TheBrunswickBowler Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 Does anybody know if there will be a Holiday Train for the CTA this year? I haven't heard any news or updates on it. If anybody knows anything about the 2013 Holiday Train, please comment below. By the way, what rail line is cars #2893-2894, 2895-2896, 2897-2898 on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juniorz Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 The announcement is usually made around the 2nd Week of November. Visit www.transitchicago.com/holidaytrain for updates 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw4400 Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 Does anybody know if there will be a Holiday Train for the CTA this year? I haven't heard any news or updates on it. If anybody knows anything about the 2013 Holiday Train, please comment below. By the way, what rail line is cars #2893-2894, 2895-2896, 2897-2898 on? It is in the works currently... when the schedule comes out, I'll post it to my "L" Rosters line by line what day(s) the Santa Train will be on each line. When assigned, you will see the railcars assigned in Bold Colored Text to identify them from the rest of the rosters. Probably going to go with a Red-Green combo to make it festive. These cars are, for the moment, assigned to the Yellow Line regularly. There is speculation that after this year, 2893-2898 will be reassigned to the Red or Blue Line and the Yellow Line will keep a set of six 5000's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 If you want to know where they are right now. #2893-94 has been getting ready at Skokie Shops to become the Santa express now for about a month and #2897-98 just got started last week. Both are wrapped and the latter is just starting to get it's X-Mas lights. #2895-96 is most likely off getting rehabbed for the event. Those cars all go through a light rehab before they start decorating them. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrunswickBowler Posted November 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Oh ok. I knew cars 2893-2898 were assigned to the yellow line (I have ridden in some of them) and I can't wait for the Holiday Train. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw4400 Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 Train should be debuting in 27-29 days. First line will be announced in the coming weeks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juniorz Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 Look Between November 11th Through the 15th for the announcement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 I was going to say 27-29 days sounded a bit late. But Thanksgiving is late in the month this year and the trains as I recall are out starting about the weekend immediately following Thanksgiving as I recall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw4400 Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 Should be getting close for the 2013 Holiday Train Schedule... watch my rail rosters here for schedules with links to the CTA schedule and info for Photo stops for Santa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juniorz Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 CTA Customer Service said the schedule would be released before the end of November, so the usual wait just got a little bit longer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenstreet Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 Kevin over at CTA Tattler has posted an advance look at the CTA Holiday Train schedule. (He says it's unconfirmed by the CTA as yet.) It appears to be consistent with the last few years: Green, then Brown/Orange, then Pink/Blue, then Red/Purple/Yellow. Green Friday, 11/29/13 Saturday, 11/30/13 Tuesday, 12/3/13 Orange & Brown Wednesday, 12/4/13 Thursday, 12/5/13 Friday, 12/6/13 Saturday, 12/7/13 Pink Tuesday, 12/10/13 Wednesday 12/11/13 Blue Thursday, 12/12/13 Friday, 12/13/13 Saturday, 12/14/13 Red Tuesday, 12/17/13 Thursday, 12/19/13 Saturday, 12/21/13 (Red and Purple) Purple Express Wednesday, 12/18/13 Friday, 12/20/13 Saturday, 12/21/13 (Red and Purple) Yellow Monday, 12/23/13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTRSP1900-CTA3200 Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 I've ridden the Holiday Train on the Brown/Orange combo run. Time to switch things up a bit. Hopefully I can ride it on the Purple Line Express and/or the Pink Line. Better prep my video camera! Also I'd like to make a Tower 18 compilation video, hopefully involving the Holiday Train. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
railfan4072 Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Saw the Holiday Train yesterday on the Red Line around Addison northbound. Even in daylight, the lights were pretty spectacular. I wasn't expecting to see it, so I didn't have the camera ready. Next time....... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrunswickBowler Posted November 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Saw the Holiday Train yesterday on the Red Line around Addison northbound. Even in daylight, the lights were pretty spectacular. I wasn't expecting to see it, so I didn't have the camera ready. Next time....... Was it in service or was it testing? Isn't the Green Line supposed to get the Holiday Train first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw4400 Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Schedule is up and is being linked to my rail rosters as they go up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Was it in service or was it testing? Isn't the Green Line supposed to get the Holiday Train first? Yes it was testing, you saw it on it's maiden voyage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 Friday is the first big day. And yes although the generic schedule says the Green Line gets the train first on Friday, Saturday and Tuesday, the more detailed schedule reveals that it will actually be on the Orange Line as well as the Green Line between 3 PM and 7 PM during Friday's operation. It will leave Midway at 3:07 PM approximately, operating as an Orange Line train toward the Loop up to Halsted. After leaving Halsted. it will operate as a Green Line train to Harlem beginning at Roosevelt, which it departs at about 3:30 PM. It leaves Harlem at about 4:31 PM as a Green Line to Cottage Grove. Once it gets to Cottage Grove, it will depart at 5:50 and operate as a Green Line train to 35th-Bronzeville-IIT only after which it becomes an Orange Line train toward the Loop starting at Roosevelt upon which it circles the Loop elevated via the Orange Line's routing and then travel back to Midway. Saturday's operation is Green Line only operations between about 2 PM and 7 PM. The schedule isn't up for Tuesday which is as stated above is supposed to be another Green Line day, so it's not yet known if that day will be Green Line only or combination Green Line and Orange Line like Friday. At any rate, get your cameras and smart phones ready starting Friday either way for those on the forum who like to get pictures. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicagopcclcar Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 Staged at Midway yard that so the Holiday Train spins nights enclosed for security. DH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrunswickBowler Posted November 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 Staged at Midway yard that so the Holiday Train spins nights enclosed for security. DH I will be on one of the Orange/Brown Holiday Train runs. I will post a Youtube video on it (my youtube channel is TheBrunswickBowler). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw4400 Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 The schedule isn't up for Tuesday which is as stated above is supposed to be another Green Line day, so it's not yet known if that day will be Green Line only or combination Green Line and Orange Line like Friday. At any rate, get your cameras and smart phones ready starting Friday either way for those on the forum who like to get pictures. The schedule is up for Tuesday, and it's a split Green and Orange run. Check my rosters here and here for schedule links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 The schedule is up for Tuesday, and it's a split Green and Orange run. Check my rosters here and here for schedule links. They may have placed a link after I made my post earlier in the day this morning, but they did not have a link up at 9:30 AM as I was writing my post. Only Friday and Saturday were up this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juniorz Posted November 29, 2013 Report Share Posted November 29, 2013 Apparently, The CTA has a couple of guidelines for safe traveling on the CTA Holiday Train posted on it's facebook page. The CTA Holiday Train begins on Friday November 29th & Here are some guidelines in ensuring that you have a safe and fun experience this holiday season on the Holiday Train!!!!!!!!!!! To ensure everyone has an opportunity to see and take part in this annual tradition, here are some tips we suggest to make the most of your Holiday Train experience: - Travel light: with many families making the Holiday Train a part of their holiday traditions, collapsible strollers are encouraged so that you and others have an opportunity to board the train. - Boarding: the train will become more crowded as it travels down the rail line; therefore, we recommend customers consider the following: -> board at a station close to the beginning of the route. Unlike other in-service trains, customers who board the Holiday Train often stay on board until it reaches the terminal and will take it back home if the train is scheduled to make a return trip. -> rail cars toward the front or back of the train will be less crowded compared to those immediately adjacent to Santas sleigh. - Taking photos: if you are planning to ride the Holiday Train and take photos from a station platform, dont miss your opportunity to board the train! Board the train first and then plan to take photos of Santa or the train when exiting at your destination. The Holiday Train is an in-service train and has to maintain a service schedule; therefore it cannot dwell at stations for long periods of time. - Photos with Santa: on selected Saturdays there are opportunities to take photos with Santa at rail line terminals. Check the Holiday Train website for dates and specific times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw4400 Posted November 29, 2013 Report Share Posted November 29, 2013 Apparently, The CTA has a couple of guidelines for safe traveling on the CTA Holiday Train posted on it's facebook page. The CTA Holiday Train begins on Friday November 29th & Here are some guidelines in ensuring that you have a safe and fun experience this holiday season on the Holiday Train!!!!!!!!!!! To ensure everyone has an opportunity to see and take part in this annual tradition, here are some tips we suggest to make the most of your Holiday Train experience: - Travel light: with many families making the Holiday Train a part of their holiday traditions, collapsible strollers are encouraged so that you and others have an opportunity to board the train. - Boarding: the train will become more crowded as it travels down the rail line; therefore, we recommend customers consider the following: -> board at a station close to the beginning of the route. Unlike other in-service trains, customers who board the Holiday Train often stay on board until it reaches the terminal and will take it back home if the train is scheduled to make a return trip. -> rail cars toward the front or back of the train will be less crowded compared to those immediately adjacent to Santas sleigh. - Taking photos: if you are planning to ride the Holiday Train and take photos from a station platform, dont miss your opportunity to board the train! Board the train first and then plan to take photos of Santa or the train when exiting at your destination. The Holiday Train is an in-service train and has to maintain a service schedule; therefore it cannot dwell at stations for long periods of time. - Photos with Santa: on selected Saturdays there are opportunities to take photos with Santa at rail line terminals. Check the Holiday Train website for dates and specific times. My Roster Page will be updated with links to Holiday Train schedules for each line as well. When the train is scheduled for a line, I'll include it in bold, festive Red and Green text as well as a archived photo of the Santa's Express train in the photo library for the line(s) it'll be on. If I catch it on the Brown Line this year, I'll upload my pics here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bus fanatic30 Posted November 29, 2013 Report Share Posted November 29, 2013 Just saw the holiday train its on the green line at 63rd cottage grove Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garmon757 Posted December 1, 2013 Report Share Posted December 1, 2013 My kids' mom sent me this yesterday @ Harlem/Lake. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.