Chicago 'L' rolling stock
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The rolling stock of the Chicago 'L' heavy rail system consists of 1190 train cars (all permanently coupled into 595 married pairs) dating from 1969, delivered in four series. Presently, all train cars operating on the Chicago 'L' are DC power only; the next shipment of train cars will feature native AC motors, but will operate on DC power with in-car converters.
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[edit] 2200 series
The 2200 series of train cars (numbered 2201 to 2352) was manufactured by the Budd Company and first delivered to the Chicago Transit Authority in 1969. 150 were ordered, and all delivered in 1969. These cars, the oldest still in revenue service on the 'L', are most striking to the casual observer by the "blinker door" configuration, in which the doors to the train open inward into the car rather than slide horizontally. These doors, which have a much narrower opening than the newer sliding doors, are unable to accommodate a wheelchair. Because of this, all 2200 series trains in the system must be coupled with another married pair of a different series car, usually the 2600 series, in order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
The 2200 series also features corrugated, unpainted stainless steel sides, a unique feature in the rolling stock until the addition of the 3200 series.
The 2200 series currently operates solely on the Blue and Pink Lines. The CTA plans to replace all these cars with newer train cars in the very near future.
[edit] 2400 series
The 2400 series of train cars (numbered 2401 to 2600) was manufactured by Boeing-Vertol and first delivered to the CTA in 1976. 100 were ordered originally (delivered in 1976), with an option for an addition 100 (which was exercised, and the additional cars delivered in 1978). Presently, the cars are reaching the end of their expected service lifetimes and are to be replaced with the 5000 series in 2010.
The first cars for the 'L' in many decades to feature sliding rather than "blinker" doors, the 2400 series also features smooth steel exteriors, ideal for paint and, in many cases, advertisements. The current color scheme leaves the cars unpainted entirely, though many do feature advertising, and cars 2401–2422 are "work" cars that feature red and white striping on the front on rear on the cars. The cars delivered in 1976 also feature a red, white, and blue color scheme on the front and rear of the cars, though these are scheduled to be removed, and painted gray to match the rest of the plain stainless steel motif. UPDATE: As of late March, 2007, all but four of these cars have been stripped of their red, white, and blue color scheme (on both the side and the ends.)
In the 1990s, the 2400 series cars were used on the Red Line in mixed consists with unrefurbished 2600 series cars. While the 2600 series cars were being rehabbed, the 2400 series cars were used prominently on the Red Line. Today, however, this series comprises the rolling stock for the Green Line, as well as some cars for the Purple Line.
[edit] 2600 series
The 2600 series of train cars (numbered 2601 to 3200) was manufactured by the Budd Company, the same company that made the 2200 series, and first delivered to the CTA in 1981. Originally, an order was made for 300 cars, but eventually this was doubled to 600, all of which were delivered between 1981 and 1987. With 596 active cars, the series is by far the most abundant in the 'L' rolling stock. They were rehabbed by Alstom beginning in 1998, and ending a year early in 2002. They have few features to differentiate them from the earlier 2400 series, but nevertheless remain a mainstay of the 'L' and are not expected to be retired until beginning in, at the earliest, 2013.
These cars, the last train cars ever manufactured by the Budd Company (later renamed to "TransitAmerica"), can be found on the Red Line (which contains only 2600s), as well as the Blue, Purple, and Pink Lines.
[edit] 3200 series
The 3200 series of train cars (numbered 3201 to 3458) was manufactured by Morrison-Knudsen, and first delivered to the CTA in 1992. The original order for 256 was motivated primarily by the impending opening of the Orange Line, which would need new cars when it opened. The order was completed in 1994.
The newest cars of the CTA fleet, the 3200 series contains many innovations over the previous 2600 series. Computers control much of the cab functions and simplify operation for the motorman. Diagnostics are also easier to perform on this series than on previous series. In addition, corrugated steel siding is included on these cars for the first time since the 2200 series, in order to reduce graffiti. The series also introduced openable hopper windows for use in case of air conditioner failure.
The 3200 series can be seen on the Orange, Brown, and Yellow Lines. The cars on the Yellow Line were formerly equipped with pantographs, but these were removed when that line converted to third rail power. Within the past few months, due to confusion at the Howard yard and construction on the track between the Armitage and Belmont stations, 3200 series cars have been used on the Purple Line.
[edit] 5000 series
The next series of rail cars, expected to replace the 2200 and 2400 series, is tentatively called the 5000 series, which is described in a Rail Operations Report to the CTA Board. The series will be built by Bombardier, and the CTA expects to receive prototypes in 2008 and take delivery of the production cars starting in 2010. The order is for 406 cars, with options for up to 300 more.
[edit] References
- CTA Car Assignments. Chicago-l.org. Retrieved on 2007-01-31.
- 2200 series Cars. Chicago-l.org. Retrieved on 2007-01-31.
- 2400 series Cars. Chicago-l.org. Retrieved on 2007-01-31.
- 2600 series Cars. Chicago-l.org. Retrieved on 2007-01-31.
- 3200 series Cars. Chicago-l.org. Retrieved on 2007-01-31.
- Frequently asked questions #4.10. Chicago-l.org. Retrieved on 2007-01-31.
- CTA Selects Manufacturer for New Rail Cars. Chicago Transit Authority (2006-05-10). Retrieved on 2007-01-31.
