Earlier CTA paint schemes

[jajuan]

I was just taking a look at the 7000 series articulated section and saw mention of 7013 being a testbed for an earlier bus paint scheme similar to the charcoal paint scheme of the 2600 series railcars before they were rebuilt. I seem to remember seeing a GMC fish bowl sporting this scheme as well when I was a kid. Are there any members who lived in Chicago roughly 25 years ago who can tell me if my memory is correct? Childhood memories can be really faulty with the passage of time?

[Guest]

I was just taking a look at the 7000 series articulated section and saw mention of 7013 being a testbed for an earlier bus paint scheme similar to the charcoal paint scheme of the 2600 series railcars before they were rebuilt. I seem to remember seeing a GMC fish bowl sporting this scheme as well when I was a kid. Are there any members who lived in Chicago roughly 25 years ago who can tell me if my memory is correct? Childhood memories can be really faulty with the passage of time?

You are correct! What you saw was the Bicentennial paint scheme from 1976 commemorating our nations 200th birthday. The special paint scheme which later became the scheme adapted by the 2400 and 2600 series rapid transit cars were also applied to the 6000 series cars and the 5000 Series Articulated cars also sported the new livery. Some of CTAs GMC and Flxible New look buses were painted in these colors. Chicago ave. Bus Operations Training Ctr. has nice pics on their walls of the bicentennial vehicles.

[Busjack]

The pictures of 7903 at busdrawings.com illustrate the Bicentennial scheme. Note that unlike that on 7013 and the 2600s, the red white and blue stripes cover most of the lower body area, not just the belt. The 2400s originally had something similar, except the upsweep at the cab window took a right angle turn, instead of up at an angle.

I also noted on his home page a picture of a Calgary EZ Rider, which was similar to, but different from, a Pace one. This seems to reinforce that most white buses are delivered that way, and the decorations are decals. Obviously, painted buses, such as the Pace 2600s are different.

In addition to the buses and cars mentioned by 5750, the scheme was on a couple of 2000s renumbered 1776, the Skokie Swift articulateds (52 was renumbered '75), and some single units. The experimental MAN articulated touring the country at the time was also repainted by CTA in that scheme.

[jajuan]

The pictures of 7903 at busdrawings.com illustrate the Bicentennial scheme. Note that unlike that on 7013 and the 2600s, the red white and blue stripes cover most of the lower body area, not just the belt. The 2400s originally had something similar, except the upsweep at the cab window took a right angle turn, instead of up at an angle.

I also noted on his home page a picture of a Calgary EZ Rider, which was similar to, but different from, a Pace one. This seems to reinforce that most white buses are delivered that way, and the decorations are decals. Obviously, painted buses, such as the Pace 2600s are different.

In addition to the buses and cars mentioned by 5750, the scheme was on a couple of 2000s renumbered 1776, the Skokie Swift articulateds (52 was renumbered '75), and some single units. The experimental MAN articulated touring the country at the time was also repainted by CTA in that scheme.

Thanks for the link to the pics. I thought I remembered seeing this bus so many years ago as a child. I had been racking my brain wondering if I remembered right even before seeing mention of 7013 in the buses section. It's also cool to see how different State Street looked back in 1970s. It brings back memories of places I'd seen as a five and six year old child that are no longer here today now that I'm in my early thirties.

[mikeymc77]

Was there a group of buses from the old Beverly garage that had different green paint schemes. I think they were GMC Fishbowls with numbers in the high 7700s. I think one was involved in accident with a train somewhere on Vincennes. Anyone remember the buses or the accident

[Busjack]

There were some New Looks from Beverly that were repainted because the RTA wanted to see alternative schemes for the suburban buses it was going to purchase. However, I don't believe that any of the schemes resulted in the one used on the 8000s. Also, since Beverly buses were confined to the far south and southwest sides, it would be hard to see any of them on a casual basis. Hence, I remember that it happened, but other than having a vague recollection of a maroon bus, can't say what the schemes were.

[mikeymc77]

I dont think they were maroon. I thought they were similar to the high 9400s and low 9500s that came out later

[Busjack]

I dont think they were maroon. I thought they were similar to the high 9400s and low 9500s that came out later

All buses from 9000-9799 were originally painted the same (and about the same as the 1000s and 7400s, although the CTA decals differed). Some buses (I remember 9200s or so from Limits; there is one at busdrawings.com) were repainted in a style similar to the later original paint scheme on the articulateds, D901s and the 4000s. That might have happened at other garages, too, but I have no knowledge of that.

However, the repainting to which I referred was specifically for the RTA and was specifically not in CTA colors (at least on the belt and the upsweep near the front). This is supported by Krambles and Peterson, CTA at 45, page 112, caption: "RTA immediately initiated bus replacement. CTA assisted, painting three of its new GMC model 5307 buses in varying livery..." Those were from Beverly.

[trainman8119]

All buses from 9000-9799 were originally painted the same (and about the same as the 1000s and 7400s, although the CTA decals differed). Some buses (I remember 9200s or so from Limits; there is one at busdrawings.com) were repainted in a style similar to the later original paint scheme on the articulateds, D901s and the 4000s. That might have happened at other garages, too, but I have no knowledge of that.

However, the repainting to which I referred was specifically for the RTA and was specifically not in CTA colors (at least on the belt and the upsweep near the front). This is supported by Krambles and Peterson, CTA at 45, page 112, caption: "RTA immediately initiated bus replacement. CTA assisted, painting three of its new GMC model 5307 buses in varying livery..." Those were from Beverly.

I will respectfully disagree with some of this. All buses of that series were not originally painted the same. Using "CTA at 45" as confirmation (same caption reference above),"...and even having 86 that might be loaned to RTA of a new 600 bus order for itself delivered in 'albino' paint scheme (middle bus). Some of these coaches were actually used in suburban service until RTA could acquire its own GMC 4523 "pumpkin" buses (front)".

The bus order noted was the first of the 9000 series buses (9000-9599). Buses numbered 9454-9539 (or so) were painted in the albino paint and when delivered were used at West Towns Bus, now Pace West Division and were numbered in the 454-539. When the Pumpkin buses were delivered to RTA, those buses had a "9" added to the number and went to CTA, assigned to Forest Glen, not Beverly.

[Danielsmusic]

On the subject of the CTA New Look paint schemes, does anyone have details about which buses recieved the paint scheme like the MANs and Flyers? I remember both schemes, but can't figure out which buses had each.

[Guest]

On the subject of the CTA New Look paint schemes, does anyone have details about which buses recieved the paint scheme like the MANs and Flyers? I remember both schemes, but can't figure out which buses had each.

There werent many CTA GMs painted in that scheme the two tone that was applied to the Flyer and MANs. Being a lifelong NW sider the one bus I remember was GM #9492 out of FG. Also Flxible # 131 a former 3300 series Flx was also painted in that livery after it was converted. I believe that bus still sits at FG.

[Busjack]

I will respectfully disagree with some of this. All buses of that series were not originally painted the same. Using "CTA at 45" as confirmation (same caption reference above),"...and even having 86 that might be loaned to RTA of a new 600 bus order for itself delivered in 'albino' paint scheme (middle bus).

Knew about it, but had a slight brain cramp on the albinos. In fact, I was going to add that Beverly buses and the albino ones almost never got downtown (as 56 usually used 1100-1200s at that time). I did see albinos on other FG routes, primarily 84.

[Guest]

I wonder what CTAs 300 series GM New Looks would look in the current color scheme if they were still in service today. What would # 301 look like if CTA chose to repaint it?.

[Busjack]

I wonder what CTAs 300 series GM New Looks would look in the current color scheme if they were still in service today. What would # 301 look like if CTA chose to repaint it?.

Probably the same as the 9000s that survived into the mid 1990s. Having cited Krambles' book several times today, there are pictures of the former and latter (the white ones at the Roadeo).

[jajuan]

There werent many CTA GMs painted in that scheme the two tone that was applied to the Flyer and MANs. Being a lifelong NW sider the one bus I remember was GM #9492 out of FG. Also Flxible # 131 a former 3300 series Flx was also painted in that livery after it was converted. I believe that bus still sits at FG.

While on the subject of these particular GMs, I remember the inside having a darker shade of brown around the the front portion than in the other fishbowls.

[BusHunter]

Was there a group of buses from the old Beverly garage that had different green paint schemes. I think they were GMC Fishbowls with numbers in the high 7700s. I think one was involved in accident with a train somewhere on Vincennes. Anyone remember the buses or the accident

I have a picture from a bus magazine that shows all three of these 7700's in question. They are #7776 in two-tone green, pretty much the CTA scheme back then, #7819 which was in turquoise and green, and #7797 in orange and green. The picture dates to July 15th, 1975. The picture is black and white (bummer) so you can't really make out the colors other than what it says in the caption for the picture.