Chicago "L" facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chicago "L" |
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A Pink Line train approaching Randolph/Wabash station
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| Info | |||
| Locale | Chicago, Illinois, United States | ||
| Transit type | Rapid transit | ||
| Number of lines | 8 | ||
| Number of stations | 145 | ||
| Daily ridership | 767,730 (average weekday, 2015) | ||
| Chief executive | Dorval R. Carter, Jr. | ||
| Headquarters | 567 West Lake St. Chicago, Illinois |
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| Operation | |||
| Began operation | June 6, 1892 | ||
| Operator(s) | Chicago Transit Authority | ||
| Technical | |||
| System length | 102.8 mi (165.4 km) | ||
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge | ||
| Minimum radius of curvature | 90 feet (27,432 mm) | ||
| Electrification | Third rail, 600 V DC | ||
| Top speed | 55 mph (89 km/h) | ||
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The Chicago "L" (short for "elevated railway") is the Chicago rapid transit system. It serves the city of Chicago and some of its surrounding suburbs in the U.S. state of Illinois.
The "L" is operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). It is the fourth-largest rapid transit system in the United States. It is 102.8 miles (165.4 km) long, and the second-busiest rail mass transit system in the United States, after the New York City Subway.
Chicago's "L" has 24-hour service on some portions of its network. It is one of only five rapid transit systems in the United States to do so. The oldest sections of the Chicago "L" started operations in 1892, making it the second-oldest rapid transit system in the Americas, after New York City's elevated lines.
Related pages
Images for kids
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A train on the "L" in 1949 as photographed by Stanley Kubrick for Look Magazine
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The Brown and Purple Chicago "L" lines run above vehicular traffic on Franklin Street in the Near North Side community area.
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Pink and Green line elevated tracks crossing Franklin Street in the Loop
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Jackson/State subway stop on the Red Line
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A Red Line train pulls into Adams/Wabash, being rerouted over elevated tracks due to construction in the State Street subway
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A 2600-series car brings up the rear of a Red Line train rerouted through Loop at Randolph/Wabash
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A 4-car train of 3200-series cars pulls into State/Lake
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"L" train wrapped in pink to mark the start of the Pink Line trial service
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The newly rebuilt Wilson Station, September 2017
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A Brown Line train passes through Tower 12 while an Orange Line train waits its turn to enter the Loop.
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Intramural Railway 1893
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The "L" in 1921
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A Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railroad "L" train passing over the Chicago river in 1918
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1922 vintage Chicago Rapid Transit Company "L" cars. This car had a trolley pole in addition to contact shoes on the trucks
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A steam train on the Lake Street Elevated Railroad
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A preserved Northwestern Elevated Railroad car dating from 1907
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See also
In Spanish: Metro de Chicago para niños
