The Chicago "L" is the rapid transit system serving the city of Chicago and some of its surrounding suburbs in the U.S. state of Illinois. Operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), it is the fourth-largest rapid transit system in the United States in terms of total route length, at 102.8 miles (165.4 km) long as of 2014, and the third-busiest rapid transit system in the United States after the New York City Subway and the Washington Metro. As of January 2024, the "L" had 1,480 rail cars operating across eight different routes on 224.1 miles of track. CTA trains make about 1,888 trips each day servicing 146 train stations. In 2023, the system had 117,447,000 rides, or about 416,200 per weekday in the third quarter of 2024.
The Blue Line is a 26.93-mile-long (43.34 km) Chicago "L" line which runs from O'Hare International Airport at the far northwest end of the city, through downtown via the Milwaukee–Dearborn subway and across the West Side to its southwest end in Forest Park, with a total of 33 stations. At about 27 miles, it is the longest line on the Chicago "L" system and second busiest, and one of the longest local subway/elevated lines in the world. It has an average of 72,475 passengers boarding each weekday in 2023.
The Brown Line of the Chicago "L" system, is an 11.4-mile (18.3 km) route with 27 stations between Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood and downtown Chicago. It runs completely above ground and is almost entirely grade-separated. It is the third-busiest 'L' route, with an average of 33,302 passengers boarding each weekday in 2023.
The Pink Line is an 11.2 mi (18.0 km) rapid transit line in Chicago, run by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) as part of the Chicago "L" system. It is the CTA's newest rail line and began operation for a 180-day trial period on June 25, 2006, running between 54th/Cermak station in Cicero, Illinois and the Loop in downtown Chicago. As the line enters downtown Chicago, it begins to share tracks with Green Line trains on Lake Street. This connection is handled by the previously non-revenue Paulina Connector set of tracks. In 2023, over 3 million passengers boarded Pink Line trains.
Kimball is an 'L' station and the terminus of the CTA's Brown Line. It is located in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood. From Kimball, trains run south and then east to Kedzie, which is about 0.33 miles (0.53 km) away. During regular hours trains are scheduled to depart from Kimball every 7–10 minutes, and take about 33 minutes to reach the Loop.
The current rolling stock of the Chicago "L" rapid transit system consists of four series of railcars. The oldest series is the 2600-series which was built between 1981 and 1987 and refurbished between 1999 and 2002. The second series is the 3200-series, built between 1992 and 1994 and refurbished between 2015 and 2018. The third and newest series is known as the 5000-series; built between 2009 and 2015, they feature new technologies such as LED color signs, security cameras, new seating configuration, AC motors, and interior LED signs displaying date and time. The most recent order consists of the 7000-series cars that are planned to replace the 2600-series cars, with options for additional cars that would replace the 3200-series cars.
The Northwestern Elevated Railroad was the last of the privately constructed rapid transit lines to be built in Chicago. The line ran from the Loop in downtown Chicago north to Wilson Avenue in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood with a branch to Ravenswood and Albany Park that left the main line at Clark Street. The Ravenswood line is now operated as the Brown Line, while the Main Line is used by the Purple and Red Lines.
The 2200-series was a series of Chicago "L" cars built in 1969 and 1970 by the Budd Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 150 cars were built. The last 8 2200-series cars were retired from service after their ceremonial last trips on the Blue Line on August 8, 2013. These cars were in service for 44 years. All cars except the preserved ones were scrapped by October 2015.
The Ravenswood branch is a 4.7 mi (7.6 km) long branch of the Chicago "L" in Chicago, Illinois. Operated by the Chicago Transit Authority, it carries the Brown Line. As of February 2013, an average of 30,949 passengers are served each weekday on this branch.
The Howard Yard is a CTA rail yard in the Rogers Park neighborhood on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois, on the border with Evanston, Illinois. It is the largest rail yard of the CTA, and stores cars from the Yellow, Red, and Purple Lines of the Chicago Transit Authority.
The 98th Yard is a CTA rail yard in the Roseland neighborhood in the South Side of Chicago, Illinois which stores cars from the Red Line of the Chicago Transit Authority. It is located at 9800 S. State Street, at the intersection of 98th Street with the Dan Ryan Expressway. Currently, 5000-series railcars are stored here.
The Desplaines Yard is a CTA rail yard in Forest Park, Illinois which stores cars for the Blue Line of the Chicago Transit Authority. Currently, 2600-series, 3200-series and 7000-series railcars are stored here. It is adjacent to Forest Park station.
The Rosemont Yard is a CTA rail yard in Rosemont, Illinois, USA, which stores cars from the Blue Line of the Chicago Transit Authority. Currently, 2600-series, 3200-series and 7000-series railcars are stored here. It is adjacent to Rosemont station.
The Midway Yard is a rail yard on the Southwest side of Chicago, Illinois which stores cars for the Orange Line of the Chicago Transit Authority. It is adjacent to Midway station, the southwestern terminus of the Orange Line.
The Ashland Yard is an elevated CTA rail yard in the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, which stores cars from the Green Line of the Chicago Transit Authority. Currently, 5000-series railcars are stored here. It is adjacent to Ashland/63rd station.
The Harlem Yard is a CTA rail yard in Forest Park, Illinois which stores cars for the Green Line of the Chicago Transit Authority. Currently, 5000-series railcars are stored here. It is adjacent to Harlem/Lake station.
The Linden Yard is a CTA rail yard in Wilmette, Illinois, which stores cars from the Purple Line of the Chicago Transit Authority. Currently, 5000-series railcars are stored here. It is adjacent to Linden station.
Skokie Shops is a heavy maintenance facility for the Chicago "L" system, operated by the Chicago Transit Authority and located in Skokie, Illinois. The Skokie Shops are equipped to perform comprehensive inspection, servicing, and rebuilding for the CTA's fleet of railcars.
The Loop Shuttle was a rapid transit line on the Chicago "L". It operated clockwise around the Loop, making stops at all stations. The line was inaugurated September 30, 1969, and discontinued September 30, 1977.
The Upper 61st Yard and the Lower 63rd Yard are two connected rail yards on the Chicago "L" system, located on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. The complex is located on the East 63rd branch, and is used to store and maintain maintenance-of-way equipment. The 61st Yard is the oldest portion of the complex, opening in 1893 to serve the steam trains of the South Side Elevated Railroad. The Lower 63rd Yard opened in 1905 as an expansion of the 61st Yard, following the electrification and rapid growth of the South Side Elevated.
