300 Series New Looks

[ibebobo]

Hi all.

Does anyone remember in the early 90's there was a bunch of new looks numbered in the 300's that were purchased used for a short time? I think they were here due to a delay in the 4400's but am not sure.

Where were they purchased from and was that the reason? Does anyone have any pictures of them?

Thanks!

[Guest]

Hi all.

Does anyone remember in the early 90's there was a bunch of new looks numbered in the 300's that were purchased used for a short time? I think they were here due to a delay in the 4400's but am not sure.

Where were they purchased from and was that the reason? Does anyone have any pictures of them?

Thanks!

There were a bunch of these buses displaying various paint schemes, they were assigned to FG. I remember those buses when I was attending Schurz H.S., I would see them in tripper service on the 56 Milwaukee. I dont know what cities these buses came from, I heard some came from Canada. I do have a pic of a solid white GMC 300 on the 84 Peterson at Caldwell.

[wordguy]

Hi all.

Does anyone remember in the early 90's there was a bunch of new looks numbered in the 300's that were purchased used for a short time? I think they were here due to a delay in the 4400's but am not sure.

Where were they purchased from and was that the reason? Does anyone have any pictures of them?

Thanks!

If my memory serves me, the 300s (II) --- as opposed to the earlier 300s delivered in 1963, affectionately nicknamed "The Cream Puffs" --- came on board in early '84 owing to a production delay involving the 9800/1600 series Flyers.

There were actually two series of them: first there were 310-319, of varying ages but all seemingly from the early '60s. Some were solid white except for the aluminum sides, others had various colors of striping. Thought I recall that they came from New Orleans, but I'm not certain. CTA 301, one of the "Cream Puffs" was also resurrected for a brief period of time for revenue service. It still exists as part of the CTA collection of antiques.

Later on, the 310s were replaced by 330-339 which had operated in Calgary, Alberta. Both series were used primarily on Peterson, but I remember seeing them on Milwaukee Avenue once in a while as well.

[Busjack]

If my memory serves me, the 300s (II) --- as opposed to the earlier 300s delivered in 1963, affectionately nicknamed "The Cream Puffs" --- came on board in early '84 owing to a production delay involving the 9800/1600 series Flyers.

There were actually two series of them: first there were 310-319, of varying ages but all seemingly from the early '60s. Some were solid white except for the aluminum sides, others had various colors of striping. Thought I recall that they came from New Orleans, but I'm not certain. CTA 301, one of the "Cream Puffs" was also resurrected for a brief period of time for revenue service. It still exists as part of the CTA collection of antiques.

Later on, the 310s were replaced by 330-339 which had operated in Calgary, Alberta. Both series were used primarily on Peterson, but I remember seeing them on Milwaukee Avenue once in a while as well.

The 301 in Krambles book sure looks like the original to me. The description is "This 1962-built GMC worked well past ists nominal service life--it was a tribute to Foreman Jim Ward's team at Forest Glen Garage as well as the South Shops heavy repair group. Replaced finally by Flxible "Metros" in 1991, bus 301 was preserved at Kedzie garage."

Now, unless you are one of those that have the serial number list for all GMCs, it would be hard to believe that Krambles is foisting a fake, and CTA would have saved one. It is sort of like saying while it is questionable whether 8499 has its original front, CTA got it secondhand in 1974 (which I can assure you is not the case) and then decided to preserve it.

[ibebobo]

There were a bunch of these buses displaying various paint schemes, they were assigned to FG. I remember those buses when I was attending Schurz H.S., I would see them in tripper service on the 56 Milwaukee. I dont know what cities these buses came from, I heard some came from Canada. I do have a pic of a solid white GMC 300 on the 84 Peterson at Caldwell.

If you could post that pic or e mail it to me at ibebobo@aol.com I would really appreciate it! That is a short time in history that has almost been forgotten.

Thanks again!

[ibebobo]

If my memory serves me, the 300s (II) --- as opposed to the earlier 300s delivered in 1963, affectionately nicknamed "The Cream Puffs" --- came on board in early '84 owing to a production delay involving the 9800/1600 series Flyers.

There were actually two series of them: first there were 310-319, of varying ages but all seemingly from the early '60s. Some were solid white except for the aluminum sides, others had various colors of striping. Thought I recall that they came from New Orleans, but I'm not certain. CTA 301, one of the "Cream Puffs" was also resurrected for a brief period of time for revenue service. It still exists as part of the CTA collection of antiques.

Later on, the 310s were replaced by 330-339 which had operated in Calgary, Alberta. Both series were used primarily on Peterson, but I remember seeing them on Milwaukee Avenue once in a while as well.

Speaking of the antique collection, are there any plans on displaying them? Any special events coming up?

[busfan2847]

Hi all.

Does anyone remember in the early 90's there was a bunch of new looks numbered in the 300's that were purchased used for a short time? I think they were here due to a delay in the 4400's but am not sure.

Where were they purchased from and was that the reason? Does anyone have any pictures of them?

Thanks!

These buses were on loan from Flyer while warranty repairs were carried out on the 16xx and 98xx vehicles. The first batch were ex New Orleans and were originally numbered 200-209 before quickly becoming 310-319. They were joined later by another batch 330-339 which were ex-Calgary. Both batches operated from FG with the last being returned to Flyer in 4/87.

[Busjack]

These buses were on loan from Flyer while warranty repairs were carried out on the 16xx and 98xx vehicles. The first batch were ex New Orleans and were originally numbered 200-209 before quickly becoming 310-319. They were joined later by another batch 330-339 which were ex-Calgary. Both batches operated from FG with the last being returned to Flyer in 4/87.

Apparently, then, they didn't include 301.

[BusHunter]

Apparently, then, they didn't include 301.

Here's a post wrote by Andre the busman from Yahoo Chicagotransit that should give some back history to bus #301 in case you were wondering. "#301 was a full in kind rebuild about 1985. It was intended to be first of a program to rebuild remaining 1960's GM and Flx's at a time when CTA was embroiled in a major dispute between handicapped activists over whether mainline buses would have lifts. CTA realized this would take years to resolve (and it did) and wanted to see if it was feasable to extend the service lives of the remaining fleet through complete overhauls. Flx #3542 was also done, but it was scrapped after a couple of years as the remaining flx's were deemed to far gone to save. #301 survived for years though, finally being retired about 1997, after 36 years on the road. Interestingly, the second longest surviving #300 #416 was retired the same day as #301 yet it had never been rebuilt. " As I understand it what busfan2847 says a few posts above is accurate. There was a picture of #319 in 1987 at Jeff pk. in the sb Central bay awhile back on Ebay. That's the only picture I ever saw of these. Occasionally you can find pictures of old buses on Ebay probably the best I ever saw was picture of the Animal bus #3433 in front of Lincoln PK.

[Busjack]

Occasionally you can find pictures of old buses on Ebay probably the best I ever saw was picture of the Animal bus #3433 in front of Lincoln PK.

Technically the Lephant bus, so called, and also on route 74L. Pun between the elephant and the connection to the Fullerton L station.

[BusHunter]

Technically the Lephant bus, so called, and also on route 74L. Pun between the elephant and the connection to the Fullerton L station.

I somehow have a vague recollection of these buses being painted grey with animals on it. The picture I saw shows it as white with different colored animals on it. I guess I had a false memory. Does anyone know if both buses (#3434, #3435 ) were painted exactly the same as #3433 ?

[ibebobo]

I somehow have a vague recollection of these buses being painted grey with animals on it. The picture I saw shows it as white with different colored animals on it. I guess I had a false memory. Does anyone know if both buses (#3434, #3435 ) were painted exactly the same as #3433 ?

Also, what is the story with #131? I remember is being parked at FG awhile back but it is not there anymore. It was repainted in the lime green colors and I remember someone way back told me it was a "water bus" to bring bottled water to drivers on hot days. Does it still exist? And there was one other bus #3091 that was a combination of all kinds of stuff. What is the story about that and does it still exist?

[Guest ctafan630]

Technically the Lephant bus, so called, and also on route 74L. Pun between the elephant and the connection to the Fullerton L station.

Does any one have pictures of these "Lephant Buses"? I remember these slightly from my youth. I would take the 74 Fullerton bus down to the Red Line and then have to catch one of these for the remaining portion of the trip to the zoo.

How many of these buses were there in total?

[Guest]

Also, what is the story with #131? I remember is being parked at FG awhile back but it is not there anymore. It was repainted in the lime green colors and I remember someone way back told me it was a "water bus" to bring bottled water to drivers on hot days. Does it still exist? And there was one other bus #3091 that was a combination of all kinds of stuff. What is the story about that and does it still exist?

#131 was stored for a time at FG, #3091 is still at there at FG. Im not sure if #131 is still on the property. #3091 is a Flxible New Look but was rebuilt with parts from MAN artics and Flyer buses. You can see the MAN and Flyer parts on the bus.

[Buslover88]

#131 was stored for a time at FG, #3091 is still at there at FG. Im not sure if #131 is still on the property.

I'm not sure, but I think I saw #131 when I was at FG last month. It was a green-toned bus.

[Guest]

If anyone wants to a see a 300 CTA GMC in action get the movie "Cooley High" made in 1975. The kids hop aboard the rear of #388 on the 70 Division, and you will also see CTA GMC #1515, my dad is behind the wheel of that bus. Throughout the movie you see the old CTA trains and other quick shots of the old CTA buses.

[Guest]

Here's a post wrote by Andre the busman from Yahoo Chicagotransit that should give some back history to bus #301 in case you were wondering. "#301 was a full in kind rebuild about 1985. It was intended to be first of a program to rebuild remaining 1960's GM and Flx's at a time when CTA was embroiled in a major dispute between handicapped activists over whether mainline buses would have lifts. CTA realized this would take years to resolve (and it did) and wanted to see if it was feasable to extend the service lives of the remaining fleet through complete overhauls. Flx #3542 was also done, but it was scrapped after a couple of years as the remaining flx's were deemed to far gone to save. #301 survived for years though, finally being retired about 1997, after 36 years on the road. Interestingly, the second longest surviving #300 #416 was retired the same day as #301 yet it had never been rebuilt. " As I understand it what busfan2847 says a few posts above is accurate. There was a picture of #319 in 1987 at Jeff pk. in the sb Central bay awhile back on Ebay. That's the only picture I ever saw of these. Occasionally you can find pictures of old buses on Ebay probably the best I ever saw was picture of the Animal bus #3433 in front of Lincoln PK.

I remember seeing those colorful GMCs on the 76 Diversey back in the 80s. But for some reason I didnt pay much attention to them.

[artthouwill]

I remember seeing those colorful GMCs on the 76 Diversey back in the 80s. But for some reason I didnt pay much attention to them.

I remember in the early '80s (around 1983) seeing these buses reappear on the scene. I would see them on the 6 Jeffery Express. It was kind of funny seeing them then.

What were the little circular windows above the big windows called on the New Looks? The reason I ask is because the 300s that were at 69th/Ashland back in the earlyto mid 70s seemed to be missing some of the circles in the middle of that section above the middle of the big window, so the small window actually ran the length of the big window, but those little slants about a 1/4 way and 3/4 way through that small window sometimes would have a dark green tint between the slants. Does anyone understand what I am trying to describe?

[wordguy]

I remember in the early '80s (around 1983) seeing these buses reappear on the scene. I would see them on the 6 Jeffery Express. It was kind of funny seeing them then.

What were the little circular windows above the big windows called on the New Looks? The reason I ask is because the 300s that were at 69th/Ashland back in the earlyto mid 70s seemed to be missing some of the circles in the middle of that section above the middle of the big window, so the small window actually ran the length of the big window, but those little slants about a 1/4 way and 3/4 way through that small window sometimes would have a dark green tint between the slants. Does anyone understand what I am trying to describe?

I believe they were known as 'standee windows'.