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Chicago Transit Authority
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What traction fan doesn't know about Chicago? The streetcars are long gone from the streets, but there is still
plenty of rail action on the Subways, Elevated and Rapid Transit lines.
While the equipment is newer, many of the "L" routes and structures are over 100 years old, and the subways
date back to the 1950's.
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HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Oct. 1, 1947 - Chicago becomes one of the first city
owned transit systems when the Chicago Transit
Authority begins service after buying privately owned
Chicago Surface Lines and Chicago Rapid Transit.
Sept. 17, 1950 - The first of 770 all-metal Rapid
Transit cars built by St. Louis Car Co. (1-50 and
6001-6720) are placed in service.
Feb. 25, 1951 - Dearborn subway opens
May 30, 1954 - The last of the red streetcars are
replaced by buses.
July 3, 1957 - Chicago, Aurora & Elgin interurban
service abruptly ends. Trains used "L" tracks to reach
Loop.
June 21, 1958 - The last streetcar in regular service,
Green Hornet PCC 7213 on Wentworth.
June 22, 1958 - First Rapid Transit operation in
median of expressway on Congress, (later
Eisenhower)
Jan. 21, 1963 - The Chicago, North Shore &
Milwaukee ends all interurban service. Trains used
"L" tracks to reach the Loop.
April 20, 1964 - Skokie Swift begins operations on
former CNS&M right-of-way from Howard Ave. to
Dempster Street.
June 15, 1964 - First of 180 air-conditioned Rapid
Transit cars placed in service (2000-2180).
Sept. 28, 1969 - Service begins on the Dan Ryan
expressway with 150 new cars (2201-2352).
Feb. 1, 1970 - Service begins on Kennedy Rapid
Transit from Logan Square to Jefferson Park.
Nov. 8, 1973 - Evanston Rapid Transit is converted
from overhead wire to third rail, allowing retirement of
the remaining 4000 series cars, which were over 50
years old.
Oct. 6, 1976 - The first of 200 new sliding door rapid
transit cars (2401-2600) enter service.
Feb, 27, 1983 - Service begins on O'Hare Rapid
Transit extension from Jefferson Park to River Road.
Sept. 3, 1984 - O'Hare Rapid Transit completed from
River Road into airport terminal.
Aug. 27, 1992 - First of 256 Rapid Transit cars
(3201-3457) equiped for one-man operation are placed
in service.
Oct. 31, 1993 - The new Orange Line Rapid Transit
opens to Midway Airport.
Oct, 12, 1997 - CTA celebrates 100th anniversary of
Loop "L" service.
2005 - Overhead wire comes down and Skokie Swift
converted to third-rail. Catenary was remnant of
North Shore Line operation.
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Most older fans fondly recall the 4000's.
Built in the 1920's, they served the system well,
carrying thousands of riders into the 1970's.
Open windows, flip-over leather seats and
thumping air compressors gave them a life and
personality not found in modern cars.
Trolley pole operation on the Evanston line was
an added bonus.
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Newer fans know little of the 4000's and earlier
cars, unless they see and ride them at a trolley
museum. To them, and present day commuters,
the CTA is modern, air-conditioned cars.
Recent renovations of the cars have made the
entire front end a cab, which eliminates the
"railfan's seat".
But, all things considered, a ride on one of the
many lines can still be an interesting experience.
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