Leaderboard

ATC Red Cab Aspect failed to clear. It can be a defect on that particular rail car or defective wayside signals outside. Anyway it goes, the operator was intercepted while being authorized to operate on the ATC Bypass.

I will not be taking any wegovy in that case.

#5411-5414 are at skokie shops for rehabs, so purple is using some extras off the red.

Saw a 2600s pair in a consist with 6 3200s yesterday on a Forest Park bound blue line train. It looks like the blue line is having a hard time giving them a farewell. Would there be a major announcement once every 2600 is off the blue line? Could cta be waiting until the next rail car pick considering they have at least 200 3200s and 200 7000s in service?

When I lived somewhere that had both, tha Phantom hit me as being a cheesy Orion V. But the Orion VI was really cheesy. Chicagoans don't have much experience with Gillig LFs, but will in maybe 6 months. The ad hit me because it's about the first ad I saw that had a current generation bus. There's also the outcomes4me ad with an MTA bus on the street. Of course, his comment may have been an endorsement for Oh-Oh-=Oh-Ozempic. 😅

According to the commercial.one of the side effects of Wegovy is the urge to ride a Gillig bus: 😉

Well seeing as the bus entered service for the PM rush around 3 PM, it appears that again there were no buses available at 77th so #8901 got the go ahead to enter on the 2. A lot of runs on the 2 pull out between 3 and 4 PM when 77th is low on buses so they'll take whatever is available from there own shops or anything released by SS that hasn't been picked up by other garages.

I mean I'd kinda do the same. 2 isn't a sleepy route but it's not the 4 either so if it can handle a somewhat busy route that runs on a highway I'd be a bit more confident to move it to an all day block. If any slight issues arise then the bus isn't gonna be out for long since it's a peak only route so you can troubleshoot any kinks.

#1755, #1964 and #1970 are on LTH at SS. Fareboxes have been removed.

here’s 7249-7250 #7157-7158 are also at skokie shops from a 10-74 at rosemont yard minor damage on 7158 so they should be back real soon.

I'm not, send them to 74th.

Finally after many years, someone in Scheduling answered my prayers. Thank you! 🙏🏾 🙌🏾 https://metra.com/newsroom/metra-expands-up-north-weekend-service

Evanston Now says Pace told the RTA that it has enough unspent Covid funds that it won't have to cut bus service in 2026. Apparently not so with CTA.

Update: As of yesterday, all of 2006 Orion VII HEV #1000-1149 series were retired yesterday. 1064 and 1102 were the last units in service. Rip 2006-2025 Also RIP to the TTC Orion VII first generation era, January 24, 2003 - September 11, 2025.

Seeing 77 get more even if it’s temporary makes me happy.

You almost answered the question: I'd like to call your attention to the headlights: Gilligs never had them (Low Floors, Phantoms, etc) since they would encapsulate both the front and part of the sides near the door. Orion has, as you mentioned, had the "vertical" from the five, six, and early seven models (until the New Generations came on by). The defense rests. 😅

the plan is to equip the blue line with all 7000’s so if capacity is 380 cars that means they’ll get 380 7000’s and they have 241 (7001-7010 are included even tho they got sent back to CRRC for mods/upgrades/updates) already so 139 more to go but see what line could see the 7000’s next? orange or brown to knock off some of the 2600’s?

Which is another reason I don't think UP is entitled to much. A railroad only owns an easement for transportation purposes, and like whatever company abandoned freight service on the Skokie Valley south of the Edens Spur, it becomes a bike path or reverts to adjoining landowners. Anyway, UP is not collecting any rate of return on it.😃

Evanston Roundtable story about haggling over trackage rights. IMO (which doesn't count unless Metra or UP pays me to represent them), this is just about money, and since someone isn't generally allowed to impose an agreement unilaterally, and Metra pays to maintain the tracks (as established previously, it pays 100% for the N and NW lines, and part for the W line), UP isn't entitled to much. Also, if legally permissible and could be bonded, I think Metra should just condemn the property, which I thought was the original issue.

Full 8-Car set of 2600s? If so then that means that set may soon get off blue

8918 made debut at 77th currently on the 2

WHYY story to that effect. Apparently there was a reserve fund and a Title VI issue. Since the claim was that cuts to bus compared to regional rail were discriminatory.maybe that's why RTA transferred money ftom Metra and Pace to CTA. Later WPVI story that the governor authorized shifting capital funds to allow complying with the court order, and Pittsburg requested the same, but it is only a stop gap.

Yup, this video of the then-new Oakton-Skokie yellow line confirms it: (train at 2:22)

Considering any equipment transfer that isn't from Rosemont to 54th is more of a pain in the @$$ that might be the monkey wrench. There wouldn't be an announcement just for 2600s leaving the line, just for a farewell trip.

spotted 2879 & 2880 today, sitting in Midway yard with Howard (Yellow) roll signs. Been quite a while since 2600s have run there, thought it was neat.

New topic here, Here's the collection of Jitney busses in Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas taken by me (few walks away from my workplace): from Nov 2022 and last day of Dec 31, 2022 May- Dec 2023 and Blue Bird wrapped School Buses purchased secondhand and imported from the USA by unknown operator of USA owned by Fusion Superplex Imax Theatre (Jan 2024.) And other news, I heard some rumors on Facebook from Easy Car Sales that The Bahamas are getting Electric BYD Buses sometime in the near future. https://www.facebook.com/EasyCarSales/posts/byd-is-revolutionizing-electrified-transportation-worldwide-coming-soon-to-the-b/5437987986259898/

What is wrong with Gillig? They seem to have made improvements since the Phantoms.

Case in point, WHYY has a good overview.

1200 back at K this morning according to bustracker

Whatever year it was built, UP doesn't want any liability regarding people repainting that Evanston viaduct even if they did it for free. Metra would probably also have to assume liability.

The 59th/60th St ME station went to the Chicago Plan Commission on 8/21. The presentation has a lot of detailed drawings and renderings. It also says construction will last from 2026 to 2030. https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/zlup/Planning_and_Policy/Agendas/cpc_materials/08_2025/2025.08.21_Metra_59th_&_60th_St_LPO_CPC_Presentation.pdf The Grayland station on the MD-N line reopened on 8/14. https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/15/grayland-metra-station-back-open-after-years-of-construction/

Some new documents posted to the project webpage. Public Meeting Recording (6/5/2025) https://www.pacebus.com/sites/default/files/2025-06/I-290 Public Meeting Recording (1920x1080).mp4 Travel Market Analysis Report (7/11/2025) https://www.pacebus.com/sites/default/files/2025-07/I-290 I-88 Travel Market Analysis_update 07.11.25.pdf

I'm happy Metra finally added more weekend service on UP -North Line, especially earlier Sunday service from Chicago to Waukegan and Kenosha.

BNSF Service Expansion Weekdays and Weekends Effective September 8th, 2025 https://www.metra.com/newsroom/bnsf-line-to-expand-schedule-sept-8 UP - North Line Weekend Service Expansion Effective September 20th*, 2025 (*Date may be incorrect It may be Sept 15th or Sept 21st*). https://www.metra.com/newsroom/metra-expands-up-north-weekend-service UP -West Line Schedule Changes Effective September 8th, 2025 https://www.metra.com/newsroom/up-west-schedule-changes-coming-sept-8

Yeah plus Chicago shares the 12 with them during the AM rush. So they basically had to keep enough to handle the 82 being added to the Frequent Network yesterday. Chicago getting more makes sense due to the 53 becoming a part of the Frequent Network and getting the extension to Ford City. 1108 operated on the 53 yesterday as a matter of fact as a first assignment at C. Though NFs running on that route is extremely rare and had been for a few years now long before the count at C dropped to less than 30.

140-year-old topic based on the following, perhaps inconsistent posts: Under Pennsylvania: Under TTC, Transit has always been political, from when private parties wanted franchises to put horse car tracks in the streets and elevated tracks over them, and Chicago cops tried to blockade the Northwest Elevated Railroad (now the NSM to Wilson) to keep the company from meeting a deadline in its franchise to commence service), to fights over what agency has the right to regulate the companies, to attempts to collect taxes from receivers in bankruptcy court, to takeovers by public entities, to Chicago with the descent of management from businesspersons and transit professionals to political hacks and preachers, to the current fiscal mess and, in Illinois, transit reform proposal. But... In my view, this is relevant in only two senses: If the discussion is about policy. Stuff like Chicago mayors appointing persons not meeting statutory qualifications or trying to dictate who will be the CTA President involve policy. Policy is implicated, both nin Illinois and Pennsylvania, when transit advocates say "the state should give us $1.5 billion" or "the Commonwealth should give us $250 million," respectively, or service will be cut 40%, but the rubber hits the road, and the state says taxes and fees have to go up, and someone, such as tollway drivers or property sellers, has to pay it. That isn't "political cr--," @Glennwood Road Ent., but your statement quoted first above is. The matter should affect the writer, directly, by analogy, or by inference. This is what I meant by my Chicago Transit Forum comment, @MetroShadow, and not necessarily a restriction onn transit news from elsewhere. That's why I asked why someone who lives in Bermuda has any interest in what a politician from Erie Pa said, and, by inference, was "Republican cr--." I admit I have departed from this occasionally, such as to refute "savants" such as @nitro, who asserted New York soluutions applied in Chicago, when MTA was in fact 52 years behind. Now, that I have clarified my position, back to whether bus 1862 has met its crusher. 🫠

To be fair, this is the General Transit Discussion, so items like these are allowed. Folks can and should exercise the need to respond (or not).

You hit it right on the nose alongside with the 5000s hydraulic system and propulsion system would be conflicting if were electronically coupled with any other rail series. It can result to suspension and/or brake propulsion failures.

#93 Sunday service officially kicks off this upcoming sunday, first one kicks off NB at 06:35am, i’ve noticed a select few of the early morning runs aren’t out on 93 all day as they do 49 or 146 on the first or second half of the run.

Despite wat transit expert @nitro 😉said, " ICYMI: Governor Hochul Announces Interborough Express Advancing from Planning to Active Phase." Originally seen in the New York Daily News. Also, MTA is transitioning to OMNY, which sounds like Ventra, except a user is only charged for 12 rides in a week.

Good evening, good people. I hope your holiday weekend is going well. I was inquiring about rail yard capacity for the rail lines. I think the on the Red Line, the Howard Yard holds like 272 rail cars, the 98th St Yard holds like 238 rail cars and the Purple Line Linden Yard holds the least rail cars at 76. I believe the Rosemont Yard on the Blue Line is the biggest rail yard holding about 280 rail cars and O'Hare middle track holds 16 rail cars. I'm not sure of the exact number for the rail yards at: Forest Park, 54th, Kimball, Midway, Harlem/Lake, Ashland/63rd, 61st St*, 63rd Lower Yard* & Skokie Yard. I want to say all yards except 61st Stand 63rd Lower Yard holds a minimum of 100 rails cars to a maximum of 176 rail cars, bcarI don't have an exact number. I believe 61st & 63rd Lower is more for non - revenue equipment & Skokie Yard is for heavy maintenance and bringing in new rail equipment.

And yet NP manages to get artics running on the 22 everyday with Clark Street just as narrow for most of its length as the stretch of Broadway you're speaking about. The available driving space on stretch of Clark between Irving Park and Montrose is even narrower due to the protected bike lanes that were put in back in 2023.

#1860, #1880, and #2000 are coming back soon.

Everyone who has commented so far is completely correct. The destination sign rollers are based on the line the cars are assigned to and not the series of the cars. One other thing to remember is that each destination sign is limited to 15 spaces due to the mechanics of the system. The current roller configurations that I know about are: 1: O'Hare (Blue), Forest Park (Blue), 54/Cermak (reversed Blue), Rosemont (Blue), UIC (reversed Blue), Howard (Red), 95th (Red), 54/Cermak (Pink), Loop (Pink), Jefferson Park (Blue), Harlem (Green), Ashland/63 (Green), Cottage Grove (Reversed Green), Not in service (Black), Express (Black) 2: O'Hare (Blue), Forest Park (Blue), 54/Cermak (reversed Blue), Rosemont (Blue), UIC (reversed Blue), Howard (Red), 95th (Red), 54/Cermak (Pink), Loop (Pink), 58th (reversed Green), Harlem (Green), Ashland/63 (Green), Cottage Grove (Reversed Green), Not in service (Black), Express (Black) 3. Kimball (Brown), Loop (Brown), Belmont (Brown), Midway (Orange), Loop (Orange), Howard (Red), 95th (Red), Howard (Yellow), Skokie (Yellow), Roosevelt (Red), Linden (Purple), Loop (Purple), Howard (Purple), Not in service (Black), Express (Black) 4. Kimball (Brown), Loop (Brown), Belmont (Brown), Midway (Orange), Loop (Orange), Howard (Red), 95th (Red), Midway (Black), Downtown (Black), O'Hare (Black), Harlem (Green), Ashland/63 (Green), Cottage Grove (reversed Green), Not in service (Black), Express (Black) On a related note, does anyone know of any other destination sign configurations the CTA is currently using?

When writing my post about my so-called state senator, I realized something. Last year was the CTA's 60th anniversary. Instead of doing a celebration similar to that of 1997, which included the downtown display of classic CTA retired buses, the whole year was spent working on getting the state to help solve a funding problem that could have been worked out in 2006 when the crisis was really starting to be brought into the public eye. It would have been good to see those buses again along with possibly the Old Flyers, Americanas, MAN Arctics (7100s and 7300s), 4900s and 4915s. Instead everyone's nerves had to get frayed to their limit with the constant proposing and delaying of different Doomsday scenarios throughout the year. It's sad the whole foolishness of it deprived everyone of that treat. What a way to mark the 60th year of such a vital resource.

Yeah, at least a few are at 77th. Also, if CTA wanted to continue a historic fleet, there are a few Flyers at 77th, too.

The main issue is that in the old days, CTA had the garage space and maybe the resources for a historical fleet. It certainly doesn't now, and apparently one must rely on CHBM or IRM.

The derailment we had at rosemont yard i forgot to post these Snapchat-295967291.mp4

One that may hit too close to one of our members, and proves again that MTA is not to be emulated. NY Daily News: MTA threatened with funding loss because FTA says it didn't file an adequate risk assessment after 2 flaggers were struck by trains--1 killed and another suffered head trauma.

Anyway, what's going on with the EV Parts issues with Proterra Buses from transit agencies in USA and Canada?