Your Favorite Retired Bus(es)

[sw4400]

In honor of the 59th anniversary of CTA(on the eve of it's 60th Anniversary come 2007), I thought I'd make this poll highlighting some of the buses of yesteryear.

I would have to choose the Flyer D901's as my favorite as I ridden them more than any other kind of retired bus, then would follow the GM(9600-9799) Series.  The M.A.N Americanas I only ridden once or twice.

[MetroShadow]

I'm a fan of the M.A.N. buses, and although I didn't see or enjoy the 1979 Artics, I did enjoy the 7100's and the Seattle series. The 1985 Americanas were just standard fleet, and I was used to it.

I only remember the fisbowls once or twice, and I kinda do miss them

[CTA 9537]

My favorite retired buses are the 9000-9599 series and 9600-9799 fishbowls. I rode those alot and miss them very much. My favorite one is 9537 it spent its last years at Lawndale garage and they ran it alot on 82 Kimball/homan when I lived on that route. It was a test bus for the 2-1 seating and had a diffrent paint scheme like the bricks. Kimball was a great route to see the great fishowls running in the early to mid 90s. My second favorites are the 7100 M.A.N. artics. I used to love riding those on the 147. I miss those buses the most.

[buslist]

Need an "other" catagory because for me if its a propane motor bus its a MACK C-49 7200 series, if its a diesel its a 1200 series ex CMC (1222 in particular) YELLOW COACH 4506, if its an ETB got to be a MARMON (fast, quiet, quick, and clean, If you haven't ridden one go to Union and get a sample and you'll curse George Krambles for getting rid of them ya ya ya inflexible etc but San Fran, Seattle, Vancouver etc all deal with it), for more modern buses always thought that the Flyers had some class but I'm a big Flex fan so both current series do it for me.

[trainman8119]

I miss the all of the fishbowls, but I'll vote for the first of the a/c fishbowls, the 1000 series. They were the first new buses that I could really remember. Technically all of the new looks were new in my lifetime, but being about 10-11 years old when the 1000's came to be they are the first I remember.

I remember a pic of 1023 making a turn downtown in the Sun-Times. The first new bus I saw with the then new livery was on the 85 Central route at Portage Park (Irving Pk Rd). I was in the park playing softball and saw it in the distance. I can remember the chill of excitement at that sight. 1232 was the first I rode on a September Sunday morning on Central from Belmont to Diversey. Buses with a/c. It was a novelty then...now it is expected. I still have the candy cardboard bus they gave out with green mints as wheels.

[MetroShadow]

Last memory of the 7100's was on my way to Payton High School Downtown...I was waiting on the corner of Bittersweet and Marine Drive one morning (2001 or early 2002), and all of a sudden, I see the last few 7100's on the 136/Sheridan Exp. I was happy that I actually got to ride one before it took off for good.

[sw4400]

Need an "other" catagory because for me if its a propane motor bus its a MACK C-49 7200 series, if its a diesel its a 1200 series ex CMC (1222 in particular) YELLOW COACH 4506,  if its an ETB got to be a MARMON (fast, quiet, quick, and clean, If you haven't ridden one go to Union and get  a sample and you'll curse George Krambles for getting rid of them  ya ya ya inflexible etc but San Fran, Seattle, Vancouver etc all deal with it), for more modern buses always thought that the Flyers had some class but I'm a big Flex fan so both current series do it for me.  

Forgive me, Buslist.  I presumed not many people would remember the classics past the GM Fishbowls(See note for 1965 Flxible New Look in poll).  But, for those who wish to mention other bus types, use the Flxible New Look choice, and follow it up with a post explaining your favorite(s).  I'll see if I can edit the poll, meanwhile.

I cannot edit it... Zolk, if you can, change 1965 Flxible New Look to "Other(Specify)".  Thanks... :D

[Buslover88]

Sorry for the very old post, but I remember the Americanas while they were on the verge of retiring...I only rode two in my lifetime...I rode one of #81W and one on #91, altough I remember seeing them on #82

[busfan4022]

Sorry for the very old post

Posting in VERY old topics is not a problem anymore. Someone posted in a year old topic the other day.

8D

Anyway I can only remeber the Americanas on the South Chicago route. Pretty good express buses. They were faster than the New Flyers 1000 series.

[kendo26]

While I'm old enough to remember and ride the fishbowl's they were never my favorites. I think the MAN Americana's were the best buses the CTA ever bought. Yes they didn't have air conditioning, but I don't see that as a minus. They had the best heat of any bus I've ever ridden.

[surfer22]

I had to chime in on this thread, for a lot of reasons.

I took 3 CTA buses a day from about 1988-1990... gage park area to Whitney Young... the number 52A, 62, and 9... oh those Ashland buses were terrible... the new MAN's pretty much just as bad as the New Look ones from the 70's...

I liked the '70's buses. I lived one block west of Kedzie... hearing distance from the 54th street bus stop. My bedroom window in the attic faced the Kedzie side. I think to this day I would be able to recognize the sound of a GM new look bus decelerating, making that hissing noise (was that the trans?) and picking up speed...

I won't try to write too much in one thread, but my grandpa was a train fare collector, then bus driver, then maintenance on Archer from about the end of world war ii to 1973ish...

[Guest]

I had to chime in on this thread, for a lot of reasons.

I took 3 CTA buses a day from about 1988-1990... gage park area to Whitney Young... the number 52A, 62, and 9... oh those Ashland buses were terrible... the new MAN's pretty much just as bad as the New Look ones from the 70's...

I liked the '70's buses. I lived one block west of Kedzie... hearing distance from the 54th street bus stop. My bedroom window in the attic faced the Kedzie side. I think to this day I would be able to recognize the sound of a GM new look bus decelerating, making that hissing noise (was that the trans?) and picking up speed...

I won't try to write too much in one thread, but my grandpa was a train fare collector, then bus driver, then maintenance on Archer from about the end of world war ii to 1973ish...

Were all fans of old CTA buses. If anyone can find the movie "Cooley High" You will see an appearance by a CTA 300 series (#388). Its about a two minute scene where a group of high school kids in the Lincoln Park area cut class and climb aboard the rear of old CTA bus # 388. You will see the old CTA logo where many of us may remember was placed under the drivers window. You will also see a quick shot of CTA GMC #1515 on the 70 Division route. Its an awesome scene, an old timer may probably even recognize the operator of the bus. I have the clip saved on a vhs tape. It is timeless!! For those of you who havent seen it, get it! Great bus scenes!

[jajuan]

I feel the need to chime in on this thread as well. My favorite retired bus model is the MAN Americana. These were excellent buses for the North Park and 103rd express runs. They definitely were fast and actually did hold up rather well while in service despite some negative memories from some who posted in this thread. They were actually still in good condition. It's just that the CTA started neglecting these buses as they were getting the NABIs put into service. Neglecting to touch up the paint or even washing them in some cases as they were all being transferred to North Park during their last months of service. I remember one being so dirty for six weeks straight that someone had apparently slipped into the garage and written out 'Wash me please' in the dirt that was caked on this bus.

[qwantae]

Were all fans of old CTA buses. If anyone can find the movie "Cooley High" You will see an appearance by a CTA 300 series (#388). Its about a two minute scene where a group of high school kids in the Lincoln Park area cut class and climb aboard the rear of old CTA bus # 388. You will see the old CTA logo where many of us may remember was placed under the drivers window. You will also see a quick shot of CTA GMC #1515 on the 70 Division route. Its an awesome scene, an old timer may probably even recognize the operator of the bus. I have the clip saved on a vhs tape. It is timeless!! For those of you who havent seen it, get it! Great bus scenes!

Wow, Cooley High is my favorite classic movie from 70s, I have a that on DVD. And I will choose MAN Americana/ Articulated as my favorite Retired buses along with GM Fishbowl. If you want to ride an Fishbowl, go to Toronto for TTC, they still running those rebuilt ones.

[The Don of All Buses]

Wow, Cooley High is my favorite classic movie from 70s, I have a that on DVD. And I will choose MAN Americana/ Articulated as my favorite Retired buses along with GM Fishbowl. If you want to ride an Fishbowl, go to Toronto for TTC, they still running those rebuilt ones.

I may not be from Chicago but I love CTA buses. My favorite retired bus would have to be the M.A.N. artics, the Bee-Line Transit System where I'm from used to have them. After the Neoplan AN 460s came in the M.A.N.s were all gone. I don't know if there is any other transit authority that still has any.

[RIPTA42]

You missed the MAN articulated trolleybuses in Seattle by just a couple of months...

[qwantae]

Wow, Cooley High is my favorite classic movie from 70s, I have a that on DVD. And I will choose MAN Americana/ Articulated as my favorite Retired buses along with GM Fishbowl. If you want to ride an Fishbowl, go to Toronto for TTC, they still running those rebuilt ones.

My favorite retired ones from CTA were definetly the M.A.N. Americanas, I've done the best I've can by camping out to catch a ride every last of them in 2003-4 even it was in the ten degree temperature. The last one I've rode was #4146 on 145- Michigan/ Wilson Exp. route and that one was way faster than 1000s, it ran up to 65mph on Lake Shore drive.

MAN Artics are my second favorites, they ride twice as better than 7500s Junk NABIs, The Seattle ones were great but I like the engine sound better on 7100s, and I remember rode

71-- on #14 Jeffery Exp. which it was the only one left since all other 7100s retired by the Seattles.

As for Seattle 7300s- the last one I've rode was on #6 Jackson Park Express right after I rode #147 Outer Drive on the same one which was #7411. Them both were the great looking, running buses, and I will never forget them. I even made the Americanas and Artics by Paperbus models- I have 20 of them with CTA and all other transit agencies that had them.

[Guest]

My favorite retired ones from CTA were definetly the M.A.N. Americanas, I've done the best I've can by camping out to catch a ride every last of them in 2003-4 even it was in the ten degree temperature. The last one I've rode was #4146 on 145- Michigan/ Wilson Exp. route and that one was way faster than 1000s, it ran up to 65mph on Lake Shore drive.

MAN Artics are my second favorites, they ride twice as better than 7500s Junk NABIs, The Seattle ones were great but I like the engine sound better on 7100s, and I remember rode

71-- on #14 Jeffery Exp. which it was the only one left since all other 7100s retired by the Seattles.

As for Seattle 7300s- the last one I've rode was on #6 Jackson Park Express right after I rode #147 Outer Drive on the same one which was #7411. Them both were the great looking, running buses, and I will never forget them. I even made the Americanas and Artics by Paperbus models- I have 20 of them with CTA and all other transit agencies that had them.

All CTA buses from 1950 until 1995 are my favorites. Theres no other way to say it! I especially enjoyed the 300 series GMCs I remember seeing the 400s with those loud diesels along Stockton Dr. through Lincoln Pk. back in the 70s. My most memorable are the 1400s GMCs I grew up riding those bus when my dad drove them out of the old North Ave. Garage. back in the 70s and 80s. I remember once when I was a kid seeing the 800s #804 on 9 Ashland SB at Cortland. I remember waiting for a NB Ashland bus, my mom and I were going to Wieboldts on Belmont and Ashland and we used to take the 9 Ashland all the time riding the 9000s GMCs.

[Busjack]

All CTA buses from 1950 until 1995 are my favorites. I remember once when I was a kid seeing the 800s #804 on 9 Ashland SB at Cortland. I remember waiting for a NB Ashland bus, my mom and I were going to Wieboldts on Belmont and Ashland and we used to take the 9 Ashland all the time riding the 9000s GMCs.

I lived near 55th from about 1968 to 1975, and rode some of the same buses you mentioned. You didn't mention the big green 5500s, which was the predominate bus on the 69th routes until 1974. By then they were pretty shot, but I remember the effect of them bouncing over the bad pavement in Washington Park (which never has been repaired) during the no bra days.

I preferred the occasion when one got an 8800, and those were apparently replaced by 100s, which were older and (being diesel buses) smelled worse. I was around for the year or so when the 7500s were there (and was shocked when I saw the first one on 55th), and the beginning of the 9000s.

Also, mentioning Wieboldts takes one back.

[Danielsmusic]

I always loved riding the Flyers and the MANs. But from a driver's standpoint, the MANs were a HUGE pain in the ass. The seats weren't adjustable, it was hard to see behind you, they didn't handle that well, and when it got dark you couldn't see any buttons and couldn't change any signs. The Flyers were fun, especially when they were on the 135/145. It was a blast to do those routes on a Flyer.

[Danielsmusic]

I even made the Americanas and Artics by Paperbus models- I have 20 of them with CTA and all other transit agencies that had them.

What's the website?