| D.S.R. EQUIPMENT PHOTOS — 1960's |
| The transit vehicles displayed in this 1960's Gallery were purchased by the city-owned D.S.R. during the 1960's. Numerous fleets of GM "new-look" coaches were the primary vehicles purchased during that time. However, a small number of other makes also made their appearances as well — although one fleet of coaches didn't hang around too long. |
GM "NEW-LOOK" COACHES – MODEL TDH-5301
GM "NEW-LOOK" COACHES – MODEL TDH-5303
| ATTENTION: The "DetroitTransitHistory.info" web-site is in need of additional photos of the DSR "new-look" model TDH-5303. These would include b-&-w and/or color photos of any of the following series transit coaches manufactured by General Motors Truck & Coach: The #2300 (air-conditioned) series — delivered in 1966 * The #2400 and #2500 series — also delivered in 1966 Of course photos of any additional DSR/DDOT new-look models (a.k.a. by some as "silver-sides") are also welcome. Any interior photos of new-looks are needed as well. If you would like to share your photos on this web-site please contact the site-administrator at: detbusfan@detroittansithistory.info (proper credit source will be given to the photos if requested) |
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| BACK TO THE 1950'S |
The 1960's for the Detroit DSR was
definitely the decade of the GM
"new-look" coach, as 941 of these
newly designed GM diesels were put
into service between 1960 and
1968. These coaches sported their
green with cream and silver-sided
color scheme design throughout the
remaining DSR years. The last of
the GM new-look coaches survived
well into the DDOT years.
definitely the decade of the GM
"new-look" coach, as 941 of these
newly designed GM diesels were put
into service between 1960 and
1968. These coaches sported their
green with cream and silver-sided
color scheme design throughout the
remaining DSR years. The last of
the GM new-look coaches survived
well into the DDOT years.
| In a controversial 105 coach order in 1965, the DSR, for the first time since 1950, split an order and purchased coaches from another manufacturer — the Flxible Corp. Eighty-five (85) coaches from that order (#2201-2285), including #2237 in the above photo, went to General Motors. These #2200-series GM's were delivered beginning in September of 1965. This fleet of 5303's also allowed the DSR to retire the last of its post-war gasoline powered Twin Coach buses, which were purchased back in 1946 and 1947. [photo courtesy of Tom's Trolley Bus Pix —Detroit DSR-DOT stuff] |
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2006 (PAGE LAST MODIFIED ON 03-24-08)
| An additional eighty of the redesigned TDH-5303's (#2101-2180) were ordered in 1964, and began arriving that September. With these #2100-series GM's, the DSR would continue with its retirement of its post-war gasoline powered Twin coaches, and gradually begin retiring the first of the smaller-size GM "old-look" diesels that were delivered in 1945 and 1947. The last ten coaches (#2171-2180) came equipped with fiber seats, which used a perimeter seating type arrangement. The "CHARTERED" being displayed on the coach's sign curtain is reminiscent of the once lucrative Chartered Service Operation provided by the DSR. [photo courtesy of the Krambles-Peterson archive collection: GM Sebree photo] |
| Beginning in February of 1966, the DSR accepted the delivery of twenty (20) "air-conditioned" TDH-5303's (#2301-2320). These coaches first began service on a number of express bus routes, including the Grand River, Imperial, Jefferson and Gratiot Express routes. A few were even assigned for Gray Line Sightseeing Service. In this 1969 photo, series coach #2301 is seen dressed for Gray Line service and parked along Franklin street near Randolph. These #2300-series 5303's were the first DSR buses purchased using federal grant money from HUD. [photo courtesy of the Krambles-Peterson archive collection: GM Sebree photo] |
| In this 1969 photo, coach #2203 (one of eighty-five TDH-5303's purchased in 1965) is seen here eastbound along East Jefferson at Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit. Working the Jefferson line, the coach is headed for the Wayburn Loop, one block east of Alter Road. [photo courtesy of the Krambles-Peterson archive collection: GM Sebree photo] |
| In 1963, GM announced that it had made over 40 improvements to its transit coach, resulting in the next generation of "new-looks" — the model TDH-5303. To most, the only visual changes were the use of the bullet shaped marker lights that replaced the art deco squared lights on the previous model, but a number of engineering improvements were also made. In Detroit, the GM take-over of the system also continued with the new model, as fifty TDH-5303's (#2041-2090) were delivered in October of 1963. These fleets of 5303's allowed the DSR to begin retiring its post-war gasoline powered Twin coaches purchased during the late forties. In this 1969 photo, coach #2061 can be seen at the Wayburn Loop at the eastern end of the E. Jefferson line. [photo courtesy of the Krambles-Peterson archive collection: GM Sebree photo] |
| During the Summer of 1959, the DSR placed its first order for 50 of the newly designed GM diesel transit coaches. On January 22, 1960, the DSR accepted delivery of the first redesigned GM transit bus since 1940. Promoted as the GM "new-look" design coach, three-hundred (300) of these coaches – model TDH-5301 – were purchased by the DSR during that first year alone. Of the fifty coaches (#1601-1650) delivered that January, the first ten (#1601-1610) were air- conditioned (a Detroit first) and used primarily for Gray Line and Charter service. Coach #1632 (seen in photo posing at the DSR Highland Park Terminal) sports the rather plain looking DSR new-look paint scheme of green and cream with silver below the belt-line. The new-look coaches also ushered in the new slanted "DSR" green logo, used by the DSR through 1974. [site-owner's collection photo, courtesy of the Schramm photo collection] |
| Obviously, enthusiasm by DSR management for these new coaches was quite high. Upon the delivery of the first fifty, another 125 more "new-looks" were ordered immediately. Coach #1699 is representative of that second order (#1651-1775) which were delivered between June and July, 1960. An additional 125 TDH-5301's (#1776-1900) were delivered between October and November, 1960. With 300 "new-looks" now a part of the fleet, the DSR was able to retire its post-war fleet of White and Mack coaches purchased during the late forties. Upon the arrival of 80 more TDH-5301's (#1901-1980) in September and November of 1961, the DSR was able to replace the Twin Coach electric trolley-coaches on the Crosstown line. The last sixty model TDH-5301's (#1981-2040) delivered in November of 1962 coincided with the elimination of the St. Louis Car Co. built electric trackless trolley-coaches on the Grand River line. [GM Truck & Coach promotional photo courtesy of S. Sycko] |
| DSR coach #1896, was one of 125 TDH-5301's delivered in the Fall of 1960, and representative of the third "new-look"coach order for that year. In this 1968 photo, a rear view is visible as coach #1896 is eastbound at a DSR coach stop on Fort Street at Shelby in downtown Detroit. |