Juniorz Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 I wonder will there be a special ceremony before or after the celebration runs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 I wonder will there be a special ceremony before or after the celebration runs? The Mayor of the CTA, Rahm Emanuel, will be there.....sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juniorz Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 The Mayor of the CTA, Rahm Emanuel, will be there.....sure. And maybe Busjack will attend, 2200-series leather seats & all...... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTRSP1900-CTA3200 Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 Aww, and I probably can't make it. First missing the 2200s retirement run because of school and now this. I've never seen the 4000s in person. At least I saw car 553 on the Metra today, but everyone who goes to Ogilvie probably has... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 Im just looking forward to riding that 4000 series train! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted April 24, 2014 Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 And maybe Busjack will attend, 2200-series leather seats & all...... I saw the cars at the Linden 100th anniversary, although Wilmette native Emanuel did not attend (see that topic). Also, it was discussed in connection with that event that the current seat covers were the exquisite skin of the nauga, instead of the original plush, and that such things as the car-length pull cord were not original. There wasn't any representation that 2200s would be on this trip, nor that the 4200s had any relationship to the Skokie Swift other than for party trips and similar sandbagging over signs. While sw pointed out that 5001-5004 (51-54) would be more authentic, if they wanted to do something pre-Swift, they would be hauling out the old Northwestern Elevated wood cars, but I don't think so either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strictures Posted April 24, 2014 Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 Aww, and I probably can't make it. First missing the 2200s retirement run because of school and now this. I've never seen the 4000s in person. At least I saw car 553 on the Metra today, but everyone who goes to Ogilvie probably has... I remember when there was 553, 555 & I think 6300. It was really something to see all three private cars on that train every day. I also remember a car on the Northwest Line that had a big round sticker that didn't allow the doors to open, which was a bar car. There aren't any bar cars here anymore, but there might be some running out of NYC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanbytes Posted April 24, 2014 Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 One.....keep the crowd separate. Two.... one fare would get the round trip ride. Three..... less congestion at Howard. And four... bums can't easily board and leave presents on the old cars if they don't open at Howard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicagopcclcar Posted April 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 Busjack, on 23 Apr 2014 - 19:31, said: I saw the cars at the Linden 100th anniversary, although Wilmette native Emanuel did not attend (see that topic). Also, it was discussed in connection with that event that the current seat covers were the exquisite skin of the nauga, instead of the original plush, and that such things as the car-length pull cord were not original. There wasn't any representation that 2200s would be on this trip, nor that the 4200s had any relationship to the Skokie Swift other than for party trips and similar sandbagging over signs. While sw pointed out that 5001-5004 (51-54) would be more authentic, if they wanted to do something pre-Swift, they would be hauling out the old Northwestern Elevated wood cars, but I don't think so either. I am sure that Juniorz was "pulling your leg" while referring about 2200 "L" cars; while expecting you to make your usual comments like giving names to the Chicago Mayor as if you were a political cartoon writer. True to form.......what's your interest in seating materials used in "L" cars? naugahyde? leather? plastic? plush fabric? rattan? Several railroad museums have banded together and contracted making enough plush fabric made for their restoration projects. You were correct that CTA 2200 series would not be operated on Saturday nor any other former "L" vehicles that ran on the Skokie Swift in the past; PCC high speed 1-4 experimentals, 60 series coupled PCC...all scrapped. PCC 5-50 in several museums and 51-54 at only two museums; IRM and FVTM...both trainsets not longer operate and the set at Fox is painted in a paint scheme from the 1940s. If the CTA wanted too, it could have scheduled former series that did run on the Skokie/ Yellow lines; 2400s, 2600s, 3200, or the present scheduled 5000s. If the CTA uses the historical heritage cars 4271- 4272 and offer the public rides I don't think most will complain despite the fact that the 4000s never served on the Skokie/ Yellow line. Folks will be happy Saturday to have ridden, photograped, listened to, and have shared them. It was a mistake to refer to a 4200 series of "L". You can refer to all the Cincinnati Compay cars as 4000s or refer to the two subsets; 4001- 4250 usually called "baldies"and the 4251- 4455 with their canvas roof, trolley poles, banks of ventilators on the roof and the interior seating done up in plush fabric; usually called "plushies." There is no 4200s series. And what is your problem with the communication cords. All 4000s had those cords in service from the original date. When all the 4000s were assembled to service on the State subway in 1943, they all had the cords. When the 4000s were equipped for remote door control on 1949, the cords were exchanged at some time for buzzers. The cords are removed. Staff at some time installed the cords on the two historic cars. 4271- 4272 still have their buzzers. What is wrong at that? Since you mentioned the cars at Linden, there are two photos. (L. Cillo) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicagopcclcar Posted April 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 ORIGINAL CTA RELEASE........... CTA, Skokie Celebrate 50 years of Swift ‘L’ Service 4/23/2014 Officials from the Chicago Transit Authority will celebrate the 50thanniversary of the Yellow Line – also known as the Skokie Swift -- on Saturday, April 26. The event will feature rides on two historic CTA train cars built in 1923 by the Cincinnati Car Company for the Chicago Elevated Railways, one of CTA’s predecessor companies. The CTA will commemorate the 50th anniversary with an event at 11 a.m. at the Oakton-Skokie station, 4800 Oakton St., Skokie. “For more than 50 years, the CTA has been a vital part of the Village of Skokie, linking residents from the north suburbs and Chicago quickly and conveniently,” said CTA President Forrest Claypool. “We’re proud of the important role CTA has played in the rich history of the village over the last five decades.” The Skokie Swift opened to the public on April 20, 1964, with service from Dempster to Howard, after an inaugural train operated for a few hours on April 18, 1964. The Swift service was developed as a joint “demonstration project” between the CTA, Village of Skokie and the federal government to demonstrate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of linking fast-growing suburban markets with an existing central city using rail transit. The pilot service included many features common today, such as the provision of a large park and ride lot, commuter drop-off/pick-up areas, close integration with area bus services and limited stop rail operation. The Skokie Swift became a permanent and integral part of the CTA ‘L’ system and was renamed the “Yellow Line” in 1993, following the CTA’s assignment of color names to all ‘L’ routes. It has continued to use the distinctive “Swift bird” icon that has branded the line since its inception. Brand new cars were assigned to the line in 1994, and more recently the CTA’s newest generation of rail cars, the 5000-series, have been assigned to the line, providing customers with a smooth, comfortable ride. Last year, the Yellow Line saw more than 6,300 rides each weekday, a nearly 6 percent jump from the previous year. The Yellow Line had more than 1.9 million total station entries in 2013. The Oakton-Skokie station, the Yellow Line’s newest station that opened two years ago this coming Wednesday next to the Illinois Science and Technology Park, saw a jump in average weekday station entries to 833 from 756. Oakton-Skokie is the second station on the Yellow Line, which runs from Dempster Street, Skokie to Howard Street, where customers can transfer to the Purple or Red lines. The community event will feature CTA’s historic train cars affectionately named the “plushies” because of their luxurious interiors with green plush seats. The cost to ride the historic train cars is $2.25, the CTA’s basic fare. These cars also featured steel carbodies with canvas-covered wooden roofs, with interiors that feature mahogany trim, electric fans, lights with glass lampshades and porcelain handholds for standees. The 4000-series cars operated occasionally on the line’s earlier pre-CTA incarnation, the Niles Center branch, including on its opening day in 1925. The cars provided ‘L’ service until 1973. Following their retirement, they were fully rehabbed, repainted in a historic livery from the 1940, and outfitted with historic displayed inside. Today, the cars make occasional appearances at special events. # # # 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTRSP1900-CTA3200 Posted April 24, 2014 Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 Official CTA link (what Chicagopcclcar posted) can be found here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juniorz Posted April 24, 2014 Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 Official CTA Skokie Anniversary Flyer 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TripleTransit1 Posted April 24, 2014 Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 Wow. 50 years of Skokie Swift Service already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whippersnapper Posted April 25, 2014 Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 Car 53 was still in existence at the Monticello Railway Museum (albeit, not in operable condition) last time I was out there (2-3 years ago). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicagopcclcar Posted April 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 A good find! November, 2013 Monticello Railway Museum “The Second Section” Monticello Railway Museum P.O. Box 401 Monticello IL 61856 After being de-accessioned from our collections some years ago, and several intervening years attempting to find another group to take the car, CTA car #53 was dismantled for parts by volunteers from Illinois Railway Museum. The parts they retrieved will help support their operating fleet of CTA cars, including a sister car to #53. On November 1st and 2nd, 2013, IRM & MRM members working together finished removing the remaining salvageable parts, and moved the car into place for crane work on the following day. On Nov. 2nd, after arrival of a 40 ton crane from Nash Crane of Tolono, the car body was lifted from its trucks and set on the ground, to await trucks to haul the bodies to a scrapyard. Two of the trucks were loaded onto IRM trucks, with the last two to be loaded on Saturday, Nov. 16th. IRM members spent several weekends during the heat of the summer removing as many useful parts from the car as possible. While it is unfortunate that sometimes equipment must be scrapped, in this case we feel it has worked out for the best. Many useful and unique parts were saved by Illinois Railway Museum, an organization that will be able to make good use of them, and MRM recovers track space that was being consumed by a piece of equipment that was rapidly deteriorating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron Posted April 25, 2014 Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 More memorabilia... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrunswickBowler Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 If I go there tomorrow I will try to get footage and pics of the cars and share them on here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2200fan Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 Charging camera batteries now. Who all is going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 Charging camera batteries now. Who all is going? Ill be there tomm. Cant wait to ride the 4000s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHICAGO D40LF Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 I'm going Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrunswickBowler Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 I am most likely going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 Clarification, in case anyone missed it: The 11am ceremony will be held at Oakton, not Dempster as was reported in earlier rumors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KedziePink Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 I'll be going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 On my way there now after a nice morning 6 mile lakefront run. Now for some trains! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artthouwill Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 Clarification, in case anyone missed it: The 11am ceremony will be held at Oakton, not Dempster as was reported in earlier rumors. Now you tell me, AFTER I leave Oakton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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