CHICAGO — As part of a celebration of its 75th anniversary, the Chicago Transit Authority is wrapping a number of its railcars with designs recalling paint schemes dating to the 1950s through 1980s, and is planning to operate vintage equipment later this year.
A Red Line trainset now displays a green, cream, and orange scheme from the 1950s. Still to come is a mint green and alpine white design used from the 1960s to the 1980s. Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry and Butcher Boy Cooking Oils are sponsoring the wraps.
The vintage wraps are a prelude to a 75th anniversary celebration scheduled for Oct. 1, 2022, at Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago. On that day, vintage railcars and buses will operate in the Loop.
“For 75 years, our dedicated, hard-working employees have kept CTA on track in providing the most equitable, accessible and affordable public transportation in the country,” CTA President Dorval R. Carter Jr. said in a press release. “This is a milestone worth celebrating, and we have both entertaining and engaging anniversary activities planned for our customers.”
It is nice to see CTA celebrating 75 years of service and doing it by wrapping some of their existing trains in old style paint schemes. I have visited Chicago several times and always used CTA services to get around the area. Between the El and bus service you can get to most places you need to by using them or in combination with METRA trains and suburban bus lines. They have saved me many dollars that I did not have to spend on rental cars. I hope they continue to operate a successful service for years to come.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is the operator of mass transit in Chicago, Illinois, United States, and some of its surrounding suburbs, including the trains of the Chicago ‘L’ and CTA bus service. It is an Illinois independent governmental agency that started operations on October 1, 1947, upon the purchase and combination of the transportation assets of the Chicago Rapid Transit Company and the Chicago Surface Lines streetcar system.
For three-quarters of a century, the CTA has connected customers and communities to activities and opportunities, and the agency has plans to celebrate the integral role the CTA has played in the Windy City’s growth and progress.
In the coming months, as the CTA moves closer to its historic destination -a Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Daley Plaza, on October 1, 2022- the public can participate in many fun activities celebrating the heritage of one of the world’s most iconic transit agencies. From commemorative pins and posters, to famous Chicagoans sharing their CTA memories on the agency’s social media channels, to CTA trains wrapped in vintage designs from yesteryear, transit fans of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy the meaningful celebration.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Cool!😎
Neat paint scheme and nice to see some “Heritage” cars in the CTA fleet.
Lawrence Sell: Although I don’t think the CTA saved any 6000-series cars (there are several at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, Il. though), the CTA does have two preserved 4000-series cars, #4271-4272, that are occasionally brought out for excursions and special trips.
I believe they are stored at the Skokie – CTA maintenance shops …..
Yes, beautiful. BUT, the CTA did not have the forethought to save any 6000’s or 4000’s. The 6000’s were in the paint, and attractive.
LOVE the logo, very nifty and appropriate design.
WOW; very elegant — would love to see the whole fleet so adorned.
Very nice!