BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POSTS/LINKS)

Unlike the long-defunct CA&E and the CNS&M, the "South Shore" has been restructured over the past several decades, and still runs electric MU trains today.

Sadly, the last vestiges of street running are no more.

Interestingly enough, the "South Shore" was the only interurban NOT to enter Chicago's Loop via the "L".

Sad that at least the "North Shore" could not have enjoyed a smiliar fate; the scrapping of this high-speed electric rail network was nothing short of short-sided............

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Shore_Line

["THE LITTLE TRAIN THAT COULD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A number of intriguing modern-day views here highlighting the forgotten remnants of long-demolished Chicago "L" lines; there are also a number of interesting and nostalgic historical views as well............

www.forgottenchicago.com/features/remnants-of-the-l/

["EVANSTON-WILMETTE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

THE ultimate source for Chicago "L" rolling stock, stations, paint schemes, car assignments; indeed, this exhaustive site is the most DEFINITIVE sight for anyone interested in the "L", both past and present.............

https://www.chicago-l.org/

["SHUTTLE-EVANSTON"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Concise, "in depth" page (w/links) on the history and development of Chicago's "L" system...........

https://www.chicago-l.org/history/

["A RAVENSWOOD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

More interesting historical info (including interurban buses).........

https://www.chicagorailfan.com/maincnsm.html

https://www.chicagorailfan.com/ibuscnsb.html

["SUBURBAN SAFEWAY LINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Thankfully, both of these sleek, modernistic, and iconic electric trains still survive today;

Just think had the CNS&M survived until the present, new units continuing to link Chicago and Milwaukee, at 90 MPH.........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroliner

["THE NORTH SHORE LINE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here are several extensive photo galleries on the many different types of cars that ran/run over the ": from its earliest days to the present (see link following)

Note how the wooden cars (those with railroad roofs and enclosed vestibules) looked more like scaled-down interurban equipment than "L" cars, which gave them a most distinctive appearance.

The iconic 4000s are indeed worthy of study unto themselves; among these famed cars, there were sub-groups ("Plushies", "Baldies", etc)

Perhaps even more iconic were the legendary 6000s, some of which used recycled parts from the recently-scrapped PCC fleet.

Unlike New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, "blinker" doors were popular on the "L" for many years.............

https://www.chicago-l.org/trains/gallery/index.html

["CTA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This timeless "posed" photo from 1991 easily could have been taken back in 1960......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?56197

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["MILWAUKEE EXPRESS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"L" trains w/ trolley poles...........

In New York, until the early 1920s, BRT (later the BMT) El trains, upon reaching surface trackage in Brooklyn, switched from third rail to overhead trolley wire.

On street trackage, the (BRT) El trains were required to be fitted with trolley-style "basket" fenders; these trains also operated on the same tracks as the local streetcars.

In Chicago, interestingly enough, certain "L" lines used trolley poles into the 1970s; the "SKOKIE SWIFT" was the very last route to use overhead wire, using former CNS&M catenary bridges............

"NYO"

["DEMPSTER"[

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Not much remains today of the old Kenwood Branch of the "L", which was closed in 1957...........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenwood_Branch

["VINCENNES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here are two more interesting pages, featuring both historical and modern-era photos........

https://www.chicago-l.org/operations/lines/paulina.html

https://www.chicago-l.org/operations/lines/douglas.html

["CHICAGO RAPID TRANSIT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Photos/info on the "L's" yards, shops, towers, and junctions, past and present (a number of historical photos are also to be found here)

Note, in particular, the large number of manned towers that were once utilized......

https://www.chicago-l.org/operations/index.html

[Cyberider]

NYO,

Lots going on in Chicago but, for some reason, the place has never appealed to me. I do have two books, Chicago Rapid Transit Vol. 1 and Chicago Surface Lines. This topic may spur a re-reading of these books that I haven't visited in awhile.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"L" marker lights..............

In New York, ALL "El" cars (motors only) were equipped with rooftop markers, used, of course, for train identification.

In Chicago, on the other hand, I've seen very few photos of wooden "L" cars with marker lights.

Back in the day, with the "L" utilizing multiple junctions with manned towers, it would seem essential that trains be identifiable (as to route), so that towers could route trains onto the correct line.

Interestingly, the wooden cars (with deck roofs) used markers; these, however, were recessed into the monitor ends.

Steel equipment, utilized markers.............

"NYO"

["SHOPPER'S SPECIAL"]