CTA 'L' 5000-Series Cars: First Day of In-Service Testing on the Brown Line

Just as the title says. Today, a bitter cold, crisp fall day, was the first day of in-service testing for CTA's new, Bombardier-built 5000-series 'L' cars on the Brown Line (formerly known as the Ravenswood Line). The 10 cars are being based out of the Kimball Yard for this period, making several trips a day from there to the Loop and back.

First, an 8-car southbound Brown Line train of CTA's next-newest car type, the Morrison-Knudsen-built 3200s, pops out from behind the station-house and around the curve into the station. The 3200s are assigned exclusively to the Brown and Orange Lines at the moment, with several having been in service on the Skokie Swift until it was converted to third rail; these 3200s still have roofwalks and pantograph mounts.

An 8-car train, led by car #5010 sporting its special CTA logo, is seen passing a southbound and gliding up the straight section of 'L' in the shadow of the Merchandise Mart. It pulls into the extra-long platform at the Chicago Avenue station, then departs around the curve northbound. In about an hour, rush-hour Purple Line express trains will begin serving this station on their way to the near suburbs of Evanston and Wilmette.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• CTA
• transit
• Chicago
• train
• el
• elevated
• rail
• rapid transit
• subway
• metro
• Chicago Ave
• River North
• Chicago Avenue
• Brown Line
• Ravenswood
• testing
• in-service
• Bombardier
• 5000
• 5000-series

[Amtrak1194]

If the 5000's need to be coupled to only 5000's will the CTA still successfully replace the 2200's?

[Nachtwolf1]

@Amtrak1194 Eventually, yes, but for awhile I think there will be a period where the 5000s and the 2200s are in service simultaneously while new deliveries of the 5000s come in. Most likely, a few 2200s will remain with CTA for use in work train service along with the 2400s serving in that capacity at the moment. The rest will be scrapped, but several will go to musems.

[Amea2sxc19]

I dont like that train! It's ulgy on the inside. The outside looks much cleaner though. But I dislike it because the way the seating is made. I dont want to have to face sitting in front of others that gives them more of a reason to stair. What if theres a preverted guy in front of me whos just insist on staring me down? and I cant turn around thanks to the way the new seats are made. im squeshed inbetween sitting of other people and I have little space to move I HATE IT!