CTA Bus Stop sign information


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CTA Bus Stop sign information
Posted by: Rustymuscle ()
Date: April 09, 2011 02:33PM

Hello,

I recently picked up this CTA bus stop sign on Ebay. It was the type that was mounted on a pole secured to the sidewalk. I was wondering...

...if someone might have a photo of one in use? And an approximate date of usage?

...if someone might have information on the actual, original color scheme? In cleaning the sign up a bit before restoring, I see what appears to be original red paint on the background and over the raised "BUS STOP" letters(primer coat?), green paint on the background over the red, and green paint residue over the CTA circular logo. I have a hunch the circular CTA logo may have been in original service in the unpainted natural silver color and repainted in the CTA green color, but it is hard to tell.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

RM

BTW, can someone tell me why there is such a gap between my message and the photo? Can't figure out how to fix.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/52922702@N03/5603532400/] [/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/52922702@N03/5603532400/]ctasign[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/52922702@N03/]Rustymuscle[/url], on Flickr



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 04/09/2011 02:37PM by Rustymuscle.

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Re: CTA Bus Stop sign information
Posted by: backwardk4501 ()
Date: April 09, 2011 09:52PM

Was that photo on a car related website a couple of months back? I see, to remember someone finding it with a bunch of other stuff and the finder was unsure what it was all about (until someone chimed in and told him what CTA stood for).....then I saw it on Ebay, but forgot to bid on it before it went off.

Sorry I can't help any further...I'll go through my photos to see if I can at least find this type of sign in the background.

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Re: CTA Bus Stop sign information
Posted by: Rustymuscle ()
Date: April 10, 2011 12:26AM

I think I solved the issue and uncovered a really old sign. I didn't see it anywhere but on Ebay.

I noted the CTA logo was an applique. And, I found a photo of the same sign, but for Chicago Surface Lines Bus Stop. So, I carefully drilled the rivets holding the applique and uncovered the orignal CSL logo. It is the same sign as this one at the Illinois Railway Museum. This confirms the red background. However, it appears the CSL logo was painted silver and not white.

It also makes sense why this is an extremely heavy cast iron as it is from much earlier than the 1950s. I was quite pleased when I got the sign, but am now almost in shock as to it's original CSL origin. Can't wait to refinish and display! I'd still like to see an original photo of one in place if someone has one. Again, thanks.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/52922702@N03/5604948828/] [/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/52922702@N03/5604948828/]3648470521_ce31af63bd_b[1][/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/52922702@N03/]Rustymuscle[/url], on Flickr

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Re: CTA Bus Stop sign information
Posted by: Chipast ()
Date: April 10, 2011 02:30AM

Probably as early as 1947, When CTA was founded, Taking over a more private enterprise Chicago Surface Lines. The more square shaped ones came probably in the late 1950's or early 1960's.

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Re: CTA Bus Stop sign information
Posted by: kgamb ()
Date: April 16, 2011 12:31AM

Rustymuscle, what an interesting find! So much fun to uncover the original logo too! Thanks for sharing this.

Kelley

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Re: CTA Bus Stop sign information
Posted by: SuperCFL ()
Date: December 06, 2011 01:03PM

If you still have the aluminum overlays, hang on to them and keep them with the sign! Those CSL cast signs are extremely rare as it is (I know of only one other one out there that's not in a museum...because I used to own it) and I know of *no* others that exist today with the CTA overlays.

A friend remembered seeing one at a CTA bus turnaround at about Roosevelt and Central ages ago, painted green like yours was.

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Re: CTA Bus Stop sign information
Posted by: Rustymuscle ()
Date: December 06, 2011 10:48PM

SuperCFL, thanks for the information! I've had some luck finding some photos of the signs in place, the most recent on the FC facebook page, taken at 61st and Cicero.

One of the best photos of the sign was from my wife's friend's facebook page. A photo of her when she was young and there is the sign! Interestngly, this sign has the CTA aluminum overlay over the CSL raised logo.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/52922702@N03/6469126861/] [/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/52922702@N03/6469126861/]ctasign[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/52922702@N03/]Rustymuscle[/url], on Flickr

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