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5000-series
The 5000-series cars (numbered 5001–5004) were manufactured by the
Pullman Car Company and the
St. Louis Car Company. They arrived on CTA property in
1947. Only these four cars were ever built. These cars were the first "L" cars to feature the "blinker door" configuration, in which the doors to the train open inward into the car rather than slide horizontally. This door configuration was later used on the 6000-series, 1-50 series, 2000-series and the 2200-series.
The technology for these cars was based on the
Presidents Conference Committee streetcar but also borrowed design elements from the
North Shore Line's Electroliners. The 5000-series was distinct in that each car was a three-piece
articulated unit, the only cars on the "L" system to ever feature articulation. They were also the first series of "L" cars to be wider at the windowsills than at the doorsills to permit more interior space and still provide clearance for station platforms.
They were originally assigned to service on the Garfield Route (a precursor of today's
Blue Line) before eventually being refitted with pantographs and renumbered 51 to 54 for service on the
Skokie Swift where they finished their service life. The 5000-series was retired in 1985.
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6000-series
Main article:
6000 series (CTA)
6000-series
work train cars at the
California station on the O'Hare branch on May 19, 1985.
The 6000-series cars (numbered 6001–6720) were manufactured by the
St. Louis Car Company of
St. Louis,
Missouri and first delivered to the CTA in
1950. 130 were ordered originally with the series eventually totaling 720.
The 6000-series built upon the design of the 5000-series, using PCC technology and blinker doors. Unlike the 5000-series, the 6000-series units consisted of two cars coupled together in married-pairs, the first series of "L" cars to be so designed.
A large percentage of these cars were built using trucks, motors, control equipment, seats, windows and other components salvaged from Chicago's recently retired fleet of
PCC streetcars.
The 6000-series was in service on all of the CTA's routes except the
Skokie Swift. Use on the Lake-Dan Ryan route was however limited to emergencies and during car shortages in late 1969 and during the winter of 1979-80. The 6000-series cars were used by SEPTA on the Norristown High-Speed Line during the delays of the N-5 car deliveries. The last of the 6000-series cars were retired on December 4, 1992.
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1-50-series
Main article:
1–50 series (CTA)
Car 48 at the Halton County Radial Railway museum.
The 1-50 series cars (numbered 1-50) were manufactured by the
St. Louis Car Company of
St. Louis,
Missouri, and delivered to the CTA in 1959 and 1960. The cars were similar to the 6000 series design, but were double ended, single cars, as opposed to the 6000 series single ended, married pair configuration. The quarter point doors were adjacent to the operators cabs, allowing the operator to collect fares without leaving the cab. Like some members of the 6000 series, these cars utilized parts salvaged from Chicago's recently retired fleet of
PCC streetcars.
Cars 1-4 were equipped for high performance test service, with higher horsepower motors, and were delivered in a distinctive maroon and silver gray paint scheme.
Originally assigned to the West-Northwest service, in later years these cars were found mainly on the Ravenswood, Skokie, and Evanston lines.
10 of these cars were converted in 5 married-pair sets and renumbered 61a-b to 65a-b, and were utilized in Skokie service.
The last cars of the 1-50 series were retired in 1999. Seven cars of this series have been preserved by various railway museums.
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