Purple Line (CTA) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Purple Line |
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A Purple Line train of 5000-series cars.
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| Overview | |
| Status | Operational |
| Locale | Chicago, Evanston and Wilmette, Illinois, United States |
| Termini | Linden Howard The Loop (weekday rush hours only) |
| Stations | 25 (weekday rush hours) 11 (all other times) |
| Service | |
| Type | Rapid transit |
| System | Chicago "L" |
| Operator(s) | Chicago Transit Authority |
| Rolling stock | 5000-series |
| Daily ridership | 10,187 (avg. weekday 2016) |
| History | |
| Opened | July 31, 1949 (Current operation) |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 15 mi (24 km) |
| Character | Elevated and Grade Level |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Minimum radius | 90 feet (27 m) |
| Electrification | Third rail, 600 V DC |
The Purple Line is a train route in the Chicago "L" system. It is also known as the Evanston Line. This train line is about 3.9-mile (6.3 km) long. It runs in the northern part of the Chicago train system.
The Purple Line usually starts at Linden Avenue in Wilmette. It travels through Evanston. Then it goes to Howard Street in Chicago. In 2016, about 10,187 people rode the Purple Line on an average weekday.
Contents
About the Purple Line
The Purple Line is a special part of Chicago's public transport. It helps many people get around every day. It connects different towns north of Chicago.
Where the Purple Line Goes
- The line starts in Wilmette at the Linden station.
- It then goes through Evanston, a city next to Chicago.
- Finally, it reaches Howard Street in Chicago.
During busy weekday mornings and evenings, the Purple Line goes even further. It extends all the way to The Loop in downtown Chicago. This makes it easier for people to get to work or school.
How Many Stations?
The number of stations on the Purple Line changes.
- During weekday rush hours, it stops at 25 stations.
- At other times, like weekends or non-rush hours, it stops at 11 stations. This is because the train runs as a shuttle between Linden and Howard.
Who Runs the Purple Line?
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates the Purple Line. The CTA runs all the trains and buses in Chicago. They make sure the trains run safely and on time.
When Did It Start?
The Purple Line, in its current form, started running on July 31, 1949. It has been helping people travel for many years.
How the Trains Work
The trains on the Purple Line are called 5000-series cars. They get their power from a "third rail." This is an extra rail next to the tracks. It carries electricity to make the trains move. The electricity is 600 volts of direct current (DC).
Images for kids
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Northward view from the Adams/Wabash station at night
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The northwestern corner of the Loop, through which the Purple Line enters and exits
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The Brown and Purple Lines run above vehicle traffic on Franklin Street in the Near North Side community area.
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Linden destination sign
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Howard destination sign, used on southbound shuttle trains terminating at Howard
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Loop destination sign, used on southbound Purple Line Express trains during weekday rush hours.
See also
In Spanish: Línea Púrpura (Metro de Chicago) para niños
