Read as you ride

One just sold (12/26) on eBay. Sorry I'm late with this. The pics are cool, though. Auction #230719872611

I'm just the opposite. I was fascinated with the uniqueness of the 300's as they were originally delivered. No other 5301's anywhere were like them, with their small, chrome "bullet" markers, bezel-less front turn signals, and close-set tail lamps. All unique, CTA specifications, I assume. I also liked the solid green front end. The 800's (as I remember them) came with standard 5303, wide-spaced tail lamps. They also arrived with white "faces." Like the repainted 300's, the bright front end apparently made the bus more visible as it approached, especially at night.

Like this?

Love the idea of framing sections of a destination sign (side or front)! I have a few sign rolls, but have never quite known what to do with them. Years ago, I cut one up and used it as a window shade, but it soon fell apart and I was left with destination sign scraps, which I eventually threw away. Now my signs just sit, rolled up in the basement. Framing would be a great way to preserve AND display them. Thanks!

Hate to see this thread suffer such an untimely demise. It's such a fun topic (IMHO)! Doesn't anyone else have a CTA collectible/souvenir/piece of memorabilia to share?!? Photo? Toy? Sign? Student bus pass? Marker light? Anything??? Let me try to get things re-started. How about this? Anybody have one? (I do.) Now... next entry... ;)

I'm sure it's the actual CTA 8563, all right. But I have a feeling the idyllic suburban scene isn't anywhere near CTA territory. The sign says "Chicago Heights" (not a CTA destination I've heard of), with no route number, and the side sign is missing. What's more, the narrow, residential street is barely big enough for a bike, let alone a city bus! My guess is that this publicity photo was simply staged by Flxible, somewhere near Loudonville, before these buses were delivered to the CTA. But it sure makes a 40 foot, ten ton, diesel-belcher look family friendly, doesn't it?

Here's a Flxible publicity photo for the CTA 8500's. Not exactly Chicago... or is it?!?

Sorry, MRCTA... It's been SO long ago (early '70's) that my memory fails. Cost was a few bucks, probably. Don't know what other signs have survived off-hand, but if I come across anything while rooting through my junk, I'll post a photo.

The CTA logo sticky was a flea market find, if I remember correctly. It came with a few other stickers, like "Exact fare required." Still has the paper backing, so never used. Wrinkles, tears, and other signs of abuse are from my poor storage.

Don't want to hog this topic, but I've got to show just one more collectible. The years haven't been kind to my CTA emblem (thanks mostly to my careless storage), but it's still around. I've always wanted to stick it on something, but never could figure out what, so it remains (except for this photo) in a box in my basement, curled edges and all. Now it's someone else's turn...

Got mine on eBay, but a while ago, so I don't remember the seller... although I'm pretty sure it was a hobby shop in Chicago. I've seen them a lot at toy shows, too, so they must be available/orderable. Check wheelsoftime.com Have 7200, 7206, 7267, and 7290.

Agree with Wolfman! If I remember correctly (it's been a long, long time!), we were told during instruction never to blow by bus stops with folks waiting, no matter how full our bus is. People get angry when they get passed up. They feel ignored and don't like waiting for the next bus. In most folks' minds, there's always room for one more inside a crowded bus. We were told the correct solution is to stop, open the doors, and give the folks a chance to squeeze in until THEY decide they can't. Hopefully, when doing this causes you to run hopelessly late, your follower (who will be on your tail) will pull up behind you, stop, and give the folks a less crowded bus to board. Either that, or your follower, who is sympathetic to your plight, will go around you while you're stopped and make the next stop... and the two of you will play leapfrogging buses (except when someone needs to exit) all the way home. Doing that tends to even out the load and help maintain times.

Better?

For all you Mack lovers... Run out (now) and stock up on the Wheels of Time N-gauge Macks. They're available in a ton of liveries. The CTA liveried ones come with your choice of several numbers, as well as unmarked. Buy yourself a fleet; they're fun!

Now, for the other questions. Hard to say what piece of CTA memorabilia I value the most. But I'll take a shot at it and say this St. Louis Car Co. manufacturer plate from car #6714. I doubt any transit museum would want it. If I could have any CTA anything, I'd probably pick one of these parade buses. Don't know where I'd put it. Maybe in my back yard, though there's probably a zoning ordinance against that.