CTA Rolling Stock Part 1

This video describes the development of rapid transit cars in the city of Chicago from the turn of the century up to the 4000s of the 1930s.

[@Navillus.55]

I left Evanston for the West in June 1970 and The Evanston Express still had the light tan rattan-like seats at that time.

[@trainluvr]

The 4000 car whistle is the most beautiful train whistle I have ever heard.

[@phyllishamilton165]

You're a wonderful narrator!!! Your descriptions really bring back so many memories and explain so many facts and details on the history of the CTA, its rolling stock and the various routes. Thank you!!!

[@Larsky1010]

The colored lights on the 4000 series indicated what train it was when they were used on the West-Northwest system as well as Lake Street. I can't remember the combinations, but what color was lighted and on which side also gave skip-stop information "A" or "B" and final destination. The 6000 series had manually rotated lenses which accomplished the same thing, but with only one light on each side.

[@Navillus.55]

From 1951 through 1955, I rode the 'B' train from Howard Street to Berwyn where I could transfer to the Foster Avenue bus to go to Amundsen High School at Damen Avenue. When I started working downtown, I rode the 'el' from Howard to Monroe until 1965 when I moved to Evanston. Then I took the Evanston Express from Noyes Street. Sometimes I transferred to the subway at Howard, but I almost always came home on the Evanston Express because it was 'safer' for a female in many ways. The only problem was that the windows in the cars didn't have shatterproof glass and kids would throw rocks at the trains. I remember that the seats were woven and the color of wheat -- I don't know what the fiber was. I also recall that all elevated cars had signs posted that read, "Don't expectorate (spit) in the cars". There were two tricks for women to stay safe: The first was to carry an umbrella at all times with a steel tip on the end. The other was to always keep the windows closed because people would reach through the window at stations and grab your purse (or whatever). Those were the days, all right !!!

[@msibnsf]

In those days, the cab-signal on the Loop had only a 25 MPH max, restrictioned by a train in the blocks ahead. Note the scene shot from the sidewalk on Wells St.

[@fringbenefit]

Nice video, brings back memories of growing up on the south side of chicago

[@lcar4000]

I have a photo of my grandfather's great uncle standing on the front of wooden car 10, with an Evanston destination sign. The photo was taken in 1908

[@kelceypreston3859]

I hey I really like the older cars they're really nice looking

[@granskare]

I bought a CERA (Central Electric Railfans Association) book at the Illinois Railway Museum...They should still be available.

[@albertcarello619]

The Center Doors were never used on the 4000 SERIES BALDIES for reasons unclear and never stated not even when these cars operated in the subway.

[@RedArrow73]

On Transit Appreciation Day,were those two 4000s under such speed restriction due to deterioration? Seems like they go no faster than 15 MPH. Is it that they were that wore out?

[@MattAttack54]

Wow really Cool Quick Question where did the Chicago and Elgin Connect with the Loop was it with the Brown Line?

[@AndyKub]

I loved the 4000 series and was sad to see them go way back in the 60s (Lake St). Anyone know what the two sets of eight colored lights on the front and back were for?

[@Quasihamster]

wtf? concrete floors??