Yellow Line - Skokie Swift

[315tomr]

This video brings back a lot of memories. I used to ride the old North Shore from Chicago to Great Lakes. 2 questions. What ever happened to the odl Pulaski (Crawford) stop/ And, I see that this line is now all 3rd rail. I remember when overhead wires were in place just west of the Crawford Ave. Station. Tks. for the memories.

[prfsnlwannabe]

@315tomr Since thirdrail has probably overlooked answering your question, I'll step in and answer. It was built in 1925 along with the rest of Evanston/Skokie stops(i.e. Kostner, Oakton, Dodge, Ridge, etc.) for North Side Division of Chicago Rapid Transit, and North Shore Line trains also stopped here. It stopped operating as a station in 1948, and was torn down in 1964. A tiny portion of the platform was kept for CTA storage purposes, and the concrete supports also remain.

[ibilldavis]

finally 10,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ibilldavis]

just 4 shy of 10,000

[ibilldavis]

ALMOST 10,000

[electroscribe]

Great video!!!!

[electroscribe]

Sorry for the typos last posting. done on an iPod. Also remember taking the North Shore from Chicago out to Northbrook in1960. Here they are trying to resurrect the line out to Old Orchard. Good! I live in Seattle now but will come back and ride it when it opens

[electroscribe]

I lived at 5607 Carol in Morton Grove back when the 50's we took big heavy but fast North Shore interurban trains from Dempster Street (Skokie) to either Wilson Avenue or all the way into the Loop! some had "Silverliner" fake streamline paint but my favorites were the old green and red cars. Never did het to take am Electroliner but saw them rip on by! Skokie Swifts just don't compare to the CSN&M although I have ridden them.

[Amtrak1194]

It's interesting departing from Howard....

I find it comparable to taking off in an Airplane but also feel like we [the people of Chicago] have one of the best and most innovative transportation systems in the United States.

[MegaDarkness69]

whats so special about the yellow line..i never seen it.

is it only one stop..lol

[Amtrak1194]

@MegaDarkness69 it's special because it is the only CTA line to run between third rail and catenary and it is also the line running at ground level for the longest percentage of any line in the CTA system

aswell as the fastest line in the system running at 55 mph from Howard until the trestle over McCormak street

[ibilldavis]

Tony, why did you add sub titles?

[kje05]

When was the cantenary taken down?

Pity it was a unique system in north american subway service at least, thames link service does the same in London England. but the swift wastheonly line to do it this side of the pond that I know of.

[howardkevinm]

its not unique my friend. the Blue line in Boston goes between third rail and pantogram also. ;)

[ibilldavis]

remember, fun and games are more important than service.

[ibilldavis]

yeh! 6000

[billed1954]

Thank you for making this video. I lived in Skokie in the early 1960's and remember when the Skokie Swift took over the North Shore Line. I lived near East Prairie School and lived closest to the Crawford and East Prairie RR intersections. I also remember Hamlin Park and seeing the EL complex across the tracks.I always thought the Bridge span over McCormick and the North Shore Canal was also really neat! I wonder if any of those old St. Louis EL Cars are around anywhere?

[ibilldavis]

WOW! 5,000

[mt90945557]

Why does this little two car TROLLEY slow down at 3:30? Can it not handle going fast for an extended period of time? Skokie swift sucks.

[ibilldavis]

The cab signal instucted me to slow down to 25mph. At the time, the first 2 grade crossings, (East Prarie and Crawford) were deteriorating, and was considered unsafe at operate at a high speed. Those grade crossings, as well as the rest have all since been replaced.

[mt90945557]

oh, my bad.

[ibilldavis]

No, not your bad. You asked a legitimate question. Since I was the motorman, it was my pleasure to answer your question.

[Wehategod]

Weren't there more stations on this line Between Howard and Skokie.

[pacmanghostx]

How do the trains get power at grade crossings?

[ibilldavis]

there isn't. it's the momentum of the train.

[pacmanghostx]

Really? Then how do the lights and stuff stay on?

[ibilldavis]

40 ac batteries

[pacmanghostx]

Cool. :)

[PremierSullivan]

Partially this is possible because the trains are longer than any gaps in the track, so the back trains continue to push the front trains. If you notice, the lights and air conditioners die at the moment the train crosses gaps in the power supply.

[ibilldavis]

we passed 4000

[JimmySand9]

Gambling isn't allowed on CTA trains?! So much for my plan to run a baccarat table on the Red Line.

[RayChiTown]

I've seen gambling on the el. Usually the shell game.

[ibilldavis]

Cool, we passed 3000.

[pm0501]

I used to hop on the SS just for fun on my day's off. I just loved riding under the wires on the Skokie leg of the trip. Since they shut it down on Saturdays, I hardly ever ride it. Now would be a good time to revive Saturday & Sunday service especially with the higher fuel costs of running diesel busses. It would be nice if they added a stop at Mc McCormack Rd someday and extended to Old Orchard!

[chicagothirdrail]

The Skokie Swift never had Sunday service--until recently. CTA instituted new weekend service on the Swift both Saturdays and Sundays (although not this weekend due to grade crossing work).

[pm0501]

That was a typo on my part... I ,meant to state "Revive Saturday service and ADD Sunday"! The Old Orchard discussion has been on and off since the mid 1980's. Mc Cormack Road was also suggested as a "Park And Ride" location for limited service to and from Howard but,not to Skokie from Howard.

Another great idea from 25 years ago was what is now called the "Pink" line. As you are aware... it's now in service. Took that long!

[pm0501]

Another typo... "Not from Howard to Mc Cormack"!

[DaFaceManXXX]

There was talk on builder station on Dodge or McCormack Rd. That deal final through

[kes1963]

did i hear on the news where they were experimenting with the "swift" running 7 days a week?

[ohioweatherguy]

Looks good. Now if they would just extend this one mile further north to Old Orchard shopping center it would be a really great service.

[rail64]

This used to be a part of the North Shore Line's Skokie Valley Route to Milwaukee. I remember so well riding those cars through here at 80+ mph. So glad that at least a small part of that magnificent Interurban still survives.

[prfsnlwannabe]

Very nice video of the Swift! Do you know by any chance why the train slowed down around East Prairie Rd. and Crawford/Pulaski Ave?? I thought that was sorta strange, since at least to my knowledge, there are almost no slow zones on the Yellow Line, except for 1 or 2 100-200 ft. slow zone section(s) on the route.

And though I only ride the Yellow Line a few times a year, I still recognized all the streets and landmarks it passed, while watching this video. :)

[cygnusixion]

Track conditions. Could be a kink in the rails or loose ties. CTA right now is having a hell of a time with road conditions on all of the "L" lines

[prfsnlwannabe]

I realize too that could be the case. But it's still a little odd to me, since I know the CTA upgraded all the grade crossing bells/gates in Skokie a few years back. I'm guessing obviously, any new slow zones were established for reasons not related to those grade crossings.

[dumaxe]

residential area grade crossing

[LightMyFire92]

I'm modeling the Yellow Line in Auran Trainz right now. I'm doing it in 3rd rail, though.

[cygnusixion]

How this project comming along?

[LightMyFire92]

Sorry bro, but it's on hiatus. I might continue it eventually, but not any time in the forseeable future.

[M1903A1]

You can really hear the flat spots on the wheels!

[AllenC040170]

I remember from when I used to live on the corner of Lyons and Parkside in Morton Grove, and whenever my family and I have to go to downtown Chicago, we would have to drive up to the Skokie Swift Station and then take the Skokie Swift train (A.K.A. CTA Yellow Line) to Howard Street, and then transfer to the Howard 'L' (A.K.A. CTA Red Line) to go to State Street Subway. MAN DO I REALLY MISS IT BACK HOME IN CHICAGO!!! Great shot of the route!! Thanks fo sharing!!

[chanman712]

the yellow line is fun especially when u r sitting in front! thanks for the entire ride. p.s. i live in skokie

[ibilldavis]

Cool!