Umair Gaines
Chicago's rapid transit system, also known as the L, is the fourth-largest in the United States. It is also one of the world's first non-exhibition rapid transit systems to be powered by electric traction motors. The L gets its name from its elevated tracks, which were chosen over subways due to cost considerations. The system has been in operation since 1892, when it was steam-powered, but it quickly transitioned to electric power with the invention of the third-rail electrical power system in 1893. Today, the L covers 165.4 km with 1,480 rail cars operating across eight different routes. Chicago is not the only city with an electric train system, as electric trains are now standard on most rapid transit systems worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the train system | Chicago "L" (short for "elevated") |
| Operator | Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) |
| Total route length | 102.8 miles (165.4 km) long as of 2014 |
| Number of rail cars | 1,480 as of January 2024 |
| Number of routes | 8 |
| Track length | 224.1 miles |
| Number of trips per day | 1,888 |
| Number of train stations | 146 |
| Number of rides in 2024 | 127,463,400 |
| Number of rides in the first quarter of 2025 | 360,100 per weekday |
| Lines with 24-hour service | Red and Blue |
| Electricity provider | Commonwealth Edison or "ComEd" |
| Power | 600 volts direct current (DC) |
| Power transmission | Third rail systems |
| Number of substations | 50 |
| Ticket price for a single ride | $3 (or $5 if purchased at O'Hare Airport) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Chicago 'L' train history
The Chicago "L" (short for "elevated") is a rapid transit system serving the city of Chicago and some of its suburbs in Illinois. It is the fourth-largest rapid transit system in the United States in terms of total route length, at 102.8 miles (165.4 km) long as of 2014. The Chicago "L" gained its name from "el" because large parts of the system run on elevated track.
The first "L", the Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad, began its journey on June 6, 1892, when a steam locomotive pulling four wooden coaches, carrying more than two dozen people, departed from the 39th Street station and arrived at the Congress Street Terminal 14 minutes later. The tracks used by this train are still in use by the Green Line. Over the next year, the service was extended to 63rd Street and Stony Island Avenue and then to the Transportation Building of the World's Columbian Exposition in Jackson Park.
In 1893, trains began running on the Lake Street Elevated Railroad, and in 1895 on the Metropolitan West Side Elevated, which had lines to Douglas Park, Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, and Logan Square. The Metropolitan was the United States' first non-exhibition rapid transit system powered by electric traction motors. The technology used by this system was demonstrated in 1893 at the World's Columbian Exposition.
The Union Loop opened in 1897 and greatly increased the convenience of the rapid transit system. Operation on the Northwestern Elevated, which built the North Side "L" lines, began in 1900, essentially completing the elevated infrastructure in the urban core. After 1911, the "L" lines came under the control of Samuel Insull, president of the Chicago Edison electric utility, whose interest stemmed from the fact that the trains were the city's largest consumer of electricity. Insull made many improvements, including free transfers and through routing.
The "L" has undergone significant changes and expansions since the 1920s, including the State and Dearborn subway connections in the 1930s and 1940s, the creation of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) in 1945, and the extension to O'Hare and Midway airports. Today, the "L" provides 24-hour service on the Red and Blue Lines, making Chicago one of only three cities in the world to offer 24-hour train service on some of its lines.
Understanding Electric Potential and Its Distance Relationship
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Chicago 'L' electrification
The Chicago "L" (short for "elevated") is a rapid transit system serving the city of Chicago and some of its suburbs in Illinois. It is the fourth-largest rapid transit system in the United States in terms of route length, at 102.8 miles (165.4 km) long as of 2014. The "L" has been credited for fostering the growth of Chicago's dense city core, one of the city's most distinguishing features.
The Chicago "L" began operations in 1892, making it the second-oldest rapid transit system in the Americas, after New York City's elevated lines. The "L" gained its name because large parts of the system run on elevated tracks. Portions of the network are in subway tunnels, at grade level, or in open cuts. The first "L", the Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad, began revenue service on June 6, 1892, when a steam locomotive pulling four wooden coaches, carrying more than two dozen people, departed the 39th Street station and arrived at the Congress Street Terminal 14 minutes later. Over the next year, service was extended to 63rd Street and Stony Island Avenue, and then to the Transportation Building of the World's Columbian Exposition in Jackson Park.
In 1893, trains began running on the Lake Street Elevated Railroad, and in 1895 on the Metropolitan West Side Elevated, which had lines to Douglas Park, Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, and Logan Square. The Metropolitan was the United States' first non-exhibition rapid transit system powered by electric traction motors, a technology whose practicality had been demonstrated in 1893 at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Two years later, the South Side "L" introduced multiple-unit control, allowing the operator to control all the motorized cars in a train, not just the lead unit. Electrification and MU control remain standard features of most rapid transit systems today.
The "L" lines came under the control of Samuel Insull, president of the Chicago Edison electric utility, in 1911. Insull's interest stemmed from the fact that the trains were the city's largest consumer of electricity. He instituted many improvements, including free transfers and through routing, and bought three other Chicago electrified railroads: the Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad, Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad, and South Shore Line interurban lines. He ran the trains of the first two railroads into downtown Chicago via the "L" tracks.
Washing Your Electric Throw: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Chicago 'L' train nicknames
The rapid transit system serving Chicago and some of its suburbs in Illinois is officially nicknamed the "L". The name is short for "elevated" as the trains travel on tracks built above the street. The "L" nickname dates back to the earliest days of the elevated railroads in the 1880s, when newspapers referred to proposed elevated railroads in Chicago as "'L' roads". The first route, the Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad, was nicknamed the "Alley Elevated", or "Alley L" during its planning and construction and the use of the term "L" became widespread by 1893.
There is some variation in how the nickname is written, with some preferring "El" or "el". The "El" nickname has been used for over 100 years and was used by notable Chicago authors such as James T. Farrell and Nelson Algren. The "L" nickname is preferred by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) as the correct usage.
Some Chicago residents refer to the "L" when talking about the system as a whole, but most of the time they refer to the specific colour line they are taking, such as the "Red Line". Others refer to it simply as "the train", or "CTA".
Connecting an Accumulator to Your Electric Network: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Metra Electric District
The Metra Electric District is an electrified commuter rail line owned and operated by Metra. It connects Millennium Station (formerly Randolph Street Station) in downtown Chicago with the city's southern suburbs. The line is the fifth busiest of Metra's 11 lines, with nearly 7.7 million annual riders as of 2018.
The Metra Electric District has the best on-time performance of all Metra lines, averaging only one late train per month in 2014. Trains operate at a maximum speed of 65 miles per hour (105 km/h). However, work is currently underway to increase the maximum speed to 79 miles per hour (127 km/h), with the potential for even higher speeds of 90 miles per hour (140 km/h) in certain sections.
The Metra Electric is unique in several ways. It is the only Metra line powered by overhead lines and the only line with high-level platforms and level boarding. Additionally, it is the only line with three service branches, and it operates on 1,500 V DC. The main line north of Kensington/115th Street is shared with the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District's South Shore Line, an electric interurban line through northern Indiana to South Bend.
The Metra Electric District has a frequent service, with 131 trains operating on the line on weekdays as of August 2023. On Sundays and holidays, the schedule changes, with 12 round trips on the main line to University Park and 10 trains on the South Chicago branch. The Blue Island branch is suspended on these days. The trunk stretch of the line shared between all branches from Millennium Station to 63rd Street is the most heavily travelled section of the entire Metra system.
Opening Electric Shop Shutters: A Manual Override Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Chicago 'L' train extensions
The Chicago "L" (short for "elevated") is a rapid transit system serving the city of Chicago and some of its surrounding suburbs in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is the fourth-largest rapid transit system in the United States in terms of total route length, at 102.8 miles (165.4 km) long as of 2014. The "L" provides 24-hour service on the Red and Blue Lines, making Chicago one of only three cities in the world to offer 24-hour train service on some lines throughout their respective city limits.
The first "L", the Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad, began revenue service on June 6, 1892, when a steam locomotive pulled four wooden coaches carrying more than two dozen people. The journey from the 39th Street station to the Congress Street Terminal took 14 minutes over 3.6 miles of track. Over the next year, service was extended to 63rd Street and Stony Island Avenue, and then to the Transportation Building of the World's Columbian Exposition in Jackson Park.
Since the 1920s, the "L" has undergone significant changes and expansions, including the State and Dearborn subway connections in the 1930s and 1940s, the creation of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) in 1945, and the extension to O'Hare and Midway airports. The system has also seen improvements such as the introduction of air-conditioned cars, the retirement of wooden cars, and the addition of 4G wireless coverage in 2015.
The "L" has also faced some controversies and challenges. In the 1920s, some city leaders wanted to replace the elevated tracks, which were considered "ugly," with subways. This plan was met with public outcry, led by Chicago Tribune columnist Paul Gapp and architect Harry Weese. As a result, the elevated lines were rehabilitated instead of torn down.
Today, the "L" continues to undergo improvements and extensions. The Red Line South reconstruction project, completed in 2013, rebuilt the entire Dan Ryan branch, replacing tracks, ties, ballast, and drainage systems. The Brown Line also saw improvements, with eight-car trains introduced during rush hour in 2008.
Looking to the future, there are possibilities for further extensions, including Orange and Yellow line extensions and a new line to the currently "L"-less southeastern part of the city. The Red Line Extension Project, which aims to serve the underserved South Side of Chicago, has also been proposed.
Electricity's Circuitous Journey: Understanding Electric Flow
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, Chicago is not the only electric train system. The Chicago "L" (short for "elevated") is a rapid transit system serving the city of Chicago and some of its suburbs. It is the fourth-largest rapid transit system in the United States. The first electric-powered train in Chicago was introduced in 1895, and electricity is now standard for most rapid transit systems worldwide.
The Chicago "L" train system is powered by electricity from the local power utility, Commonwealth Edison or "ComEd". The electricity is converted at substations along the lines from alternating current to 600 volts direct current (DC), which powers the trains via a third rail.
The Chicago train system is commonly referred to as "the train", "the L", "the El", "the CTA", or "the [colour] line". The use of these names varies depending on the context and the specific line being referenced.
