CTA Ride the Rails: Orange Line in Real Time 

i take the orange line i remember when i was 9 my grandma picked me up from school then go to the orange line then get off at Roosevelt and take the bus to my moms work and she picked me uo and my grandma left to go to the hospital then my mom and me went back home.....cta is a big part of my childhood

Every time I see two trains passing each other, whether in this video, on my model railroad club's layout, or elsewhere, I imagine they're saying something like this: "Morning, Charles." "Morning, Frank."

There is also an entire walkable tunnel network for the winters to avoid the freezing wind and ice. I worked there and didn’t know about it until I got off the train once and wondered where all the passengers on the train went because I was the only one walking the streets. So the next day I followed everyone and they all went downstairs into a warm tunnel! It was like another city! Shops and bars and cafes and restaurants. I found my way to my office building and since then never walked street level again in the winter. I’d buy my favorite cookies on the way home too. What a time I had in Chicago. My favorite American city. It’s a gem and I want to live there again.

I never realized that 'commuting' in Chicago Land from my easy chair here in Houston could be this fun!

I like these videos for a lot of different reasons. It's relaxing, the video and sound quality are excellent. Then there's the pure engineering aspect; the math required to fit between buildings, the amount of cement and steel required to build something on this scale, the resources required to maintain this level of service. It's all pretty amazing to me.

Those elevated tracks are just awesome, very impressive, there is no city like Chicago by that means. Really enjoyed it.

I feel like every transit agency should do this.

Impressive video. I had no idea Chicago had such a great transit system. The elevated tracks are incredible!

This video is a railfan's paradise. The ride along Belt and seeing all the rolling stock, green line trains and circling the Loop. Not to mention a smooth, fast ride especially with 2.0 speed settings. Great video!!

Real journey experience from the comforts of home !

For years I have dreamed of riding all the CTA lines everyday... Thank you for granting that wish. I would appreciate a Purple Line express video, and the ability to transfer to trains...My Android doesn't allow it.

Omg that city is so beautiful

I'm from Europe...I am very impressed! Great!!!

There is this portion from 35:20 down to and past Roosevelt that gives this incredible sensation of running through a tight crease in the city. It has a snug, urban closeness.

Very neat idea of the Chicago Transit Authority to post these videos.

Your service employees are so brave, I really admire them.

It would be fun to watch this in snow or rain.

If there's something I've been doing sometimes since 2016 is watching all these "CTA Ride the Rails" while listening to the "SimCity 3000" soundtrack in the background. It's relaxing, and the Chicago Loop is really a beautiful part of the city. I hope I'll see it by myself someday. Cheers from São Paulo, Brazil.

These are fantastic videos so my thanks to the CTA for producing them ... I have visited Chicago twice and have ridden the 'L' and thoroughly enjoyed it ... now I can ride it from the comfort of my own home on my large computer and TV screen. Thanks again to the CTA. From the Province of Ontario, Canada.

That is one amazing system.

As a Chicagoan that's both been to New York and watched many of the NYC subway's videos, our city is so much cleaner and less tagged up.

If you listen carefully in some parts (I caught it during Quincy), you *can* hear the announcements. :) Also I like how the CTA employees are clearly in on this and that they did it during a non-rush hour.

SUPER Videos und vielen Dank dafür. Ich finde es total genial wie das ganze Schienennetz gebaut wurde. Und Ich bin wirklich super beeindruckt wie die Bahn zwischen den Hochhäusern hindurchfährt. Das sieht für Mich persönlich super GEIL aus. Ich würde wirklich liebend gern mal mit so einer Bahn mitfahren und neben dem Lokführer sitzen...SUPER..!!!!

I Loooove the ORANGE LINE, I love the ORANGE LINE when I'm on the HOLIDAY TRAIN.

Wow! Great tour right from my bedroom!

Thank you for posting this! I don't know if I will ever make it to Chicago in my lifetime, but I feel that I just visited while watching here from California!

CTA Orange Line The "Loop" sign (or neon) _going Northbound and _Eastbound_ : _doors closing_ #1 Instruction I- Smoking, littering and eating are prohibited on CTA vehicles.(Original instruction "Smoking, littering and playing radios or loud devices is prohibited.") #2 Instruction II- Soliciting and gambling are prohibited on CTA vehicles. (Original instruction " Soliciting on CTA trains is prohibited. Violators will be arrested!") #3 Instruction III- Priority seating is intended for the elderly and passengers with disabilities. Your cooperation is requested. #4 Instruction II- Please keep your belongings off the seat next to you so others may sit down. #5 Instruction V- Standing passengers, please do not lean against the doors. #6 Instruction VI- Please be considerate when talking on your phone or listening to electronic devices so as not to disturb other customers. #7 Instruction VII- Please familiarize yourself with the train communication and evacuation procedures posted in each car. #8 Instruction VIII- Your safety is important. If you observe unattended packages, vandalism or suspicious activity, inform CTA personnel immediately! #9 This is an Orange Line train _to Downtown_ (or the "Loop" ) . #10 Welcome aboard Orange Line *run* 000 #11 Pulaski is next. #1a _In the direction of travel_ doors open on the left _at Pulaski_ . #12 This is *Pulaski* 🅿️♿ . #13 Kedzie is next. #1b Doors open on the left _at Kedzie_ . #14 This is *Kedzie* ♿🅿️ . #15 Western is next. #2a Doors open on the left _at Western_ . #16 This is *Western* 🅿️♿ . #17 Thirty-fifth or "35th"/Archer is next. #2b Doors open on the left _at Thirty-fifth/Archer_ . #18 This is *35/Archer* 🅿️♿ . #19 Ashland is next. #3a Doors open on the left _at Ashland_ . #20 This is *Ashland* ♿ . #21 Halsted is next. #3b Doors open on the left _at Halsted_ . #22 This is *Halsted* 🅿️♿ . #23 Roosevelt is next. #4a Doors open on the left _at Roosevelt_ . #24 Transfer to *Red* , and *Green Line* trains at Roosevelt. #25 This is *Roosevelt* ♿ . #26 Thank you for riding the CTA *Orange Line* ! The " Midway ✈️ " sign (or neon): The "Loop" (or "Downtown") area: #27 Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren (originally "Library-State/Van Buren" ) is next. #4b Doors open on the right _at Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren_ . #28 Transfer to *Red* *Blue* *Purple (weekday rush only)* and *Brown Line* trains at Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren. #29 This is an Orange Line train _to Midway_ . #30 This is *Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren* ♿ . #31 LaSalle/Van Buren is next. #5a Doors open on the right _at LaSalle/Van Buren_ . #32 Transfer to *Metra* trains at LaSalle/Van Buren. #33 This is *LaSalle/Van Buren* . #34 Quincy is next. #5b Doors open on the right _at Quincy_ . #35 Transfer to *Metra* and *Amtrak* trains at Quincy. #36 This is *QUINCY* . #37 Washington/Wells is next. #6a Doors open on the right _at Washington/Wells_ . #38 Transfer to *Pink Line* and *Metra* trains + *City Hall (weekday only)* at Washington/Wells. #39 This is *Washington/Wells* ♿ . #40 Clark/Lake is next. #6b Doors open on the right _at Clark/Lake_ . #41 Transfer to *Green* *Blue* *Purple (weekday rush only)* and *Brown Line* trains + the *Thompson Center (weekday only)* at Clark/Lake . #42 This is *Clark/Lake* ♿ . #43 State/Lake is next. #7a Doors open on the right _at State/Lake_ . #44 Transfer to *Red Line* trains at State/Lake. #45 This is *State/Lake* . #46 Randolph/Wabash (demolished and in non-existence 'since 2017' for the new "Washington/Wabash" station opened *late-summer* of that year) is next. #7b Doors open on the right _at Randolph/Wabash_ . #47 Transfer to *Metra* and *South Shore* trains at Randolph/Wabash. #48 This is *Randolph/Wabash* . #49 Madison/Wabash (demolished in 2015 *for the reconstruction of the 'Washington/Wabash' station* ) is next. #8a Doors open on the right _at Madison/Wabash_ . #50 This is *Madison/Wabash* . #51 Adams/Wabash is next. #8b Doors open on the right _at Adams/Wabash_ . #52 Transfer to *Green* *Purple (weekday rush only)* and *Brown Line* trains at Adams/Wabash. #53 This is *Adams/Wabash* . #54 Roosevelt #9a _In the direction of travel_ doors open on the left _at Roosevelt_ . The "Midway" Branch _Going Southbound_ and _Southwest_ : #55 Halsted #56 Ashland #57 Thirty-fifth or "35th"/Archer #58 Western #59 Kedzie #60 Pulaski #10a _Doors open on the left_ at Pulaski . #61 Midway is next. #62 This is *Midway* ✈️🅿️♿ _as far as this train goes_ . #63 All passengers must leave the train.

I have added this video to the playlist 'long cab rides'. I have reviewed hundreds of cab ride videos and added the ones I think are the best.

Am I the only one that gets off on this like that? Whatever. Thanks CTA. You never thought you would be inspirational.

CTA reminds me of TV series "Kolchak" and "Chicago" (rock band).

What a fantastic idea! I love the ability to change lines too.

Real workmanship building construction here with raised still decking, saw some really detailed track works and junctions, the system is complex and organised, wondered whether the system was used automatic trains due the apparent lack of signals, also noticed that on some occasions, no barriers to stop any possible derailed trains.

this is amazing! I'm considering writing to Hamburg transport authority to upload a similar project as there are quite a few elevated lines in that city.

19:34 it must be a joy to live in that flat :DD also I'm impressed with the speed of the first part but when it's in the inner part of the city it seems a little slow anyways, this video is so cool, enjoyed every minutes of it

I've watched quite a few of these excellent videos.. I still can't believe people live, eat dinner and sleep within feet of a train going 55-70 mph.

It's funny watching the workers on the side of the tracks with their hands in the air like look mom I'm doing nothing

I'm an architectural designer (architectural professional in a firm but without a license for those wondering) in Minneapolis wishing that I lived in a city that let us build skyscrapers. And one that had a metro rail system.

Fantastic ride on the 'L'. All thanks to CTA. They have made it possible to travel by subway from one's own bedroom. Want to try the Green Line, that is from Harlem to Ashland 63. Am requesting CTA to produce the video.

Kudos, excellent video my friend.

Once free of the constraints of the city core it flies with a kind of betracked soaring. Only the sounds of the wheels tell us it is not airborne. This Orange Line could displace the Brown Line as my favorite.

Chicago uses existing right of way most of their lines run with train lines or expressways. Building the stations is actually easy and cheaper

wow ...is the whole train ride in Chicago ? its so big ...greets from Holland where everything is small

At the 25:48 mark, there used to be tracks going straight on to the old Garfield Park L. It was demolished to make way for the Eisenhower Expy. and the current Blue Line.

Those trains pick me up to forest park

YESSS CLARK AND LAKE STANS RISE UP

just fabulous

These are all very cool.

The seeming eternality of the vanishing point. Trackety-clackity of the wheels. Rattlety-clatter of the cars. Stately, speeding sweep of curves that do not end in haste for all the swiftness, but arc on and on, moment to moment, only enough to invoke serene patience. Then, again, vanishing point.

Speedy Cars they accelerate quick! Very few places in NYC with that type of Space between Stations.

Rolling into the Harold Washington Library station, watch on the left, that's the Old Colony Building, aka where the INS in Kolchak, The Night Stalker was located, the L trains going by that iconic window lead into every episode.

Moving to Chicago this year or beginning of next and I’m familiarizing myself with this cta system

Amazing!

These videos are great. Would be even better as 360 videos.

My sister has lived in Chicago most of her life. I see now why she has never had to own an automobile.

there is a rumor that the Orange line will be extended from Midway Airport to Ford City Mall.

Wow that's a real long black train!

Great view of the Chicago skyline at 2:15.

I can't believe people literally live right next to the tracks. The buildings are so close and the windows are level to the tracks. I know not all of the buildings are condos, but some are. I hope their bedrooms are at that end of the units.

Can I assume that this train picks up its power off that third rail I see??

I live in England and when ever I get a chance to go to London, I always like going on The London Underground aka The Tube.

When the orange line started in 1993, the stations had all names printed in blue before they were changed a decade ago. They were either printed in grey, black, or with a color-coded stripe on each side of them. The green line started with this for the northwest side on Lake Street, with: Central, Laramie, Cicero, Pulaski (new station in 2001 and still to this day), Kedzie, California, Ashland, and Clinton. And for south side stations, 35th-Bronzeville-IIT, (in 1996) that was the then-'Tech-35th' station, Indiana, 43rd, 47th, 51st, Halsted (new station in 1996), Racine (closed to this day since 1994), and Ashland; now named Ashland/63rd (in 2012). The station has some improvements on the stairs on the east side (entrance and farecard machines) and the west side (no entry, or out) but it still stands today since 1969 when it first opened. The Garfield station is seen today on the North side of the street where you can take the 55 Garfield bus West to Midway Airport: Orange Line terminal. The south side of the street where the station used to be is no longer there since 2001 after it was demolished; it was in blue signage before the CTA became color-coded for the L in 1993. The Orange Line stations were all done in blue signage before or after the color-coded era for the L began; all stops except for Ashland, and Roosevelt (also in blue signage) does not have a park and ride. It has about seven stops, including a bus terminal, an elevator, escalator, and a stairway for each stop in addition to Roosevelt, or they can have at least a Dunkin Donuts or a Gateway newsstand. Except for Roosevelt, it doesn't have a bus terminal. Early in 2005, the signage was changed to a dark-grey tone for Pulaski, Kedzie, Western, 35th/Archer, Ashland, Halsted, and Roosevelt. The Midway station has an orange stripe on each side of the station name with an airplane image in grey to this day. It was originally designed in blue. The Orange Line goes around the loop downtown. It makes its turn on Van Buren Street: State/Van Buren ( now the rebuilt station, Library-State/Van Buren (1997) ); the signage was changed to Harold Washington Library -State/Van Buren in 2010; the station still remains to this day, and LaSalle/Van Buren. The track turns on Wells street with the stations: Quincy; in capital letters, and Washington/Wells (1995 and still to this day). The station, LaSalle/Van Buren, was originally printed in blue but was changed to a grey tone with a multicolored stripe on each side in the late 1990s. Turning right again (on Lake Street): Clark/Lake, which is a blue line station also, where you make transfer there to the subway, and State/Lake (where you transfer to the Red Line Subway from Lake on State, and turning right again back on Wabash Avenue: Randolph/Wabash, Madison/Wabash (demolished in 2015 ) for plans on a Washington/Wabash station; the work on it is not yet complete until early maybe or later in 2017, and Adams/Wabash. All stations from Lake Street to Wabash Avenue had their names changed to a dark grey tone with a multicolored stripe on each (for orange, green, pink, purple and brown lines) in 2009. The elevated track on Wabash Avenue used to turn East or West through the middle of Harrison street to the loop or Midway, but now runs across the "Self Park" parking lot today since 2003.

Super Duper Cool!!!!

very cool

I wanna see a orange line extension to ford city mall as originally planned

At the 22:43 mark, I can never forget how curvy these tracks were in the past when I rode the green line train. It was so curvy it was shaped like an "S." I'm so happy they modified it. This is the perfect curve here. I love riding the orange line since I work as an Administrative Assistant @ the Harold Washington Library. Going home, I get off @ Kedzie and it's just a 1/2-block walk to my house. @ the 28:31 mark, are they building another train stop?

Because this line was built in the 1980's, it is much more hi-tech than most CTA lines? I feel like i am in Europe :)

the 2nd locomotive at 50:53 is a one of a kind experimental paint scheme

I've been on the orange line lot because I wanted to Burger King on Pulaski to get something to eat or go to Connies Pizza on Archer Ave and I had a fun time .

A lot of sat dishes at 20:47

When this line gets out of the city it gets similar to Japan’s commuter rail system. Except this one doesn’t have pantographs.

Seen this way the city looks even better than when walking down the streets as those elevated metro lines look like chit from below.

This could be addictive... :D

Perfect

i like cta

Question of the day... How does the signalling work on the CTA trains? I do not see any signals alongside the tracks, so i suppose its transferred directly to the drivers dashboard. Is it similiar to the ETCS (European Train Control System)?

Boy, I'm glad I got out of Chicago when I did. Was born and raised on the southwest side by Midway Airport. Would never want to go back there again.

I would love to have that first set of crossovers in HO guage.

The Chicago subway system are different than ours in New York.

CTA should create another rail Line

Nice 1

Interesting. Some parts reminded me of NYC's MTA Far Rockaway line and other parts of it remind of the PATH in Jersey City

It must be incredible to hear the echos from the horn. Try posting one with the horn blowing in the city limits ...

Perfect. All videos should be shot through the front window of the engineer'scab.

This will be even better if the real announcements were used.

Nice video! At 39:24, why does the train make a stop. I'm curious because there is no station and no signal there.

No mechanical/door/sick customer/signal/unauthorized person on tracks issues on this one 😂

Chitown has railroads period! Using existing ROW is smart efficient the routes exist so chea

How many round trips do the operators make per shift ? Do they get breaks for coffee/lunch ?

que lindo,es la unica forma que tengo de conocer!!!!

Is all block signalling in the cab? Don't see any blocksignal lights on the right of way.

15:21 me standing there, with my boom box, 📻🎶

2020 cool

These videos are amazing, but the links don't work to change lines!

I operate on the orange line it's real time

Do CTA trains run by Central Train Control or by motorman?

Surprised that there is no greasing mechanisms on the trains for those bends.

This video certainly wasn't taken during rush hour.

Norfolk Southern GP38-2 High hood! 9:15 on the left!!

im curious whats the 3rd rail voltage in chicago as over here in the uk its 750 volts DC 3rd rail

anybody out there know which line that is which paralells us oout of Midway? I think it is the BRC?