5000-series - Updates

[sw4400]

If the CTA personnel in charge of assigning railcars follows suit here, then I'd look for 5159-5160 to make their way to the Yellow Line eventually giving them a temporarily or permanently* assigned six-car set while 2893-2898 are out of service until 2014.

*= Depending on where 2893-2898 are reassigned to after they are stripped of their Santa's Express decorations. Rumor has them assigned to the Purple Line, then eventually the Blue Line.

[Busjack]

If the CTA personnel in charge of assigning railcars follows suit here, then I'd look for 5159-5160 to make their way to the Yellow Line eventually giving them a temporarily or permanently* assigned six-car set while 2893-2898 are out of service until 2014.

*= Depending on where 2893-2898 are reassigned to after they are stripped of their Santa's Express decorations. Rumor has them assigned to the Purple Line, then eventually the Blue Line.

Just guessing:

• There have to be 6 cars serving that line, one way or the other.
• Since you pointed out that the cars you listed have the work jumpers, maybe there was some fear about otherwise stalling at the grade crossings, but, obviously, that can't be too big of a concern if the 5000s are running there without incident.

[BusHunter]

#5315-16 are in Howard yard tonight. I snapped a few pictures.

[BusHunter]

#5315-16 were in service yesterday and the yellow line cars #5155-58 were on the Red line, so I don't know if the loan is over or not.

[Busjack]

#5315-16 were in service yesterday and the yellow line cars #5155-58 were on the Red line, so I don't know if the loan is over or not.

I wasn't sure what you meant. Are you saying that 2600 are back on the Yellow Line, or you don't know what's there, but it wasn't those 4 cars?

[chgofan78]

The Yellow Line has its normal cars back in service- at least 2893-2894 and 2895-2896. 2897-2898 have been seen in various spots in Howard yard, but I haven't seen them in service for the last week. 2923-2924 and 2901-2902 have made appearances this week on the Yellow Line as well.

[sw4400]

The Yellow Line has its normal cars back in service- at least 2893-2894 and 2895-2896. 2897-2898 have been seen in various spots in Howard yard, but I haven't seen them in service for the last week. 2923-2924 and 2901-2902 have made appearances this week on the Yellow Line as well.

This is surprising. Some have stated that these six have been removed from service for the Santa's Express transformation, but this obviously wasn't the case as the cars(at least 2893-2896) have been returned to service on the Yellow Line. I don't think they leave for transformation until sometime in October. What was up with 5155-5158 going to the Yellow Line temporarily, I don't know. Maybe a grade level crossing test for them as the Purple and Yellow, in one order or another, will be the next to get 5000's and both have grade level crossings. If they're testing this now, then one or both lines might be getting them starting in 2014 at some point(Yellow only needs 6, Purple under 100).

[Sam92]

This is surprising. Some have stated that these six have been removed from service for the Santa's Express transformation, but this obviously wasn't the case as the cars(at least 2893-2896) have been returned to service on the Yellow Line. I don't think they leave for transformation until sometime in October. What was up with 5155-5158 going to the Yellow Line temporarily, I don't know. Maybe a grade level crossing test for them as the Purple and Yellow, in one order or another, will be the next to get 5000's and both have grade level crossings. If they're testing this now, then one or both lines might be getting them starting in 2014 at some point(Yellow only needs 6, Purple under 100).

testing for grade level crossing seems kinda late seeing as the first line they saw actual revenue service on has grade level crossings (Pink Line towards the end). Unless you're suggesting that they are testing them to run in 2-car consists on lines with grade level crossings and safely make it across at a low speed (such as pulling out of a station) before the power cuts off

[sw4400]

testing for grade level crossing seems kinda late seeing as the first line they saw actual revenue service on has grade level crossings (Pink Line towards the end). Unless you're suggesting that they are testing them to run in 2-car consists on lines with grade level crossings and safely make it across at a low speed (such as pulling out of a station) before the power cuts off

True, Sam92. Pink Line was the first rail line the 5000's were assigned to that had grade crossings, so the level crossing test had been done. I'm just lost as to why 5155-5158 were assigned to the Yellow Line while 2893-2898 were removed since they obviously are not being transformed to the Santa's Express train yet.

[BusHunter]

#2893-98 did disappear for a short time, but they came back. What puzzles me is why they haven't gone yet to become Santa cars. They should have already been gone, I've never seen them leave in October. This is starting to make me wonder if there's going to be new santa cars this year. We'll know for sure in a few more weeks.

[sw4400]

#2893-98 did disappear for a short time, but they came back. What puzzles me is why they haven't gone yet to become Santa cars. They should have already been gone, I've never seen them leave in October. This is starting to make me wonder if there's going to be new santa cars this year. We'll know for sure in a few more weeks.

Whatever cars are used must be equipped with a 600V Jumper for Work Train service. The only known cars for this are the following(listed in single married pairs and given their color line assignments)...

2401-2402

2403-2404

2405-2406

2407-2408

2409-2410

2411-2412

2413-2414

2415-2416

2417-2418

2419-2420

2421-2422

2891-2892

2893-2894

2895-2896

2897-2898

2899-2900

3441-3442

3443-3444

I know there was mention of some pairs of 5000's having 600V Jumpers installed for Work Train service. Which ones and how many pairs, I don't know. Chicago-L.org was where I got the info posted above from really old rosters dating back to 2000. That site has been really slow in updating their rosters(last update was June 5, 2013... before that it was December 16, 2012.)

If not 2893-2898, the only known options are the ones above unless a six-car set of 5000's with the Jumpers are ready to be transformed into the Santa's Express train this year. If so, I'd look for a 6-car set of 5000's to leave the Red, Pink or Green Line next month.

The other idea is that there is no more Santa's Express train as the CTA cut it from the budget, which would be sad given how much the City, State and even Country have cut this year... The Air and Water Show was a real bust.... no Thunderbirds, no Blue Angels. It didn't feel like the traditional Air and Water Show unless they're buzzing the Downtown and neighboring areas during practice and the Air and Water Show days. I hope they come back next year... they were talking about cutting the CTA Santa's Express Train last year but decided on continuing it, I'm guessing due to public complaints and City Political figures complaining.

[Busjack]

If not 2893-2898, the only known options are the ones above unless a six-car set of 5000's with the Jumpers are ready to be transformed into the Santa's Express train this year. If so, I'd look for a 6-car set of 5000's to leave the Red, Pink or Green Line next month.

The bigger question is not the jumpers, but that the flat cars have to be modified to get the train lines through, and have their brakes work with the electric brakes on the passenger equipment.

Since it is a given that the 5000s won't couple electrically with 2400s-3200s, they won't couple with the flat cars, either, unless the flat cars are reworked. Then, CTA would be stuck using virtually new cars as work equipment.

The last time CTA threatened to call off the Santa Express "because it wouldn't look good" immediately before some Doomsday, Kruesi was called Scrooge. Maybe it is time for Claypool to be called something worse, but I don't think he wants to take that PR hit.

[BusHunter]

They have scrooged the buses the last few years. I'd be surprised if there was no Santa train.

[chgofan78]

5155-5156 are back on the Yellow Line today. On a sidebar, 3397-3398 from the Brown Line are sitting in the Howard yard this evening.

[4CottageGrove95th]

5155-5156 are back on the Yellow Line today. On a sidebar, 3397-3398 from the Brown Line are sitting in the Howard yard this evening.

Speaking of the Brown Line, this morning around 6:45 am, I was on the Randolph/Wabash platform waiting for a Midway-bound Orange Line to make my flight back to Arizona when I saw an eight car Brown Line train made up of al 2400 series cars, the last two cars in that consist being 2599 - 2600. It had the green and red marker light arrangement as well as the destination sign set for "KIMBALL". Additionally the automated announcement indicated that this was a Brown Line train. Also, there was a second eight car Brown Line train 7 to 10 minutes later that was likewise made up of 2400s. I looked up the updated "L" Roster to see if this was a new temporary assignment to the Brown; didn't see anything different. Or maybe these 2400 sets just run from Midway to Kimball during the morning rush hour by special arrangement???? Hey folks, I'm just asking.

[Sam92]

Speaking of the Brown Line, this morning around 6:45 am, I was on the Randolph/Wabash platform waiting for a Midway-bound Orange Line to make my flight back to Arizona when I saw an eight car Brown Line train made up of al 2400 series cars, the last two cars in that consist being 2599 - 2600. It had the green and red marker light arrangement as well as the destination sign set for "KIMBALL". Additionally the automated announcement indicated that this was a Brown Line train. Also, there was a second eight car Brown Line train 7 to 10 minutes later that was likewise made up of 2400s. I looked up the updated "L" Roster to see if this was a new temporary assignment to the Brown; didn't see anything different. Or maybe these 2400 sets just run from Midway to Kimball during the morning rush hour by special arrangement???? Hey folks, I'm just asking.

Yes. In the AM and PM rush, there are trips between Kimball and Midway because of an equipment shortage.

[4CottageGrove95th]

Yes. In the AM and PM rush, there are trips between Kimball and Midway because of an equipment shortage.

Thanks for the info!!! It just looked so odd, especially since, if my memory serves correctly, the last time a 2400 series consist ran on the Ravenswood (Brown) Line was in the early to mid 1980s when the then-new 2600s were being delivered to the property.

[sw4400]

5155-5156 are back on the Yellow Line today. On a sidebar, 3397-3398 from the Brown Line are sitting in the Howard yard this evening.

Ok... 5155-5156 are on the Yellow Line while 2893-2898 are gone, then 2893-2898 return and 5155-5156 return to the Red Line. Now 5155-5156 return to the Yellow Line and I can only presume 2893-2898 are once again gone.

What is going on here, CTA??? You give... you take... you give again. What gives???

3397-3398 at Howard Yard is something worth watching, however... is it in for repairs that only Howard Yard can do, is it a transfer to the Purple Line in the future for some 3200's on the Brown Line? And if so, what will replace those transferred out?

[BusHunter]

#5313-14 and #5319-20 are running on the Red line today. Here are some pictures of #5319-20. BTW, #2895-96 are still running on the Yellow line and the #3200 mentioned before is gone most likely to a shop.

[artthouwill]

As I stated earlier, cars should be interchangeable between the Red, Purple, and Yellow Lines, although I have yet to see a 5000 series Purple Line Express (other than the testing period). That doesn't mean that it can't happen. If there is a six car consist available with a qualified Purple Line Express operator, it certainly could happen. I also haven't seen 2400s on the Yellow Line. Perhaps that is a signage issue, but outside of that, certainly a possibility. It would seem to make sense that any car out of Howard could be assigned to any of the three routes that terminate (run through) Howard. I also recognize that some cars may have to run a Brown/Purple combo as well. It seems like CTA is still treating the Yellow Line as a separate entity like those cars still have pantographs on them.

[Busjack]

As I stated earlier, cars should be interchangeable between the Red, Purple, and Yellow Lines, although I have yet to see a 5000 series Purple Line Express (other than the testing period). That doesn't mean that it can't happen. If there is a six car consist available with a qualified Purple Line Express operator, it certainly could happen. I also haven't seen 2400s on the Yellow Line. Perhaps that is a signage issue, but outside of that, certainly a possibility. It would seem to make sense that any car out of Howard could be assigned to any of the three routes that terminate (run through) Howard. I also recognize that some cars may have to run a Brown/Purple combo as well. It seems like CTA is still treating the Yellow Line as a separate entity like those cars still have pantographs on them.

I was about to make the same point about the Yellow Line.

The Purple Line Express doesn't meet the same qualification of being only out of Howard Yard, since in the interim between when cars leave for downtown and arrive back, Howard usually sends a 2 car train northbound, which couples with 4 cars at Linden to go back southbound. Thus, whatever is assigned to the Purple Line Express has to be able to intercouple.

The signage issue is obviously mitigated by the fact that the pictures of the 5000s on the Yellow Line show the use of electronic signs. The issue might have arisen if 2400s were used on the Yellow Line, but as far as anyone can tell, they never have been.

[artthouwill]

I was about to make the same point about the Yellow Line.

The Purple Line Express doesn't meet the same qualification of being only out of Howard Yard, since in the interim between when cars leave for downtown and arrive back, Howard usually sends a 2 car train northbound, which couples with 4 cars at Linden to go back southbound. Thus, whatever is assigned to the Purple Line Express has to be able to intercouple.

The signage issue is obviously mitigated by the fact that the pictures of the 5000s on the Yellow Line show the use of electronic signs. The issue might have arisen if 2400s were used on the Yellow Line, but as far as anyone can tell, they never have been.

I only meant the signage issue as related to the 2400s only.

If I am not mistaken, all of the Purple Line shuttle runs begin and end at Howard (at least according to the timetables). Those are run with 4 car consists.. I'm not up there on a regular basis so it would be hard for me to say for sure, but it would seem as though it would be 2 additional cars coupled at Evanston to a 4 car train that originated at Howard. Remember while the Purple Line expresses head downtown, Howard still would have to supply locals from Howard to Linden until that first express train made it back to Howard.

Of course any 5000 train on Purple would have to be exclusively out of Howard for the time being, since they can't couple with other cars. Perhaps when the retirement of the 2400s winds down, basing some 5000 series cars out of Linden can be an option.

[Busjack]

I only meant the signage issue as related to the 2400s only.

If I am not mistaken, all of the Purple Line shuttle runs begin and end at Howard (at least according to the timetables). Those are run with 4 car consists.. I'm not up there on a regular basis so it would be hard for me to say for sure, but it would seem as though it would be 2 additional cars coupled at Evanston to a 4 car train that originated at Howard. Remember while the Purple Line expresses head downtown, Howard still would have to supply locals from Howard to Linden until that first express train made it back to Howard.

Of course any 5000 train on Purple would have to be exclusively out of Howard for the time being, since they can't couple with other cars. Perhaps when the retirement of the 2400s winds down, basing some 5000 series cars out of Linden can be an option.

My experience was as I described above, with Howard supplying a 2 car shuttle, but, in any event, so long as there is coupling at Linden, Howard is not able to send out a shuttle to eventually be coupled to a southbound Express that isn't compatible with the equipment at Linden.

[chgofan78]

Tonight, 2895-2896 are being used on the Purple Line Express.

[BusHunter]

#2893-94 have made they're way to Skokie Shops to become the Santa cars, but as far as I know it's just the two cars. That's not unusual, as usually they will showcase the first two cars inside the shop in October for the rodeos. They used to store the new #5000 cars outside the building, but now they keep those inside. #5321-24 are inside the shops this week. They might pull those out of there and put them on the Red line for the weekend.

As far the #5000's on the yellow line, this week they have started running both #5155-56 and #5157-58 as two of the three consists on the Yellow line. The third this week has been #2899-2900. Before this week I have never seen both sets run together, but now they are doing just that.