CTA Pink Line 'L': Cermak Branch, Cicero to Pulaski

CTA's Cermak Branch is one of the oldest segments of the 'L' system (though it doesn't appear that way, having been rehabbed starting in 2001). It was originally the Douglas Park branch of the Metropolitan West Side 'L', branching from the main line at Marshfield (now gone), and continuing to the Loop or the Milwaukee Ave Elevated via the south half of what is now the Paulina Connector. The branch extended further into the old suburb of Berwyn until 1953, when it was cut back to 54th/Cermak, where it remains today. The former ROW is a parking lot.

From the time the Dearborn Subway opened in the '50s, Congress (later Blue Line) trains were routed onto the branch, at first with every other train going there, and later as rush-only service. In 2006, Pink Line service was inaugurated, with a counterclockwise route on the Loop, via the Lake St line and the Paulina Connector. From 2006, Pink Line trains and Blue Line rush-hour trains shared the branch to 54th/Cermak, but in '08 CTA cancelled the Blue Line on the branch, and increased Pink Line frequency to make up for it.

Here, I am riding from Cicero (the second-to-last stop on the line westbound- 54th/Cermak is the terminal- and the first stop in the suburb of Cicero) to Pulaski, with Kostner in between. The branch runs ground-level here. Past Cicero, the line takes a jog to Kostner, goes through an interlocking crossover, passes under the Belt Railway of Chicago, then becomes elevated, staying that way for the rest of the trip into the Loop.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• CTA
• Pink Line
• El
• rapid transit
• elevated
• train
• rail
• transit
• Cicero
• Pulaski
• Chicago

[oggjoshua]

By the way, what's that motoring sound I hear periodically in the video? Sounds like an electric razor against my ear.

[oggjoshua]

Wow, so many grade crossings.