TDH-3501

General Motors once made transit buses and lots of them too. In the 1940s-1980s period they were a dominate player and at times appeared to literally own the market. Their “New Look” model is perhaps most iconic of all and we’ve chatted about them before at this website, but today we’ll be looking an earlier series, this example an unimaginatively named TDH-3501.

You’ll hear bus aficionados call them “Old Looks”, explained in a moment and we’ll decipher that TDH jargon as well.

GM Old Look buses were made across a number of models of varying lengths (25-41 feet or 7.6-12.6m), capacities (27-55 seats) and drivetrains, but otherwise all shared a strong family resemblance. First introduced by Yellow Coach starting in 1940, they remained in continuous production until 1969.

GM acquired Yellow Coach soon after Old Look production started and together close to forty thousand were made. Only shorter length versions (for feeder or low capacity routes) were produced after the introduction of the successor New Look in 1959. This new model didn’t come in sizes below 35 feet (10.7m), at least for a while, so they needed something to offer till then. GM Old Looks were made at the firm’s Truck & Coach Division in Pontiac Michigan.

Ex-Calgary FD & before, Calgary Transit.

GM also made buses in Canada (General Motors Diesel Division, London Ontario), starting in 1961, but no Old Looks were produced here. Still, the factory acted as a sales agent for those sold in this country. GMDD instead concentrated on the New Look series (aka “Fishbowls”) and made them into about 1980-ish, with production then moving to a new plant in Quebec. To know more go here: The GMC Fishbowl.

Naming conventions: “The “Old Look” name is an unofficial retronym applied to this series of GM buses after the release of the GM New Look series.” This “now you know” moment comes thanks to our friends at Wikipedia. The General didn’t seem to have an official name for this line of buses (oddly) but we’ve seen T-Series mentioned in technical literature.

This particular bus worked for Calgary Transit starting in 1967 (bought new, as #317) and remained in service until 1980. By the time it was made, the only Old Look model offered was the second generation TXH-350X series. Equipped with a GM Toro-Flow diesel, this was the the most common drivetrain option at the time. The Toro-Flow sometimes gets a bad rap but perhaps not as unreliable as its reputation might suggest. We understand they can do fine with proper care and maybe a few prayers.

Earlier models often came with Detroit Diesel power plants and into the late 1950s, could be had with either manual or automatic transmissions. Then afterwards only autos were offered. Gas engines were an option too, the whole time, but were not big sellers. Late model Old Looks had a standard spring suspension verses the the softer ride air version offered before and this done as a cost cutting measure. Most transit systems were underfunded and had to do things on the cheap.

TDH-3501 decoded: T=Transit, D=Diesel, H=Hydraulic (Automatic) Transmission, 35=Seating Capacity (and so 30 feet or 9m in length) and finally; 01=series. Late model examples were offered with few frills (AC was one option) and marketed as a low cost feeder bus. Based on a well a proven design, and economical to purchase, it was just what the market needed. Still, most Old Looks were produced before the introduction of the New Look.

In 1969, GM offered a shrunken New Look to fill the feeder-bus market but never became a big seller and never made in the Canadian factory. Still, a few operators here purchased some and here’s one formerly of Nelson BC: Baby Fishbowl.

On being retired, the Calgary Fire Department acquired the bus and painted it in the bold colours you see today. For a time that bright yellow was a thing for fire apparatus – something about it being more visible to motorists. Traditional red, interestingly, is again back for most departments.

Listed as a mobile command centre while working for the CFD it appears to have never functioned in that capacity. Maybe they had aspirations and gave up?. Instead they likely used it as a mobile shelter at emergency scenes and as a crew or evacuee transport.

In the late 1980s it got returned to Calgary Transit where it languished for the better part of a dozen years. Then it bounced around to a couple museums and during that time made road-worthy again for the first time in decades (we understand it took minimal work to get it running). It’s now in the hands a bus collector Steve Parkin who we’ve bumped into before, many years back and who showed us an earlier bus he owned. This one, linked earlier: Baby Fishbowl.

Our subject is in fairly original condition and good mechanical shape overall. But that colour!…says the guy who has the brightest yellow jacket on the planet. Steve hopes to repaint his new wheels into old school Calgary Transit colours. In the meantime, there’s a real joy in cruising around with friends or dropping by car shows. Funny, he works in the transit business and for fun, drives a bus. Once you get the bug, there’s no turning back I guess, and it becomes all consuming.

The Red Deer Airport, south of town in Springbrook, is our shooting location. Formerly a military base (Royal Canadian Air Force Base Penhold – in reference to a nearby community) there’s lot of old buildings, barracks and the like, still standing from the old days. With lots of character and a great reminder of the past, it made for a great backdrop. We captured more photos here after everyone left and they’re quite interesting too: Smoky Times @ Red Deer Airport.

We heard the bus coming long before it arrived. It’s a noisy one at times and I guess a bit of a rough rider too, on talking with some of Steve’s friends who were along for the adventure. It’s likewise none too quick on the highway and we understand caused a bit of a backup on the way in. It was deigned for slower urban environments and while the distance between Red Deer and Springbrook is not great, it got pushed hard. The needle pegs at about 80kmh but it’s best not to leave it there too long.

The hazy sky seen comes from out of province forest fires. That nuclear sun – amazing – but one can help worry about the well being of those close to the action. The world’s burning, it’s an apocalyptic setting and while visually impressive, it’s also sobering.

Some of the angles present us with a timeless scene – old bus, old building and nothing to suggest it’s present day.

Red Deer Transit drops by the airport and the surrounding community of Springbrook now and then. Or rather did and by our publication date the service was no longer offered due to low ridership and funding shortfalls. We could see the driver give us a double take.

While the bus looped around a couple times, we ran about as though crazy and snapped away. Locals looked at us funny, but we’re used to that. We were like little kids and while your author does not recall riding any Old Look buses back when, it’s possible it happened. Keeping tabs on stuff like that was not something important to a teenager then – pinball was. Now it’s buses and pinball…and the outdoors and abandoned stuff and trains…and Bolers…and…

It’s a GM TDH-3501 from the 1960s.

As they drive away it’s a Hail-Mary pan shot that worked. Totally lucked out there.

GM sold off the bus business in both the US and Canada during 1987 but what a legacy they left behind. There’s the legendary New Look, the replacement Classic, the unloved RTS (in the US mostly), Suburban Highway buses and of course the one that started it all for the firm, the Old Look. This one’s put on a million miles, hauled a million people and now in retirement, it’s time for a little fun like you see in the photos. Silly little fun.

Further reading (new window): GM Old Look Bus.

Stay tuned as there’s new content always being posted, and it’s awesome!

They’re saying…

”Fantastic detail and in depth coverage of history….great work…much appreciated by those who follow.” Rob Graz.

More buses!
Old Metal Sandon BC – Trolley Bus Overload!
The Big Red Bus – Come ride along!
They Live: Calgary Transit GMC Fishbowls in 2013 – The last holdouts.

If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!

Date: September, 2020.
Location: Red Deer Airport at Springbrook, AB.
Article references and thanks: Steve Parkin, Calgary Fire Department and the Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board (CPTDB Wiki).

We’re at the Red Deer Alberta Airport.

Let’s take it for a spin!

Made by the GM Truck & Coach Division.

This design goes back to the the 1940s.

Haze comes from out of province forest fires.

The little details.

Red Deer Transit makes an appearance.

This site was once RCAF Station Penhold.

That nuclear sun.

“Old Look” buses were made by the tens of thousands.

A timeless scene.

We had them loop around while we snapped away.

The bus belongs to collector Steve Parkin.

We were like little kids on seeing it round the corner.

It last worked for Calgary Transit in 1980.

A Hail-Mary shot that worked.

And a smoky goodbye…