cta buses #1 - ?

[ibebobo]

I remember a number of buses starting with #1 which I believe was a new look (100 or 300 series) with A/C. I don't remember how many but they were run up north by Evanston. Does anyone know the story about them and how many of them were there?

[Busjack]

I remember a number of buses starting with #1 which I believe was a new look (100 or 300 series) with A/C. I don't remember how many but they were run up north by Evanston. Does anyone know the story about them and how many of them were there?

It went up to 52. However, the first bunch was a mixture of green propanes, 800 series CTA air conditioned New Looks, and 1972 lime and pines (approximately 6-9, 6 was really 1096). About 20 buses were assigned to Evanston at one time, and as new equipment was received in the 70s, some 9600s got the low digits. The 800s got their original numbers back, and then went to 69th.

Apparently, there was some effort to distinguish the service, since Evanston was subsidizing it. You needed a through transfer to transfer to buses or Ls to Chicago.

[ibebobo]

It went up to 52. However, the first bunch was a mixture of green propanes, 800 series CTA air conditioned New Looks, and 1972 lime and pines (approximately 6-9, 6 was really 1096). About 20 buses were assigned to Evanston at one time, and as new equipment was received in the 70s, some 9600s got the low digits. The 800s got their original numbers back, and then went to 69th.

Apparently, there was some effort to distinguish the service, since Evanston was subsidizing it. You needed a through transfer to transfer to buses or Ls to Chicago.

Thanks. Do you or anyone else have any pictures of any of these? I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone inquire about these.

[wordguy]

It went up to 52. However, the first bunch was a mixture of green propanes, 800 series CTA air conditioned New Looks, and 1972 lime and pines (approximately 6-9, 6 was really 1096). About 20 buses were assigned to Evanston at one time, and as new equipment was received in the 70s, some 9600s got the low digits. The 800s got their original numbers back, and then went to 69th.

Apparently, there was some effort to distinguish the service, since Evanston was subsidizing it. You needed a through transfer to transfer to buses or Ls to Chicago.

Actually, the last group of buses set aside for Evanston service was 40-64, consisting of two series of renumbered lime and pines (I like that description) delivered in 1974 and 1976 respectively. Their original numbers were 7400-7411 and 9600-9612.

Sometime during 1986 or '87, the "Evanston set-aside" arrangement was discontinued (I don't know the details). As a result, 40-64 were given their original numbers and reassigned to non-Evanston North Park service. Initially, MAN Americanas were then used to fill Evanston runs while continuing to operate in Chicago as well, probably because they had electronic signs. The older buses had signrolls which didn't include the 200-series Evanston routes.

In 1991, as the lift-equipped TMCs arrived, they replaced the Americanas on Routes 201 and 203. The Americanas continued to run on Routes 202 and 204 until 2003 or so; they were among the last non-ADA compliant routes.

[Guest]

Actually, the last group of buses set aside for Evanston service was 40-64, consisting of two series of renumbered lime and pines (I like that description) delivered in 1974 and 1976 respectively. Their original numbers were 7400-7411 and 9600-9612.

Sometime during 1986 or '87, the "Evanston set-aside" arrangement was discontinued (I don't know the details). As a result, 40-64 were given their original numbers and reassigned to non-Evanston North Park service. Initially, MAN Americanas were then used to fill Evanston runs while continuing to operate in Chicago as well, probably because they had electronic signs. The older buses had signrolls which didn't include the 200-series Evanston routes.

In 1991, as the lift-equipped TMCs arrived, they replaced the Americanas on Routes 201 and 203. The Americanas continued to run on Routes 202 and 204 until 2003 or so; they were among the last non-ADA compliant routes.

There was also a 35ft Flxible propane #0

[Busjack]

There was also a 35ft Flxible propane #0

I thought I remembered seeing that, but wasn't sure.

On other things, I will defer to wordguy, who has better information. Appaently there is a lapse in our recollections regarding what was in approximately the 20s and 30s.

Finally, the unique roll sign may be a reason why they were given the different numbers, rather than my speculation about distinguishing them on a fare basis.

[Guest]

I thought I remembered seeing that, but wasn't sure.

On other things, I will defer to wordguy, who has better information. Appaently there is a lapse in our recollections regarding what was in approximately the 20s and 30s.

Finally, the unique roll sign may be a reason why they were given the different numbers, rather than my speculation about distinguishing them on a fare basis.

Actually #0 is exCTA #8439. This bus I believe sits at the bus collection near Joliet.

[wordguy]

I thought I remembered seeing that, but wasn't sure.

On other things, I will defer to wordguy, who has better information. Appaently there is a lapse in our recollections regarding what was in approximately the 20s and 30s.

Finally, the unique roll sign may be a reason why they were given the different numbers, rather than my speculation about distinguishing them on a fare basis.

True, there was once a 35-foot propane numbered #0; I had forgotten about it, too.

Regarding the "second-generation" Evanston roster, I believe it consisted of the following:

21-25: 1972 GMs 1100-1104

26-32: 3300-series 1966 35-foot Flxibles: various out-of-sequence numbers including 3306, 3376, and 3406.

Actually, the above twelve buses replaced only the short propanes 0 & 10-20 (ex-8400s) not too long after the CTA took over Evanston service, when the other (unchanged) 8400s were also retired. 1-9 remained part of the Evanston fleet at that time.

Ultimately, 1-9 & 21-32 were completely replaced by 40-64. The former groups were reassigned their original numbers. 800-804 (nee 1-5) ended up at 69th St. 6-9 & 21-25, rechristened 1096-1104, migrated to 77th St. The various 3300s (26-32), I believe went to Kedzie. If my memories serves me, 33-39 never existed.

[wordguy]

True, there was once a 35-foot propane numbered #0; I had forgotten about it, too.

Regarding the "second-generation" Evanston roster, I believe it consisted of the following:

21-25: 1972 GMs 1100-1104

26-32: 3300-series 1966 35-foot Flxibles: various out-of-sequence numbers including 3306, 3376, and 3406.

Actually, the above twelve buses replaced only the short propanes 0 & 10-20 (ex-8400s) not too long after the CTA took over Evanston service, when the other (unchanged) 8400s were also retired. 1-9 remained part of the Evanston fleet at that time.

Ultimately, 1-9 & 21-32 were completely replaced by 40-64. The former groups were reassigned their original numbers. 800-804 (nee 1-5) ended up at 69th St. 6-9 & 21-25, rechristened 1096-1104, migrated to 77th St. The various 3300s (26-32), I believe went to Kedzie. If my memories serves me, 33-39 never existed.

Oops! Just jogged my memory a tad and realized I was wrong about the 3300s that became 26-32. That group was renumbered from 3300-3306. Three more 3300s, including 3376 & 3406, were added to the Evanston fleet later as #s 33-35. (36-39 never existed).

[Busjack]

True, there was once a 35-foot propane numbered #0; I had forgotten about it, too.

... The various 3300s (26-32), I believe went to Kedzie.

Also it depends on when they were taken out and replaced by the 7400s and 9600s. By 1977, when the 9600s arrived, CTA was selling off 3300s (you could see them on condo shuttles and the like).

[ibebobo]

Actually #0 is exCTA #8439. This bus I believe sits at the bus collection near Joliet.

Where in Joliet? I would love to take a ride there to see some old equipment.

[wordguy]

Also it depends on when they were taken out and replaced by the 7400s and 9600s. By 1977, when the 9600s arrived, CTA was selling off 3300s (you could see them on condo shuttles and the like).

I believe the transition was made in 1977, not long after the 9600s arrived. If my memory serves me, most, but not all of the 3300s were retired during 1976 --- before the ones operating in Evanston were withdrawn from service.

Some were sold. The former 3314, repainted brown and cream, operated for a few years as the Loop shuttle for the Outer Drive East Condo Association. (400 E. Randolph). I believe Illinois Bell Telephone purchased a few as well.

A small number remained in service for another year or two, assigned to Kedzie. The three "L-ephant" buses (3433-3435) were among those that were kept running, but I can't remember whether they stayed at Limits or migrated to Kedzie.

[trainman8119]

Thanks. Do you or anyone else have any pictures of any of these? I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone inquire about these.

Here is a pic of CTA 2 in Evanston. It would have been of the 800 series, since there is an a/c unit on the back. From Bus-Rosters.com.

[Busjack]

Here is a pic of CTA 2 in Evanston. It would have been of the 800 series, since there is an a/c unit on the back. From Bus-Rosters.com.

That's a good picture (also shows the Sherman-Davis parking garage, which is now gone.)

How did you get it? The bus-rosters.com url doesn't seem to work.

[trainman8119]

That's a good picture (also shows the Sherman-Davis parking garage, which is now gone.)

How did you get it? The bus-rosters.com url doesn't seem to work.

It's been awhile, I don't really remember how I got it. I think I followed a link one day into a chat room and found the link and clicked on. I have tried googling and have had no luck...so I guess for now it is gone, or at least unavailable. My initial reaction when I saw the post looking for pics was that I had one (of bus 2), but couldn't remember where I got it...until I opened up the pic and looked real close.

[Guest]

Where in Joliet? I would love to take a ride there to see some old equipment.

Route 53 near Caton Farm Rd. at the EJ&E railroad overpass.

[Guest]

Here is a pic of CTA 2 in Evanston. It would have been of the 800 series, since there is an a/c unit on the back. From Bus-Rosters.com.

This is definitely one of the old 800s, I rememeber these buses, I used to see them along the #9 Ashland route back in the 70s, never rode one though. I do remember riding the 300s to downtown, as well as #301 out of FG back in high school.

[Busjack]

I do remember riding the 300s to downtown, as well as #301 out of FG back in high school.

So, you were the one riding on the bumper of one in Cooley High. :D

[Guest]

So, you were the one riding on the bumper of one in Cooley High.

I wish I couldve been the driver of the bus in Cooley High! :)

[ibebobo]

Here is a pic of CTA 2 in Evanston. It would have been of the 800 series, since there is an a/c unit on the back. From Bus-Rosters.com.

That is GREAT!!! Thank you very much. I remember seeing #1 in what may have been a junkyard on the east side of 294 somewhere down south of the airport. You could barely see it and I still look for it whenever I drive that way. Of course I will probably never see it again!

[jajuan]

Here is a pic of CTA 2 in Evanston. It would have been of the 800 series, since there is an a/c unit on the back. From Bus-Rosters.com.

It's interesting how the roller sign shows '201 Evanston via Central/Sherman'. It's definitely different from how the old roller signs showed route number and route name in larger print with the destination to the far right in smaller print.

[wordguy]

That is GREAT!!! Thank you very much. I remember seeing #1 in what may have been a junkyard on the east side of 294 somewhere down south of the airport. You could barely see it and I still look for it whenever I drive that way. Of course I will probably never see it again!

I believe that 1-5 regained their original identities as 800-804 following their stint in Evanston. They were then reassigned to 69th Street. Maybe the former 800 DIDN'T make the cut and was retired still displaying #1, I don't know.

I've driven by that junkyard visible from 294 too, but with the speed of traffic, have never been able to identify an individual bus by its number. Then again, your eyesight might be better than mine.

[Guest]

I believe that 1-5 regained their original identities as 800-804 following their stint in Evanston. They were then reassigned to 69th Street. Maybe the former 800 DIDN'T make the cut and was retired still displaying #1, I don't know.

I've driven by that junkyard visible from 294 too, but with the speed of traffic, have never been able to identify an individual bus by its number. Then again, your eyesight might be better than mine.

Are those buses still there today? If so, where exactly?

[ibebobo]

Here is a pic of CTA 2 in Evanston. It would have been of the 800 series, since there is an a/c unit on the back. From Bus-Rosters.com.

I'm not sure who is in charge of this web site but is it possible that this pic is added somewhere? I'm sure there are a lot of people who would enjoy seeing this who may not be aware of this thread.

Thanks!

[ibebobo]

I believe that 1-5 regained their original identities as 800-804 following their stint in Evanston. They were then reassigned to 69th Street. Maybe the former 800 DIDN'T make the cut and was retired still displaying #1, I don't know.

I've driven by that junkyard visible from 294 too, but with the speed of traffic, have never been able to identify an individual bus by its number. Then again, your eyesight might be better than mine.

Well, this was 20 years ago when I still had good eyesight! I have not seen that junkyard in awhile. I think there are barriers up now preventing anyone from seeing it but I could be wrong.