor). Toward the end they were converted to 1 man operation. Because the buses would need a second overhaul and refurbishment as well as rising criticism of the "open platform" rear design, and the lack of a wheelchair ramp the Routemaster was eventually retired. Many fans of the bus gathered to see the bus on its final scheduled run. Currently only one heritage line exists in London served by the original Routmaster. After the buses were retired many of them were sold to private companies or private owners where they have a new life as Tour Buses. Many have been exported to countries all around the world. Some have been converted to open top designs, some have even been converted to Motor Homes and Mobile Restaurants the Routemaster has had one of the best vehicle retirements in history with almost 1,300 buses of the original 2,876 still intact.
     


    Replacing an older design and now succeeded by a new one, the middle child in a long line of iconic buses, the Routemaster is home in the Hall of Transit Greats.


     


    Routemaster 60th Anniversary Gathering


     




     


    The Final Days of Routemaster Service, Slowly being Phased Out


     




  16. Stalliongrad
    One of the largest railway networks in the world, Indian Railways serves the entire country of India, moving 23 Million Passengers a day.


     




     

    Indian Railways General Motors EMD WDP-4D on passenger duties


     
     
     
    Type: Public, Owned by the Government of India. Privatization was explored but rejected.
     

    Service: Passenger (Urban, Suburban, Short and Long Distance Trains), Freight
     

    Fleet Size: Approximately 14,000 or more locomotives
     

    Gauge: Indian Railways uses 4 different Gauges. Broad Gauge at 5ft 6in (1,676 mm), Meter Gauge at 3ft 3 3/8in (1,000 mm), Narrow Gauges of either at 2ft 6in (762 mm) or 2 ft (610 mm)
     
    (For Reference, Standard Gauge is 4ft 8 1/2 in (1,435.1 mm)
     
    Routes: Trains in India are categorized by the type of service they perform almost akin to the way Japanese JR service is divided.
     
    Gatimaan Express: These are the fastest trains in India operating at speeds of 100 MPH and providing service from Hazrat Nizamuddin station in the capital of New Delhi to Agra Cantonment station. The train covers 117 miles in 100 minutes. Coaches are equipped with Air Conditioning, WiFi Internet connectivity and restrooms.
     
    Shatabdi Express: These trains operated Limited Stop Service between the major metropolitan hubs of India. They are the second fastest trains in India cruising at around 81 MPH. Shatabdi trains are also air conditioned and refreshments are served as well as bottled water or juice. Many visitors to India often ride these trains to see many cities in India all in one day as the train also makes a return trip. Shatabdi trains are also given priority over slower freight and passenger trains and have priority boarding privileges at stations to help keep them on schedule.
     
    Rajdhani Express: Rajdhani trains link all other major cities to New Delhi and also provide limited stop service. These trains have the highest priority rights on the Indian Railways network because most trips are businessman and workers traveling to the capital for work. like the Shatabdi trains they also cruise at 81 MPH but plans have been in the works to make them faster where the space would allow. Rajdhani trains only stop at major stations and only for a short amount of time. All coaches are air conditioned and complementary meals are served as well as tea in the morning.
     
    Garib Rath Express: Garib Rath translates into English as "Poor People's Chariot" and these are typically the trains people think of when discussing Indian Railways. The trains link major cities in India like other trains but are for people who cannot afford to pay the extra fare to ride on less crowded and air conditioned trains. Some coaches in a Garib Rath train set may be air conditioned but its not a frequent occurrence. The coaches are often among the oldest in the network and have a 3:1 seating ratio. (For every 1 seat there are 3 passengers) resulting in many people standing in the Aisles, or laying in the luggage areas.
     

    Duronto Express: These are super long distance express trains which provide "Point to Point" service. These trains make only 1 or 2 scheduled stops and consist of mostly sleeper cars. Duronto translates from Bengali to English as "Restless".
     

    Mail/Overflow Trains: When trains become over crowded and this causes the regular express trains to slow down, Indian Railways will attach passenger cars to the mail trains running behind them. Fare is reduced and no tickets are required to board which allows for passengers who may have been left behind a ride to their destination. These trains are slower because they make frequent stops to load and unload mail.
     
    Manufacturer and Powerplant: Electric, Diesel and brand new Compressed Natural Gas locomotives are used by Indian Railways. Steam locomotives have been preserved and restored and today provide service on the Heritage Lines in the network. Most locomotives in India have served well beyond their intended service life and are currently being replaced with brand new models. They were procured from General Motors/General Electric EMD, ALCO (American Locomotive Company) or built in India under license by DLW (Diesel Locomotive Works). Procured during the 1950's and 60's the locomotives are nearly 40 years out of date and are currently being either completely refurbished or scrapped. Indian Railways granted a new contract to General Electric for 1000 brand new locomotives and has begun testing new High Speed Trainsets from Spanish manufacturer Talgo. Talgo builds its trainsets in such a way that they can handle steep grades and curves without the need to slow down and are also used by Amtrak Cascades in the United States. Indian Railways is also seeking to procure more double decker passenger coaches which have helped ease over crowding.
     



     

    Indian Railways Chittaranjan Locomotive Works WAP-7 on Garib Rath duties


     

    Fare Collection: One of the most notorious parts about catching the train in India is standing in very long lines waiting to purchase a ticket. All trips unless otherwise specified require a ticket and then it is validated randomly at stations along the journey. To avoid paying or standing in line many have adopted suicidal habit of hanging on to the side of the train after it begins pulling away from the station. This despite the fact that India has the lowest rail fare in the world. On the more expensive routes with single seat and air conditioned accommodations it is imperative to make a reservation before the day of the trip to ensure you will have a seat. The system has been computerized since the 1980s and has had another major revamp in 2009. For the Mail/Overflow trains a new method called Tatkal was introduced as a means to fill trains at a short notice such as when an extra train is available. (empty trains do not run in India)
     



     

    A Shatabdi Express Ticket for a trip from Katpadi to Bangalore City


     

    Livery: There is no uniform livery for Locomotives or Coaches on the Indian Railways network. Locomotives however always carry the Indian Railways emblem on the front and sides. Livery is largely dictated by the region of operation but because the trains move around so frequently and can often be reassigned it is difficult for the origins of each livery set to be determined. Garib Rath service is often carried out with Blue and White or Green and Yellow Trainsets.
     



     

    Indian Railways ALCO WDM-3A on Samjhauta Express duties


     

    (The Samjhauta Express is a bi-weekly service connecting Dehli, India and Lahore, Pakistan. The Service is often interrupted or canceled when the two nations have hostilities. Samjihauta translates to "Compromise")


     

    Innovations: Indian Railways brings in over $2 Billion in profit to the Indian Government every year, and Indian Railways is planning major expansion. Indian Railways has expansion plans to connect India to Vietnam, Burma and Thailand and is in negotiations with China to link together both the national railways of both countries which would require unique mountain construction of new rail lines. Both nations see it beneficial as a long term project of this scale would create many new jobs. Indian Railways is also the largest employer in India with over 1.3 Million Employees.
     


    Indian Railways


     




     
     
     




  17. Stalliongrad
    Serving Long Beach, California as well as portions of Los Angeles County and Orange County, Long Beach Transit is a perfect example of how a Medium Sized Transit System can be profitable and beneficial


     
     
     
     
     



     
     
     
     
     

    LBT New Flyer Xcelsior XN60


     
     
     

    Type: Public
     
    Union Representation: All Long Beach Transit Bus Operators are Represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1277
     
    Fleet Size: 230 Low Floor and Articulated Buses
     
    Routes: 34
     
    Manufacturer And Powerplant: Historically, Long Beach Transit was a major operator of the RTS buses from GMC but all have since been retired. The bulk of its current fleet is represented by New Flyer D40LF and GE40LF models. In 2011 Long Beach Transit decided to switch to CNG and ordered 60 Gillig BRT units all CNG powered. With its oldest units nearing the end of their service life LBT ordered 13 New Flyer Xcelsior XN60's to begin phasing out older units. LBT was unable to purchase XDE models due to a new California mandate banning new sales of diesel powered units. To compensate and remain Eco-friendly LBT has purchased 10 K9 Electric buses from Chinese manufacturer BYD due to arrive in fall 2016.
     




     
     
     
     
     

    LBT BYD K9 Battery Electric


     
     
     

    Fare Collection: The Contactless Card Payment System in Long Beach is known as TAP card. It is also used by nearly all public transit authorities in Los Angeles County. TAP stands for Transit Access Pass and are manufactured and serviced by Xerox.
     




     
     
     
     
     

    TAP Card and Reader


     

    Livery: Long Beach Transit buses are painted Red on top, Yellow at the bottom and feature a black and white wave pattern down the center. Buses reserved for Long Beach Transit's Passport service which connects riders to the R.M.S Queen Mary are painted Red and Gold. Long Beach Transit does sell the sides of its buses for advertising space. The older livery hosted red and gold stripes on a white backdrop.
     




     
     
     
     
     

    LBT New Flyer D40LF


     

    Innovations: Long Beach Transit is perhaps best known for directly engaging its customers and potential customers by encouraging them to "Dump The Pump" and ride the bus to save energy and fuel. Long Beach Transit is well known for its strong ad campaigns to this effect and it has largely been successful. Ridership has been on the increase for years nearly reaching 90,000 people per weekday despite being a medium sized service.
     
     
     


    LBT At Work


     
     
     
     
     




     
     
     
     
     
     
     




  18. Stalliongrad
    In the world of truck driving many great faces are often not recognized for the hard physically demanding work they do, UPS has a special way of recognizing the talents of hardworking employees.
     




     

    UPS Driver Ginny Odom displays her Circle of Honor 40 Years Patch


     
     
     
    Overview: ​UPS Drivers who go 25 years without a "preventable" accident are inducted into the Circle of Honor. A prestigious group of veteran drivers who have also achieved that milestone. Their name is added to the list of other drivers, a small ceremony at the office is held where other drivers will take a moment to acknowledge their coworker and finally the driver is awarded a special jacket and patches for uniforms which display their years of safe driving.
     




     

    UPS Driver celebrated with a cake from coworkers


     
    ​Its important to note that in 25 years UPS Drivers may have delivered millions of packages and have dodged nearly all types of traffic and obstructions. Cars pulling out in front, inattentive pedestrians and stray animals could have all caused accidents.
     




     

    UPS Driver Merriel Torrey with Circle of Honor 40 Years Patch, Torrey has driven for 42 years accident free.


     



     

    UPS Drivers From Germany Inducted into the Circle of Honor


     

    UPS has also inspired other companies to follow suit, FedEx, PepsiCo, also have similar awards for safe drivers.
     




     

    UPS Driver Ronnie McKnight is often hailed as having the most impressive record, driving for 46 years in New York City and never having an accident while on his routes in the Manhattan area.


     
    Of the 7,000 plus drivers in the Circle of Honor only about 70 have 40 years safe driving.
     
    The International Brotherhood of Teamsters truck drivers union also help recognize the work of these drivers.
  19. Stalliongrad
    Bretagne in Uniform


     

    Location: College Station, Texas
     
    Service: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
    Texas A&M Engineering and Extension Service (TEEX)
     
    Partner: Denise Corliss (TEEX)
     
    Deployments: New York City, New York, United States (September 11 Terrorist Attacks)
    New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (Hurricane Katrina)
    Cities of Texas, Texas, United States (Hurricane Rita) (Hurricane Ivan)
     
    Allegiance: United States of America
     




     

    Bretange and Her Partner Denise Corliss


     

    Overview: Bretange (French spelling of Brittany) was a Female Golden Retriever trained by the Texas A&M Engineering and Extension Service (TEEX) as a search and rescue dog. TEEX serves as a training organization for public safety authorities in the State of Texas. Bretange was among many search and rescue dogs from outside New York sent to assist at the World Trade Center disaster site. She served with her detachment from Texas as part of a FEMA Aid Mission.
     




     

    Bretange and Her Partner


     
    Bretange served at Ground Zero when she was only 2 years old, and stayed for 10 days to help find survivors and the deceased. After she returned to Texas she went on to assist in relief operations with all of the major hurricanes effecting her service area including Hurricane's Katrina, Rita and Ivan. She retired at age 9 and went on to serve as a goodwill ambassador for the service dogs trained to help the elderly.
     



     


    Billboard celebrating Bretange's Return to New York City


     

    On her 16th Birthday Bretange was invited to return to NYC and was given a grand welcome. She and her family were escorted in Limos and a Vintage NYC Taxicab during their stay. She returned to Ground Zero where her efforts were remembered along with the many of the other service dogs who had since passed away. Because many of the other service dogs had passed Bretange was the last known surviving search dog to have served at Ground Zero.
     



     

    An Iconic Checker Marathon Taxicab Escorted Bretange and her Family Around NYC


     



     

    Bretange age 2 and age 16


     
     
     




     

    Bretange is Given a Hero's Sendoff Before Her Sleep


     

    Her owner and TEEX had noted old age had severely effected Bretange's day to day life and on Monday, June 6, 2016 she was put to sleep and relieved of pain at an animal hospital in her hometown in Texas. Her Coworkers and other Local Firefighters, Paramedics and Police Officers attended to show their respects and say their goodbyes. Her coffin was draped in the American Flag and given a police escort to her final resting place.
     




     

    Bretange's Legacy Will Live on As She Joins The Many Other Search Dogs She Worked With Across The Rainbow Bridge In Heaven.


  20. Stalliongrad
    A member of the Iraqi Security Forces secures a checkpoint in Baghdad


     
     
     
    Dates: 2014 - Ongoing
     
    Factions Involved: Government of Iraq, Iraqi Security Forces, Kurdish Peshmerga Forces, ISIS, Iranian Quds Force, Syrian Air Force
     
    Overview: Battling amid the power vacuum created by the withdrawal of the United States and ISAF forces, Iraq has plunged back into civil war with two very clear distinct sides.
     



     

    ISIS used the disorganization of the both the Iraqi and Syrian Governments to seize several key cities


     

    The end of the Iraq War https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_War saw Iraq change drastically. Iraq, previously governed by Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath Party had been removed from power after governing Iraq from 1976 until 2003 Iraq was now open to new political influence. The Ba'athists were Sunni Muslims but were primarily secular in their governance of Iraq. In fact the majority of Muslim people in Iraq adhere to Sunni Islam but during Saddam Hussein's term of power, Iraq remained a largely secular nation. The Iraqi Transitional Government eventually became the new government of Iraq and this government was led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and a largely Shiite Islamic cabinet.
     

    The Shiite Government used this opportunity to turn the tables of history an began to pass laws and enact policies which greatly disfavored the Sunni Majority. Al-Maliki was put in charge with the backing of the Iranian Government, Kurdish Leaders and the CIA under the assumption he would move Iraq forward with the war over.
     



     

    Entrance into the Islamic State from Iraq


     

    The Rise of ISIS: ISIS had been fighting Al-Qaeda in small numbers while their numbers were still small and the temperament of the group could still be considered moderate. This actually led the US and the Iraqi Government to think they were insignificant. ISIS began its large military offensive after an agreement between former members of Saddam Hussein's government and ISIS leaders merged to form a union. Former members of the Ba'ath party and the Republican Guard (Saddam Hussein's Elite Army Units) began fighting for ISIS out of frustration due to the loss of power and oppression of Sunni Muslims at the hands of the Shiite Government. It was after this union that ISIS became a real threat, the former Ba'athists had a sizable army and equipment left over from the US Occupation that winning against the Iraqi Security Forces was a real possibility. After the merger, Al-Qaeda in Iraq was largely pushed back by ISIS and entire Iraqi cities began to fall under ISIS control the first of which being Mosul. ISIS raided the Bank of Mosul securing millions of dollars and took firm control over the city. This theme would continue over Northern Iraq and eventually the Syrian Border. ISIS is not like Al-Qaeda or many other Jihadist Groups because its aim is not simply to purge the Middle East of what they call "Western Incursion" but to create a single country uniting all Muslims in the region by establishing a Caliphate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphate
     




     

    With the capture of Mosul, ISIS seized Money, Oil, Ammunition and thousands of Vehicles


     



    Steamrolling its way across Syria and Iraq, ISIS has claimed territory as far south as Libya and Egypt but has since been pushed back by a lose coalition of allies working in a fractured tandem.


     


    Anti-ISIS Factions:


     




     

    An Iraqi Security Forces Soldier in Anbar Province, Iraq


     



    Iraqi Security Forces: The Security Forces are the professional full time regular military of Iraq. They are the culmination of the final years of the U.S. Occupation in which the United States Military spent a considerable amount of time, money and resources ensuring a new professional army would be ready to defend Iraq from internal and external threats. The Iraqi Security Forces are well trained and well equipped in their fight against ISIS. Using the experience and former equipment of the U.S. Army they are directly engaged on the front lines with ISIS fighters. In the early rise of ISIS influence the Security Forces were not prepared for the shear number of ISIS fighters crossing the Syrian border. Recently the Security Forces have made good gains in reclaiming Iraqi cities from ISIS control. They receive constant consulting and assistance from the International Community in their fight against ISIS.


     
     
     



     

    Kurdish Peshmerga Forces watching over Mosul, Iraq


     



    Kurdish Peshmerga: Northern Iraq is home to the autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan Region, where ethnic Kurdish people have their own country within the borders of Iraq. The Kurds have been longtime supporters of stability in Iraq and the Peshmerga are the official Army of the Kurdish Government. ISIS first began fighting the Kurdish Populations of Syria in their bid to completely take over the country and have failed at every attempt. Kurdish reinforcements from Iraq have moved back and forth over the border to secure the Kurdish Autonomous Regions of both Iraq and Syria from ISIS control. With their territory largely secure they have been moving further south to assist the Iraqi Security Forces in retaking Iraqi cities and settlements. The Kurdish Government has always allied itself with U.S. Interests and were key allies in the capture of both former Iraqi Leader Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaeda Terrorist Leader Osama Bin Laden. Peshmerga Forces are often the reinforcements needed by the regular Iraqi Army and they secure areas that have been captured. The Peshmerga are perhaps best known for their intelligence gathering prowess which have proved extremely helpful in the fight against ISIS. Pesh Means "to stand, or stand in front of" and Merga is translated as "death".


     




     

    Soldiers of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on Parade


     


    Iranian Quds Force: The Elite Stealth Soldiers of the Quds Force are a hybrid of regular full time soldiers and special forces troops who are masters of infiltration and disguise. The Quds Force is unique in that they report directly to the Supreme Ayatollah of Iran and not the Iranian Military Hierarchy. Because the Iranian Government had already been fighting ISIS in Syria their efforts eventually spilled over into assisting Iraq as well. They have been instrumental in organizing the most tactical and strategic victories over ISIS. They have assisted the Iraqi Security Forces in retaking Iraqi cities such as Tikrit. Because of the shadowy nature of their command structure they are often accused of supporting other terrorist organizations however few accusations have turned up any evidence and Iran denies all claims of terrorist support. The Quds Force operating in unison with Iraqi Security Forces is seen as rare as they don't do this frequently.


     
     
     


    These combined forces along with few numbers of U.S. Army, American Military contractors, Turkish Soldiers and other groups have been taking the fight to ISIS in Iraq since the first major push against them in 2014.


     



    ISIS Numbers have been steadily on the decline following several series of losses and dissent within its own ranks. ISIS Commanders have been known to issue beheadings of their own soldiers if they are caught smoking, drinking or violating sharia law. Many ISIS regulars are younger males ranging from 16 to 23. These soldiers man, checkpoints and perform police duties while the seasoned veterans within ISIS ranks are kept on the front lines and enjoy relaxed privileges. Many men have attempted to flee from their duties and have been thrown off of buildings, shot and beheaded.


     



     

    ISIS Police Convoy in Libya


     


    To further discourage desertion, ISIS soldiers have been known to be reassigned to units in different countries away from their families as punishment for disobeying orders.The for the stability of Iraq is shifting toward the favor of the Iraqi Security Forces and its allies, but ISIS control is deeply embedded in the areas it has occupied. Analysis have suggested that Saudi Arabia or Qatar may be responsible for funding ISIS and giving it its immense wealth because they share Wahhabi fundamentalist ideologies and dislike Shia Muslims to the extent of killing them. Both have denied claims, but the conflict may take years to resolve.


  21. Stalliongrad
    Patrolling the streets of North America for 80 years an arguable transit legend is making a resurgence and inspiring a movement.


     
     
     



     
     
     

    TTC PCC Streetcar


     
     
     



     
     
     

    Manufacturer Quick Facts:


     
     
     

    Founded: 1887



    Ceased Operations: 1974



    Main Office: St. Louis, Missouri



    Industry: Streetcars, Railroad Cars, Trolleybuses, Locomotives



    Notable Product: PCC Streetcar, NYCTA/MTA R40A, R38, R14, R36 and various other Rolling Stock for Subway use in New York City.


     
     
     



     
     
     

    SEPTA PCC II Streetcar


     
     
     

    Model Quick Facts:


     
     
     

    Vehicle Length: 46 or 50 Feet



    Vehicle Width: 100 or 108 Inches



    Engine Options: 600V or 750V Electric Overhead Power Lines



    Transmission Options: Pantograph



    Assembly: St. Louis, Missouri, United States:



    Montreal, Quebec, Canada



    Bruges, West Flanders, Belgium



    Beasain, Basque County, Spain



    Prague, Czech Republic


     
     
     



     
     
     

    SF Muni PCC Streetcar


     
     
     

    Overview: The PCC Streetcar gets its name from the group which designed it, the President's Conference Committee. This group which was made up of owners of transit authorities, public and private operators of street railways and electric equipment builders met in 1931 to design a streetcar which better suited the needs of both the companies which operated them and the passengers who ride them. This committee conducted a 4 year span of research from which a list of specifications could be made. The design also allowed for any interested transit companies to slightly modify the design at a reasonable cost to meet city specific needs. The design created by the PCC was shifted into a new company called the Transit Research Corporation which continued the work of the committee after it was disbanded. The TRC protected the patents for the streetcar while allowing various companies to build licensed models for profit but royalties had to be paid to the TRC. The PCC Design committee sparked rival companies to imitate the PCC's concept design of a streetcar that could be used in various cities but all ultimately failed.
     




     
     
     

    D.C. Transit (WMATA) PCC Streetcar preserved and in service with SF Muni


     

    A large portion of the PCC Design was focused on reducing noise which streetcars produced a lot of. This was done by replacing many parts such as the springs with rubber instead of metal which reduced vibration and thus reduced noise. The wheels were also engineered with what is sometimes called the "Sandwich" method placing a rubber wheel in between two metal ones and this also helped reduce noise and improve comfort. Another main focus was in the gear assembly. Gears on older streetcars produce most of the noise heard and the PCC Streetcar used Hypoid Gears. These gears which are assembled at a right angle allow more teeth of the gear to remain engaged at all times. This along with the use of rubber greatly reduced noise as well.
     




     
     
     

    NJ Transit PCC Streetcar


     

    Westinghouse and General Electric both developed advanced accerlation and braking systems which over its life span was constantly improved upon to increase safety. The PCC had 3 pedal controls with the Dead Mans Switch at the left, the brakes in the middle and the accelerator at the right. The dead mans switch is a control used on trains which must be held down for normal operation at all times. When this switch is not held down the train automatically begins to stop ensuring the safety of the passengers in case of the driver falling asleep or suffering a medical emergency. Some cities used different methods for controls. Chicago PCC units used levers instead of pedals. Improvements in technology at the time allowed the PCC to accelerate and brake faster than most cars on the road.
     




     
     
     

    Chicago Surface Lines PCC Streetcar


     
     
     

    Over 5000 PCC Streetcars roamed the streets of nearly all major North American cities and was exported to Europe after WWII. With the increase of Steel, Oil, Rubber and the dominance of those industries the rise of the transit bus began and many cities began to dismantle their streetcar networks in favor of buses. Now nearly 80 years later many cities are returning to the streetcar due to higher diesel costs and newer technologies. Virtually all streetcars built today employ lessons learned during the PCC development committee. Some cities like Toronto, San Francisco and Philadelphia have the oldest remaining original streetcar networks and all preserve PCC streetcars either refurbished for regular use or heritage lines. San Fransisco uniquely has been known to acquire streetcars from other cities and refurbish them in their original liveries. Septa's PCC Streetcars have been completely overhauled with new electrics and LED lighting earning its new designation as the "PCC II".
     


    Retro, Stylish and Environmentally Friendly, the PCC Streetcar has rightly earned its place in the Hall of the Transit Greats, paving the way for the buses that took over after them.


     
     
     
     
     

    SF Muni F Market and Wharves Historic Streetcar Line


     
     
     




     
     
     
     
     

    Septa Route 15 PCC II Streetcars


     
     
     




  22. Stalliongrad
    Luxury Vehicles exude power, ride comfortably, and are at the top of the Automotive food chain. However this vehicle segment is becoming a lot less.... European.. opening up the sector for much more competition.
     
     
     

    South Korea:


     




     

    Kia K900


     

    Kia Motors: In the Mid 2010's Hyundai decided it would take on the luxury vehicle market outside of Korea and venture into the North American and European Luxury vehicle market. Hyundai stepped onto the scene with the Hyundai Equus and its smaller (slightly) less expensive twin the Kia K900 as Flagships and the Hyundai Genesis and Kia Cadenza to compete in the full size second tier. Hyundai and Kia hired former designers from Audi to help re brand and redesign its lineup which has been met with mixed success. The Kia K900 is a sportier smaller version of the Hyundai Equus and starts at about $60,000. Kia still has a lot to prove to the executives of the world before they will be willing to spend that much on a Kia. The K900 has a far less equipped interior than the larger Equus but has scored high marks for effort.
     



     

    2018 Hyundai Equus


     
    Hyundai Motor Company: Hyundai developed the Equus in 1999 as a luxury vehicle marketed toward VIPs and the elite in Korea. In 2009 it released an updated version which Hyundai intended to sell internationally to compete with full size competitors . with the release of newer luxury models to fill this place Hyundai decided to upgrade the Equus a third time making it a flagship model on par with the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes Benz S- Class. The Equus starts at $65,000 while still giving a very smooth ride which has helped sales. It is the second luxury sedan which has taken business from the German 3.
     

    Japan:


     




     

    Lexus LS600H L (Hybrid, Long Wheelbase Chauffeured Version)


     

    Lexus: Toyota started the entire Lexus brand in the United States with the sole purpose of creating a vehicle which could compete with Mercedes Benz. The car which started that brand eventually became the the Lexus LS in 1989. The Lexus LS has long been the only Japanese car even close to competing with the Germans and in recent years have begun to expand on catching up. Lexus began implementing experimental technologies into the LS such as the automated parking assist feature which neither Mercedes Benz, BMW or Audi had tested yet. As the list of features standard on the LS continues to rise as does its price which has gone form $50,000 to $70,000. The top of the line Hybrid model starts at $110,000. Not far from the New Mercedes Benz S Class which starts at $131,000.
     



     

    Infiniti Q70 Sport Package


     
    Infiniti: Nissan's entry into the realm of luxury vehicles began roughly after Toyota's did. However Nissan's international alliance (largely run by Renault) has hindered growth of its luxury and performance brand. To save on costs, all Infiniti models have direct JDM Nissan badged counterparts. This hinders innovation because Infiniti is not given the freedom to design new vehicles from concept to reality and many JDM models are actually quite smaller and conservative than their European and International counterparts. This is evidenced in the Infiniti Q70 which is not on par with the Lexus LS or Hyundai Equus and starts at only $50,000.
     




     

    Acura RLX Sport Hybrid


     
    Acura: Honda revamped its Acura line up entirely to coincide with the reveal of a brand new highly anticipated Acura NSX. Nearly all new Acura Models take styling cues from the NSX which Acura North American executives have said was intended to breathe new life into a soul less brand. Acura historically done a poor job at re branding Honda JDM models as luxury vehicles with the original Honda templates often being better than the Acura counterpart. The New Honda Civic is far more popular than its Acura ILX twin. The RL however has scored high marks for separating itself from the Honda Accord buried underneath starting at $50,000 as well.
     


    United States:


     




     

    2017 Lincoln Continental


     
    Lincoln Motor Company: Since the departure of the Town Car and Continental, Lincoln has been much like Acura albeit with far better build quality. Ever since selling Jaguar and Land Rover brands to the Indian Automotive conglomerate Tata Motors, Ford has struggled with Luxury Vehicle sales. Lincoln models have long been re badged Ford vehicles with slight exterior design changes which have proven to be immensely unpopular. Ford has begun to fix this problem by introducing a new Flagship to lead the lineup bringing back the Continental for another run. Completely new and unlike any current Lincoln in production newer vehicles will eventually take cues from this model expected to debut in 2017 with a starting price of $55,000.
     




     

    2013 Cadillac XTS Concept


     
    Cadillac: In 2013 Cadillac sought to improve sales by capitalizing on its extremely successful CTS platform by unveiling a new flagship model intended to compete with BMW and Audi for the Mid range flagship model sector. When the XTS became a reality it was a full size flagship nearly identical to its concept teaser photo. Cadillac has successfully ditched its previous stereotype that only old grandma's in Florida drive them by aggressively marketing itself as a cheaper yet satisfying alternative to the more expensive European competitors. The XTS also has seen high sales due to the departure of the Lincoln Town Car as a livery vehicle. Most chauffeured cars in the US now are Cadillac XTS models with an extended wheelbase. The standard XTS starts at $45,000
     



     

    2016 Chrysler 300S


     
    Chrysler: The revamp of the Chrysler lineup is attributed to the update of the first generation Chrysler 300. The 300 was based on an older Mercedes Benz E Class (which it at the time was allowed to use due to its partnership in DaimlerChrysler) and incorporated mid range luxury into a high end form factor which increased its popularity. Because it shares a platform with the cheaper Dodge Charger the 300 has many interchangeable parts, leaving many who cannot afford the expensive SRT8 version to simply swap out stock Chrysler 300 parts for Dodge Charger RT parts for added performance. The 300S starts at $32,000
     




     

    2017 Tesla Model S


     

    Tesla Motors: The California based car company has been in business since 2003 and only until recently in 2013 did the company make any profits. This is largely attributed to the Model S and the general company culture at Tesla which prides itself on producing plug in electric vehicles only. The unique design of the Model S mean that the interior of the vehicle has far more space than would be expected and because it is powered by electric motors and batteries it weighs far less than similar vehicles in this price bracket. Perhaps the most stunning feature of the Model S is the dashboard computer which integrates nearly all dashboard and center console functions into a touchscreen computer. Tesla began producing the Model S in 2012 and has seen extensive popularity in Europe due to the heavy incentives for electric vehicles. Currently the major European brands do not offer true plug in electrics on par with the Tesla Model S only Hybrids. BMW is the closest to closing this gap.
    The Tesla Model S Starts at $70,000 with the top of the line model at $108,000.
     

    With their high price tags these vehicles seem out of reach to most of us. But sometimes the best adventures are the ones we can only dream of, which of these would you take with you?
  23. Stalliongrad
    The Final Vehicle produced by an arguable transit legend, the 42 BRT series is the final hurrah from North American Bus Industries.


     



     

    WMATA NABI 42 BRT


     




     
     
     

    Manufacturer Quick Facts:


     

    Founded: 1992



    Main Office: Anniston, Alabama



    Industry: Transit Buses



    Notable Product: LFW, BRT, CompoBus, NABI 416


     



     

    NABI 42 BRT Factory Demonstrator


     


    Model Quick Facts:


     

    Vehicle Length: 42 or 60 Feet



    Vehicle Width: 102 Inches



    Vehicle Height: 10 Feet, 10 Inches



    Engine Options: Diesel, Diesel Electric Hybrid or CNG



    Transmission Options: BAE Hybri-drive



    Assembly: Anniston, Alabama


     




     

    Massport Boston-Logan Airport Shuttle NABI 42 BRT


     

    Overview: NABI was orginally founded as the American branch of Hungarian Bus Manufacturer Ikarus and began manufacturing exported Hungarian bus models in the United States under the brand name of American Ikarus. The buses were assembled in the United States in Alabama from Hungarian "Knock-Down" kits, or containers with parts which can be quickly assembled. In 2009 the company now known as NABI began a joint venture with British manufacturer Optare and also began experimenting with chassis offerings from both Scania and MAN.
     



     

    Foothill Transit NABI 42 BRT


     
    NABI's European origins were often reflected in its "Futuristic" bus design and styling offered in its line up. In mid 2010 NABI's North American and Hungarian operations were largely separated however the
    company still maintains a presence in Hungary. The 42 BRT was NABI's direct response to the dominance of New Flyer's Xcelsior model range but would ultimately prove unsuccessful.
     



     

    LAMTA Metro Local NABI 42 BRT


     
    The 42 BRT was inteded to be an improvement over NABI's aging LFW platform as well as a counter to New Flyer's Dominance of the market share. The 42 BRT is remarkably similar to the Xcelsior but its overall appearance is much different. NABI was purchased by New Flyer in 2013 after it acquired the company from a financial group for $79 Million. New Flyer announced it would dissolve NABI's model line up after 2015 and the NABI plant in Alabama would be converted to produced its Xcelsior model range. The last NABI LFW produced was built for Dallas Area Rapid Transit was completed in October 2015.
     
    The 42 BRT was offered with features the Xcelsior did not offer as standard. 42 BRT's could be ordered with side-skirts which protected pedestrians from being in contact with the wheels as well as debris being kicked up by them. They also assisted with making the bus more aerodynamic, saving on fuel. 42 BRT's also came with a large circular one piece windshield which gave extremely good visibility in contrast to the Xcelsior's smaller two piece windshield. The 42 BRT was also equipped with more ports for security cameras which were mounted on nearly every corner of the bus. Some agencies opt for this feature to be omitted to save on cost but others like WMATA have kept this feature and it allows agencies to see who is at fault during accident litigation.
     



     

    WMATA NABI 60 BRT


     


    WMATA NABI 42 BRT


     




     





  24. Stalliongrad
    Lenny Robinson, The Baltimore Batman


     

    Location: State of Maryland, United States of America
     
    Lenny Robinson was a retired business owner who sold his cleaning company and spent his time doing charity work.
     



     

    Lenny Robinson's "Batmobile"


     
    After selling his cleaning company, Robinson invested in a highly detailed costume replica of the Batsuit and purchased a Lamborghini Gallardo which his customized as the Batmobile. He kept the trunk full of toys and spent his retirement visiting sick children in Baltimore area hospitals. He would arrange to surprise children in the hospital dressed as Batman and give out toys to the children and spend time with them.
     



     

    2012 Montgomery County Police Dashcam Footage of Robinson


     
    Robinson became famous in 2012 when we was pulled over in Montgomery County, Maryland over an issue with his license plate which he forgot to replace. The image of Batman being pulled over by the the police instantly went viral and Robinson became internationally famous. He was allowed to leave after putting the state issued plate back on.
     



     

    Lenny Robinson with a Patient


     
    Robinson became a bit of a regional celebrity here in the DC and Baltimore Metro Areas. He was recognized for his efforts by several organizations including the Ronald McDonald Foundation. He even appeared on the news a few times to do the weather dressed as Batman.
     



     

    Robinson passes out toys to a child outside Georgetown University Hospital in DC


     
    DC and Baltimore being only 30mins apart Robinson spent his time traveling across the area visiting kids at hospitals and events with the mission of bringing smiles to their faces. He was an avid fan of the Baltimore Ravens and befriended members of the team. He would attend games dressed as Batman occasionally and pump up the crowds at halftime.
     



     

    Lenny Robinson Tragically Died on August 16, 2015 after he was struck by a car while trying to repair his Batmobile on the roadside.


  25. Stalliongrad
    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 compressed air being ignited with diesel fuel.
     




     
     
     

    In a Diesel Four Stroke Cycle, The Air is compressed and then atomized Diesel Fuel is injected into the cylinder. High Temperature, Compressed air when injected with Diesel Fuel creates the ignition.


     
     
     



     
     
     

    In a 4 Stroke Gasoline Engine, the fuel and air are already mixed and ignited with the use of a spark plug.


     

    Diesel Engine Runaway: Runaway occurs when a Diesel engine fuel injectors become jammed and constantly supply the engine with diesel, valves become stuck open and the engine begins to burn anything combustible. When this happens the engine begins to rev beyond its red line capabilities and runs at very high RPMs. The Engine is effectively feeding itself and there is no way to stop it.
     
    Jammed Fuel Injectors: Although this condition is rare one of the most common causes for Diesel Engine Runaway is a set of faulty fuel injectors. The injectors essentially "spritz" a small amount of diesel per stroke. When they jam, they are in effect "dumping" diesel fuel into the chambers which causes the ignition to happen more frequently and more violently thus speeding up the engine.
     
    Blown Turbochargers: Turbochargers are essentially small turbines operating at high RPMs. When these devices fail what frequently happens is one if the Turbo fan blades ruptures and metal shavings break off into the turbocharger and are subsequently sucked into the engine. Metal shavings inside of the engine combustion chambers could cause an Injector to fail as well as other damage, this is the second known cause of Diesel Engine Runaway.
     



     


    Blown Turbocharger (Note the jagged edges of the turbine fan and missing blade)


     

    Correction: The only way to stop a Diesel Engine with this rare defect is to cut of its air supply. This is usually done by spraying a CO2 Fire Extinguisher into the Air Intake. This will choke off the air supply to the engine and with no fuel air mixture the engine will stop. The other less safe method would be to jam towels and shirts into the air intake as well.
     
    Other than this there is no way to stop Diesel Engine Runaway from catastrophic engine failure. The only thing that can be done is to wait until all of the fuel, oil etc that has made its way into the engine to burn out. The low ignition point of Diesel means that its less volatile and will burn just about anything combustible
     


    Runaway Peterbilt


     
     
     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiBxwGQQ8Js.

     
     
     

    Locomotive Blown Turbocharger


     
     
     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8RvoppZT0Y

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