andrethebusman Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 One possibility I can think of is the minor variations in the GE motors that the CTA DC fleet uses, so maybe they want to use the motors that were built reasonably close together chronologically in the same consist. I overheard a train operator saying the 3200s brake the lightest, while the 2200s brake the hardest. Maybe all the motors behave differently, even though the motors are all 110 HP. I wonder if train operator preferences play a role in this too. Until a few years ago, mixing of series was not that unusual. Chicago-l.org has photos of many mixed consists, including a pair of 2400's leading 6 2000's on North-South. Mixing 2000's and 2200's was normal for years on West-South, as was 2400's and 2600's on Evanston. Of course 2200's and 2600's were mixed on WNW in every train until the end. 3200's were almost never run with other types because other types were not assigned to Ravenswood and Midway. Segregating the 2400's on Midway is actually quite unusual historically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Spotted 10 cars at Skokie Shops, so if you figure what's missing from the roster they should be up to #5501-02 at the shops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garmon757 Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Spotted 10 cars at Skokie Shops, so if you figure what's missing from the roster they should be up to #5501-02 at the shops. I'm guessing up to #5503-04 because of the fact the #5493-94 are the current cars placed into service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 I'm guessing up to #5503-04 because of the fact the #5493-94 are the current cars placed into service. I don't know though if #5491-92 are in Skokie Shops or Howard shops/yard. Looks like they have 4-6 ready to go for this weekend. Would be nice to see a #5500, but it might be a week early. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garmon757 Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 I don't know though if #5491-92 are in Skokie Shops or Howard shops/yard. Looks like they have 4-6 ready to go for this weekend. Would be nice to see a #5500, but it might be a week early.I'll say by the middle of next week ahead that we should see the 5000s in the 5500s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briman94 Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 So I hopped on the green line at Harlem/Lake today, and rode halfway inbound without noticing anything unusual. Then I happened to look up at the map and saw a red/purple/yellow map sticking out from behind the green line map. I thought "that's a bit odd..." and then looked at the car number. Lo and behold, I was shocked to see I was on 5208 from the red line! Upon arriving at Adams/Wabash, I noticed that the consist was also carrying 5237-38 and, I couldn't believe it, 5292-91. It was my first time seeing blue interiors on the green line, and it was nice not having to smell pot smoke residue the whole ride! But my question is...why did they borrow an entire consist from the red line? They just tweeted that they have an equipment shortage at Howard...I wonder if they realize the green line stole their trains lol! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garmon757 Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 So I hopped on the green line at Harlem/Lake today, and rode halfway inbound without noticing anything unusual. Then I happened to look up at the map and saw a red/purple/yellow map sticking out from behind the green line map. I thought "that's a bit odd..." and then looked at the car number. Lo and behold, I was shocked to see I was on 5208 from the red line! Upon arriving at Adams/Wabash, I noticed that the consist was also carrying 5237-38 and, I couldn't believe it, 5292-91. It was my first time seeing blue interiors on the green line, and it was nice not having to smell pot smoke residue the whole ride! But my question is...why did they borrow an entire consist from the red line? They just tweeted that they have an equipment shortage at Howard...I wonder if they realize the green line stole their trains lol!Wow, talking about turn of events!!! :huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geneking7320 Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 I was northbound on the Red Line last night sometime between 8:30pm and 9:15pm. IIRC the train was at Wilson and prior to leaving the station I heard (and felt) a loud bang from beneath the car. I don't remember the car number but I think it was one of the "powder blue" 5Ks. I was on the third car of the train sitting on the "controller" side in the third seat from the side door. I wasn't the only person who noticed it either. What's up with that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artthouwill Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Until a few years ago, mixing of series was not that unusual. Chicago-l.org has photos of many mixed consists, including a pair of 2400's leading 6 2000's on North-South. Mixing 2000's and 2200's was normal for years on West-South, as was 2400's and 2600's on Evanston. Of course 2200's and 2600's were mixed on WNW in every train until the end. 3200's were almost never run with other types because other types were not assigned to Ravenswood and Midway. Segregating the 2400's on Midway is actually quite unusual historically. Actually the first time I ever rode a 3200 series car was on the Red Line (Howard-Dan Ryan) before the opening of the Orange Line. It was in the middle of a consist of 2400s and 2600s. The other day I noticed an 8 car set with 3200s on the ends of the train and 4 2600s in the middle on the Orange Line leaving Ashland toward Midway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chgofan78 Posted July 26, 2014 Report Share Posted July 26, 2014 Just spotted 5491-92 and 5495-96 heading northbound on the Red Line. Also, the Purple Line is running all 5000-series shuttles for a change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 So I hopped on the green line at Harlem/Lake today, and rode halfway inbound without noticing anything unusual. Then I happened to look up at the map and saw a red/purple/yellow map sticking out from behind the green line map. I thought "that's a bit odd..." and then looked at the car number. Lo and behold, I was shocked to see I was on 5208 from the red line! Upon arriving at Adams/Wabash, I noticed that the consist was also carrying 5237-38 and, I couldn't believe it, 5292-91. It was my first time seeing blue interiors on the green line, and it was nice not having to smell pot smoke residue the whole ride! But my question is...why did they borrow an entire consist from the red line? They just tweeted that they have an equipment shortage at Howard...I wonder if they realize the green line stole their trains lol!#5383-84's heading sb on the green line now coming up to Pulaski. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garmon757 Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 #5383-84's heading sb on the green line now coming up to Pulaski.What the hell??? I wonder why??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 What the hell??? I wonder why??? I don't get it either. Maybe they want them to have some blue interiors lol or they are trying to give some cars a break from the red line. The fleet they have is going to be worn out soon if they don't do some shuffling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briman94 Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 I'd be all for that, except for the fact that they're doing it right as I'm about to start riding the red line instead of the green line lol. Has anybody seen < 5161 on the red line yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm522 Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 Maybe they are loaning equipment for Green for next weekend or Green may be short working equipment. There was a shortage on the green line the other day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garmon757 Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 I don't get it either. Maybe they want them to have some blue interiors lol or they are trying to give some cars a break from the red line. The fleet they have is going to be worn out soon if they don't do some shuffling.That's like saying give them a free preview of the blue interior 5000s for a week! What's next, a free sample of the 2600s??? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renardo870 Posted July 28, 2014 Report Share Posted July 28, 2014 I see the Purple Line has been running 5000's all day Saturday. During the afternoon, I saw 3 5000's and one 2600 series running btwn Howard and Linden and all 5000's after 800p. Looks like it will be all 5000s by Sept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted August 2, 2014 Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 Here's pictures of the delivery of cars #5509 and #5510 just released on facebook, midwest transit fans page. You have to sign up to view the page. It's really simple to join, just click join and within 24 hours you'll be a member. If you don't want to do that, I've uploaded the pictures I downloaded myself from the site. These pictures were taken on US 30 in Columbia City, Indiana I believe on Thursday, it was one day this week, I believe they showed up at Skokie Shops on Friday. If you want to try the link, I can't gaurantee it will work, (it might say you need to join that group), here it is... (but basically I have told you most of the facts above) https://facebook.com/groups/ChicagoTransitFans/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted August 2, 2014 Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 Here's pictures of the delivery of cars #5509 and #5510 just released on facebook, midwest transit fans page. You have to sign up to view the page. It's really simple to join, just click join and within 24 hours you'll be a member. If you don't want to do that, I've uploaded the pictures I downloaded myself from the site. cta 5509.jpg cta 5509a.jpg cta #5509 and #5510.jpg cta 5509 and 5510.jpg CTA #5510.jpg cta 5510.jpg These pictures were taken on US 30 in Columbia City, Indiana I believe on Thursday, it was one day this week, I believe they showed up at Skokie Shops on Friday. If you want to try the link, I can't gaurantee it will work, (it might say you need to join that group), here it is... (but basically I have told you most of the facts above) https://facebook.com/groups/ChicagoTransitFans/ It has to be an interesting sight to see rapid transit rail cars being hauled along the highway on flatbed trucks even if you're not a transit fan, especially through areas that don't have that kind of service in their transit systems or don't even have a functioning transit system. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrethebusman Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Here is what the official assignment is for 5000's as of 8/1/14: 5001-5042, 5291-5292, 5345-5346 Pink 5043-5146, 5207-5208, 5237-5240, 5289-5290, 5349-5350, 5367-5368, 5383-5384, 5437-5438 Green 5147-5154, 5161-5206, 5209-5236, 5241-5288, 5293-5344, 5347-5348, 5351-5366. 5369-5382, 5385-5400, 5429-5436, 5439-5446, 5461-5462, 5479-5490, 5493-5494 Red 5401-5428, 5447-5460, 5463-5478, 5491-5492, 5495-5496 Purple It would appear assigning additional cars to Pink and Green is to increase their allotments by 4 and 16 (1 and 2 trains respectively). Not sure if this is permanent or temporary. It would appear cars involved were chosen at random, probably because they happened to be coupled together at Howard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 I really don't get what's going on with the Green line. You would think this would put the Red line into a shortage but it looks like all they are doing is using all these spare #2600's that the Purple line no longer needs anymore. I'd really like to see the #2600's roster, this 414 cars on the Blue line is getting ridiculous. (there's probably more than that) They must be retiring something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm522 Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 The green and pink line may have needed them for certain events (Lollapalooza, Pitchfork, Fiesta Del Sol etc..) they may just needed them for additionally capacity reasons. When things die down they may move back to red. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 The green and pink line may have needed them for certain events (Lollapalooza, Pitchfork, Fiesta Del Sol etc..) they may just needed them for additionally capacity reasons. When things die down they may move back to red. Valid point given the Pink and Green lines did have notices for increased service by way of more frequent trains and/or longer trains during Lollapalooza weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon93 Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 I was on Facebook I follow CTA's Facebook page low & behold they put the 500th rail cars of the 5000 series on The Red Line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juniorz Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 Yep 500th 5000-series is in revenue service along the Red Line. The 2400-series retirement is near Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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