| 1960-69 EQUIPMENT PHOTOS (Page 3) |
| WE HOPE YOU'VE ENJOYED OUR 1960'S DSR EQUIPMENT PHOTOS |
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© 2006-2008 (PAGE LAST MODIFIED ON 11-08-09)
GMC "NEW-LOOK" – MODEL T6H-5305 (Cont.)
| FORMER DSR 1960's GMC "NEW-LOOKS" REPAINTED UNDER THE D-DOT ERA |
| ATTENTION: The "DetroitTransitHistory.info" web-site is in need of additional photos of the DSR "new-look" model TDH-5305. These would include b-&-w and/or color photos of that series transit coach manufactured by General Motors Truck & Coach: The DSR #2600 and #2700 series — delivered in 1968 Of course photos of any additional DSR/DDOT new-look models (a.k.a. by some as "silver-sides" and "fishbowls") are also welcome. Any interior photos of these 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) |
Detroit D.S.R. (Department of Street Railways)
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| THE 1920's 1 2 3 |
| THE 1980's 1 2 3 |
| THE 1990's 1 2 3 |
| THE 2000's 1 2 3 |
| Another feature unique to the #2700-series "New-Looks" was the air-operated seat adjustment control feature located on the operator's seat. Unfortunately, many of the operators didn't like the continuous up-and-down motion the seats would give. The seats were eventually replaced. The above photo of coach #2779 was taken by "DSR-2-DOT" group member S. Sycko at the Highland Park Terminal back in October of 1968, shortly after the fleet was placed into service. [photo courtesy of the Stanley Sycko photo collection] |
| The above photo, taken in October of 1971, shows coach #2791 south along Woodward Avenue turning onto Jefferson Avenue while working the Mini-Loop #1 route in downtown Detroit. The #2700-series coaches were the last fleet of DSR buses purchased solely by the City of Detroit, and the last bus fleet purchased during the 1960's. The department's next fleet of coaches would be purchased through the regional transit authority SEMTA in 1971. [Gerald Squier photo, courtesy of the James Husing Collection — see disclaimer below] |
| Although the former Department of Street Railways (DSR) gave way to the Detroit Department of Transportation (D-DOT) in 1974, most of the GM "New-Looks" retained their former DSR colors well into the 1980's. Only a DDOT logo differentiated most coaches from the former DSR era. In this October 1981 photo, former DSR coach #2432—a GMC 1966 Model TDH-5303—is seen here preparing to enter its post-DDOT years operating in Bay City, MI. [photo courtesy of the Krambles-Peterson archive collection: Art Peterson photo] |
| On July 1, 1974, Detroit's Department of Street Railways (DSR) became the Detroit Department of Transportation (D-DOT). Shortly afterward, attempts were made to repaint a small number of the older GMC "New-Looks" to resemble the new DDOT paint scheme of white with black trimmed windows and green and yellow striping. In this photo, former DSR coach #2208—a GMC 1965 Model TDH-5303—can be seen sporting this short-lived DDOT livery. [H.B.Craig, II photo courtesy of the Schramm Collection] |
All Jim Husing Collection photos are posted with the permission of Mr. James Husing. Any distribution of photos for sale purposes is
prohibited.
prohibited.
| Shortly after DDOT accepted delivery of its new fleet of GMC RTS-II coaches beginning in May of 1978, the department began repainting a significant number of its buses—all patterned after the RTS horizontal yellow and green stripe design. Repainting of the fleet would continue well into the mid-80's when a number of its GM new-looks were rehabbed. In the above 1980 photo, former DSR coach #2314—a 1966 Model TDH-5303—can be seen sporting the new livery. [photo courtesy of the Krambles-Peterson archive collection: Art Peterson photo] |
| Later in 1968, the DSR received another fleet of T6H-5305's, but this fleet would be slightly different than the #2600-series delivered in June. On September 23, 1968, the DSR accepted delivery of an additional 100 coaches (#2701-2800) which were equipped with a few extra safety features. The #2700-series 5305's—at $29,506 apiece—came equipped with heated step wells to prevent ice and slush build-up, and new "push away" rear exit doors (a first for Detroit). In the above photo, brand new coach #2705 is parked for a DSR sponsored bus preview and was displayed on the Kern Block from October 4—16. Back in the day, it was a common practice for the DSR to display its new transit equipment to the public for close-up inspection. [photo courtesy of Tom's Trolleybus Pix-Detroit stuff, photo taken by Roberta Hill] |
| In the above photo from June 1981, rehabbed coach #2500R2 can also be seen sporting the new DDOT livery. Although numbered #2500, this coach actually belonged to the #2400-series fleet of 100 GM TDH-5303's purchased in 1966, numbered #2401-2500. The "R2" suffix stood for the second coach fleet rehabilitated by Blitz Corp. of Chicago during the early-1980s. The first fleet to be rehabbed were 72 TDH-5303's in 1979, which were later given the "R1" suffix. [photo courtesy of the Krambles-Peterson archive collection: Art Peterson photo] |
| (Click-on photo to view larger image) |
