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Why the Canada Line froze up

Frederick Linsmeyer • November 25, 2010 • Trains

Snow is synonymous with Canada, but this morning’s snow and the Canada Line did not mix. So why is snow and ice such a frustration with rapid transit lines?

The third rail is near the top with the yellow cover.

First of all, snow and ice can affect how the trains get their power. The Canada Line runs off a single third rail using a shoe that glides across the top. During inclement weather, snow and ice can build up causing trains to lose electricity and thus stop moving. The Expo and Millennium lines are not susceptible to this type of interference because the power rails are mounted horizontally over each other. The trains that operate on these two lines use collection shoes that collect electricity from the sides of the power rails, rather than the top.

There are multiple ways to mitigate the problem. Other systems, such as the Chicago ‘L’, use sleet scrapers which brush snow and other obstacles off the third rail ahead of the collection shoe. A deicing solution can also be sprayed onto the third rail to prevent ice from forming and interfering with the electrical pickup. Alternatively, frequent use helps to lower the risk of build up. TransLink already does this by running “ghost trains” which are effectively empty trains around the system to assist in reducing the build up of snow.

Another common issue is that snow and ice accumulate between switch points which is critical at major junctions or turn-arounds. The Expo and Millennium Lines utilize a seamless type of switch, called a swingnose, that closes all openings to allow a smoother trip. The switch points must move all at once — snow and ice can get caught in the gaps and prevent the switch points from making full contact with the rails. This can be disastrous if a train crosses over where the points have not fully closed.

Frequent use should help keep the switch clear, but a switch heater may be employed to keep the rails warm so that snow or ice doesn’t build up. As a last resort, human intervention may be required.

There’s no perfect solution to prevent snow (or any type of weather) from making the trip troublesome. TransLink has posted a press release on their winter contingency plans for 2010. Besides, it could always be worse.

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Taking the Apple Line

Frederick Linsmeyer • November 10, 2010 • Trains

Armitage is now Nephrus.

Ever since Apple contributed to the renovation of the North/Clybourn station on the Red Line, Chicagoans have wondered if the Chicago Transit Authority would let the electronics company rename the station. The CTA is investigating the ability to sell the naming rights to its stations and routes in hopes of increasing revenue for the embattled agency.

The idea would be to allow corporate sponsors purchase the naming rights to L stations and lines and bus routes. While the CTA is open to suggestions, it’s possible that North/Clybourn might become the Apple station (if not already nicknamed that).

The only downside might be for passengers who are unfamiliar with the system and could become confused or lost due to odd station or route names.

Nephrus is next. Doors open on the right at Nephrus.

I don’t think that’s in the web site’s budget.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

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Chicago ‘L’ photos

Frederick Linsmeyer • June 26, 2010 • Photography, Trains

Looking north from the Adams/Wabash transfer bridge

Taking rapid transit in another city is always a unique experience. It’s a great way to get around and see the surrounding landscape from a different angle. Most major cities have some form of rapid transit from light rail to heavy rail and in varying ways be it above or below ground. Chicago is an interesting case utilizing infrastructure that dates back to the turn of the century along with some of the most recent rolling stock.

Chicago is probably one of the few cities in the world that hasn’t totally embraced the subway and buried everything underground. The majority of the system, run by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), is elevated above streets with steel support structures and embankments, or running down the median of major freeways. The overhead trackage has earned the system’s name as the ‘L’, which is short for elevated. Sections of the elevated structure vary in detail and colour, with some portions in the Loop being painted a deep yellow or maroon. This unique structure makes a great contrast over the modern streets of Chicago, a rarity among most metropolitan areas.

A CTA transit map in a 3200-series car

The ‘L’ system has been growing for over a century and each of the lines have their own distinctive style. The stations in the Loop are a mixture of new and old; decorative wooden mouldings and sheet metal structures to glass panels and steel supports. Other stations throughout the system were constructed from brick with sculpted facades to elegant stone walls with Greek-styled columns. Most newer stations, especially those along the highways, are bare concrete with glass and steel; nothing elegant, but still beautiful in its own way.

Below is a selection of my photos taken on the ‘L’ while wandering through Chicago. It’s just such a unique system where the stations vary almost at every stop and present amazing subjects for the camera. Keep in mind, when snapping pictures on the ‘L’, to please follow and respect the CTA’s photography policy.

Note: These photos were taken over a period of three years during various trips down to Chicago.

System information courtesy of Chicago ‘L’.org

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The Chicago-style hot dog

Frederick Linsmeyer • May 18, 2010 • Travel

Chicago-style hot dog from Gold Coast Dogs

It isn’t a trip to Chicago without sampling some of their unique cuisine – one of which being their famous take on an American tradition: the hot dog. The Chicago-style hot dog looks intimidating, seeing as the bun and wiener are laden with enough colourful toppings to evoke the term “dragged through the garden.”

The hot dog is an all beef wiener, most often of the Vienna Beef brand, which is a local company founded back in the 1890s. The wiener can be steamed, boiled or grilled before being placed in a steamed poppy seed bun with the following toppings: yellow mustard, sweet neon green relish, chopped onions, single pickle spear, tomato wedges, sport peppers and celery salt. Under no circumstances is ketchup to be placed on the hot dog.

You can find hot dog vendors all over Chicago from the street corners to Wrigley Field. I finally had my first Chicago-style hot dog from Gold Coast Dogs at Union Station – and it was delicious. My friends enjoyed my reaction to the sport peppers when I bit into them, but overall it was really tasty. The Chicago-style is probably the best tasting hot dog with its fresh and distinctive flavours.

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CTA unveils new 5000-series cars

Frederick Linsmeyer • April 15, 2010 • Trains

Chicago commuters, rejoice! The CTA is rolling out the long awaited 5000-series rail cars on the Red Line in the coming weeks. Currently, the Red Line runs the 2600-series cars, most of which date back to the early 1980s. The 5000-series will be tested on the other lines as well to ensure they are able to handle rush hour crowds and the city’s temperamental weather.

While the new cars have the appearance of the existing 3200-series that are already in service on the Brown, Orange and Yellow Lines, there are many distinct amenities on-board. New digital destination signs replace the familiar coloured roller curtains, improved lighting inside with glow-in-the-dark flooring to assist in alighting during emergencies, security cameras for enhanced passenger safety, interior destination displays with electronic maps, and updated air conditioning and heating elements for comfort. The side doors have been revised with enhanced sensors and visual displays to alert passengers when they are about to close. For passengers using wheelchairs, new spaces have been provided to allow handicapped passengers enjoy a safer ride.

Another major change is an updated seating arrangement — instead of the traditional forward/backward facing seats, the seats will face the aisle to allow more standing passengers. As a result, additional stanchions have been added to accommodate support for commuters that are holding on.

The Bombardier-built 5000-series will eventually replace the ageing 2200 and 2400-series which have been in service since the late 1960s and mid-1970s respectively.

Check out the photos of the new 5000-series cars on CTA’s flickr photostream. View the full press release on the CTA web site.

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Got change? Take the train!

Frederick Linsmeyer • December 28, 2009 • Trains

Chicago 'L'

If you’re planning to head out on New Year’s Eve, why not take the train or bus? The CTA is offering penny rides, starting from 8:00 pm CST, Thursday, December 31^st 2009 until 6:00 am CST, Friday, January 1^st 2010, where passengers pay only one cent to ride.

Trains and buses will be running on the Sunday/Holiday schedule for New Year’s Day.

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CTA fare hike averted

Frederick Linsmeyer • November 12, 2009 • News, Trains

Your wallet won't feel as light when taking transit.

A sigh of relief is being heard throughout the Chicago region as state and transit officials reached an agreement that would see CTA fares stay at their current prices.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn worked with officials to use capital funds, which are meant for new projects, expansion, and equipment upgrades, towards paying employees and for day-to-day operations. This deal would mean that the $3 fare to ride the ‘L’ would be held off.

The CTA is facing a $300 million deficit for 2010 which would increase over the next few years.

Sources: MSNBC, Chicago Sun-Times

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CTA Fare Hikes and Service Reductions

Frederick Linsmeyer • October 13, 2009 • News, Trains

Passengers could be paying $3.00 for one of these.

Chicago commuters are facing fare hikes and service reductions on the CTA. Due to declining sources of public funding and the current economy, CTA President, Richard L. Rodriguez, detailed changes for bus and rail service for the 2010 budget.

The good news is that no bus or rail routes will be removed. However, service will be at lower frequencies and either start later or end earlier – Night Owl and rush hour service will not be impacted.

Bus fares are expected to rise 25 cents to $2.50 and rail fares will increase by 75 cents to $3.00. Passes will also increase – $8 for the 1-Day pass, $18 for the 3-Day pass, $30 for the 7-Day pass and $110 for the 30-Day pass. Reduced and Transfer fares will remain unchanged.

All service changes and fare increases are set to take place starting February 7^th, 2010.

This budget will be presented during a meeting in November 2009 to the RTA and Cook County Board. The transit authority must submit a balanced budget to the RTA before November 15^th, 2009 and must be approved by the RTA before the end of the year.

See the full proposed budget on the CTA web site.

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Chicago loses the 2016 Olympics

Frederick Linsmeyer • October 2, 2009 • News

Chicago

The International Olympic Committee announced today who would be hosting the Olympic Games in 2016. Unfortunately, the city of Chicago, which was believed to make it to the final round of voting against Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Tokyo, Japan; and Madrid, Spain, had been dropped after the first vote. Not even presentations from the President of the United States, Barack Obama, and various other celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, were able to woo the sporting organization.

Rio de Janeiro has been chosen to host 2016 Olympics, making it the first time the event has ever been held in South America.

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Possible new Green Line stop

Frederick Linsmeyer • September 16, 2009 • News, Trains

CTA Pink Line at Quincy

The Chicago Sun-Times overheard the CTA talking about a new station on the Green Line near the Museum Campus and Soldier Field. While there are no plans for this stop at either Cermak Road or 18^th Street in the immediate future, there is a need for a station on the Near South Side in the 2.5 mile gap between Roosevelt and 35-Bronzeville-IIT. Unfortunately, the Green Line is plagued with a few significant stretches of track where there are no stations.

Up until 1978, there was a station on Cermak Road, but was closed and removed due to budget cut backs.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

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