CTA's Ride the Rails: Orange Line Real-time (2019) v1.1 

I used to ride the trains for the thrill of it and listening to my music was awesome. This was my favorite line to do that. So fast and smooth, plus I always felt like the train was flying.

Haven't ridden the Orange Line in 22 years since I moved to Arizona. WOW! Where did the time go? Thanks for posting this video. Brings back good memories.

I've always told tourists that if they want to get a good tour of Chicago, just ride the Orange Line. 👍🏾🧡

Great stuff. I'm a big rail fan, but seeing the Chicago area on the ride is extra fun!

The distance between stops is huge compared to other lines but it's cool you get to go so much faster. Also a way smoother ride over the bridges compared to other lines, makes sense as this is the newest line.

Beautiful I Love the L train CTA and Chicago 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

CTA, thank you for sharing thoses videos

This cured my depression.

18:56 needs a caption for the 13th Street Incline. Also, I think every line should have a direct connection: the 13th Street Incline is the direct connection between the Red Line and the Green and Orange Lines. Also, the 13th Street Incline connects the Loop Lines to the Red Line, which connects to the Yellow Line at it's northern end. Thus, the 13th Street Incline connects all eight Lines, and should be used for passenger transit. Northbound would be the ORB (Orange-Red-Brown), ORP (Orange-Red-Purple) and ORY (Orange-Red-Yellow) connectors while southbound would have six connections: YRO (Yellow-Red-Orange), YRG (Yellow-Red-Green), PRO (Purple-Red-Orange), PRG (Purple-Red-Green), BRO (Brown-Red-Orange) and BRG (Brown-Red-Green).

So great you guys do this. I'd love to see other transit agencies do the same. An end to end front end view of BART would be so cool.

Since we can’t travel during Covid, I’m traveling virtually with the CTA. Thanks CTA!

CTA, thanks for posting these! Really a great idea and execution, I hope this continues and is expanded.

My 11-year-old could watch these all day! He loves public transportation, and you all have done an excellent job with these videos!

"This is ______. In the direction of travel, doors open on the left at ______. (ding dong chime) Doors closing."

I like the "techiness" of this line, this is what the extension of the Red Line to 130th street will look like I think?

dear CTA, it would be the greatest if you could record the train announcements and play them back then it would be a real real, real, real live feeling 😃😃😄 Greetings from Austria 🇦🇹

A big thank you to the person who got permission to mount a camera in the front car of a CTA train.

0:18 Midway 2:42 Pulaski 4:59 Kedzie 7:24 Western 11:35 35th/Archer 13:44 Ashland 15:52 Halsted 20:24 Roosevelt 23:52 Harold Washington Library 25:37 LaSalle/Van Buren 27:11 Quincy 28:16 Washington/Wells 31:49 Clark/Lake 33:19 State/Lake 35:46 Washington/Wabash 36:49 Adams/Wabash

Very cool videos.

26:58 That parking garage is where the Met's Wells Street Terminal existed until 1955.

Wow as you pass Roosevelt ave its amazing how the buildings hug the railroad tracks and how the rocks are colored orange to symbolize the orange line

I have been riding the cta since my high school days (1960s). Always fun! Buses just as much fun as trains. People watching, city exploring. What's not to like?

My line of choice from Midway Airport to downtown Chicago!

Put on captions it tells you all the history and explains everything

22:26 Somewhere in this area, there used to be the Congress Street Terminal.

Thank you CTA for uploading these.

Favorite lines:Pink,Purple,and Brown

would love to see one from the garage

The signal couldn't be cleared until the preceding train left enough room behind it. (The 'station' we're sitting in is no longer a passenger stop.)

The 7000-series from crrc sifang america was almost assigned to this line in september, 2022.

14:40 from Halsted to Ashland my favorite part the sound on the track is very smooth

17:23 Lincoln Service cameo

This is such a well - engineered line, I feel almost like I am in Europe?

I wish more subway system would do the same thing that you guys did, taking those great front window video. Thanks CTA!

How is it that the 2600s have nearly silent motors?

22:26 WOW! Only 80 hours to demolish and rebuild that 'S' curve? That is great work.

1. You are riding an *Orange Line* train heading 'northbound' to downtown "Loop" area. 2. Be familiar with the maps posted in each car & station that are good and convenient ways to help you be planned for your trip--assistance will be provided by your station personnel with just one call away. 3. Welcome, passengers aboard Orange Line run *#915* .....etc. 4. _As you go north _*_straight_*_ you turn across going 'northeast' (after 55th St) and you get to your destination (by 51st St near Archer Ave)_ the first stop--next is *Pulaski 🅿️♿* . 5. Mainly while traveling in the direction, on your left hand side, doors open at Pulaski. 6. You have now entered "Pulaski". "please stand clear of the doors while they are closing" 7. _As you travel and make a turn through conjunction going east (straight)_ the next stop is *Kedzie ♿🅿️* . 8. On your left hand side, doors open at Kedzie. 9. You have now entered "Kedzie". 10. _As you travel until you're right between Western Ave and Blvd (at your destination)_ the next stop is *Western 🅿️♿* . 11. On your left hand side, doors open at Western. 12. You have now entered "Western". 13. _As you travel until you make another turn (after Oakley Ave & 49th St) going straight 'north' but you turn across going northwest as you cross Western Ave & Blvd at 'Pershing Rd' and go straight until another turn occurs after crossing Archer Ave and then you go northeast again (across Western Ave & Blvd) traveling straight until you get near your destination (by 35th & Leavitt Streets)_ the next stop is *35/Archer 🅿️♿* . 14. On your left hand side, doors open at 35th/Archer. 15. You have now entered "35th/Archer". 16. _As you travel straight until you make a short turn (by 31st St) at your destination_ the next stop is *Ashland ♿* . 17. On your left hand side, doors open at Ashland. 18. You have now entered "Ashland". 19. _As you travel after crossing the river and you make a straight line and turn once more until you're near your destination (right by Archer Ave)_ the next stop is *Halsted 🅿️♿* . 20. On your left hand side, doors open at Halsted. 21. You have now entered "Halsted". 22. _As you travel straight until you turn again going across 'northeast' and you go through a conjunction rail (near 18th St) traveling straight until you turn again through another passage (along the Green Line) and cross over going northbound (after 18th St) 'between State St & Wabash Ave' going to your destination_ the next stop is *Roosevelt ♿* (Museum Campus, Soldier Field - Home of the Chicago Bears). 23. On your left hand side, doors open at Roosevelt. 24. You can switch over--if you'd prefer to *Red* & *Green Line* trains at Roosevelt. 25. You have now entered "Roosevelt". 26. 1 27. We would like to give you passengers a "special thanks" for boarding along the CTA's *Orange Line* . 28. _As you enter the "Loop" Area traveling _*_northbound_*_ until you make a crossing (at Harrison St) and you're on 'Wabash Ave' but you then make another turn on 'Van Buren St' (traveling straight) near your destination_ the next stop is *Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren ♿* . 29. On your right hand side, doors open at Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren. 30. You can switch over--if you'd prefer to *Red Blue Purple (if announced)* & *Brown Line* trains at Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren. 31. You have now entered "Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren". 32. You are riding an Orange Line 'headed' to *Midway ✈️* . 33. The next stop is *LaSalle/Van Buren* . 34. On your right hand side, doors open at LaSalle/Van Buren. 35. You can switch over, if you'd prefer to *Metra* trains at LaSalle/Van Buren. 36. You have now entered "LaSalle/Van Buren". 37. _As you travel you turn (after passing 'Financial Pl') on 'Wells St' and you get near your destination_ the next stop is *QUINCY ♿* . 38. On your right hand side, doors open at Quincy. 39. You can switch over--if you'd prefer to *Metra* & *Amtrak* trains at Quincy. 40. You have now entered "Quincy". 41. The next stop is *Washington/Wells ♿* . 42. On your right hand side, doors open at Washington/Wells. 43. You can switch over--if you'd prefer to *Pink Line* & *Metra* trains and *City Hall (if announced)* at Washington/Wells. 44. You have now entered "Washington Wells". 45. _As you travel you turn on 'Lake St' (going straight & east) near your destination_ the next stop is *Clark/Lake ♿* . 46. On your right hand side, doors open at Clark/Lake. 47. You can switch over--if you'd prefer to *Green Blue Purple (if announced)* & *Brown Line* trains and the *Thompson Center (if also announced)* at Clark/Lake. 48. You have now entered "Clark/Lake". 49. The next stop is *State/Lake* . 50. On your right hand side, doors will open at State/Lake. 51. You can switch over--if you'd prefer to *Red Line* trains at State/Lake. 52. You have now entered "State/Lake". 53. _As you travel you turn 'back' on Wabash Ave and straight (going 'southbound') until you're near your destination_ the next stop is *Washington/Wabash ♿* . 54. On your right hand side, doors open at Washington/Wabash. 55. You can make a connection--if you'd prefer over to *Metra* & *South Shore* line "Millennium" station at Washington/Wabash. 56. You have now entered "Washington/Wabash". 57. The next stop is *Adams/Wabash* . 58. On your right hand side, doors open at Adams/Wabash. 59. You can switch over--if you'd prefer to *Green Purple (if announced)* & *Brown Line* trains at Adams/Wabash. 60. You have now entered "Adams/Wabash". 61. _As you leave the downtown "Loop" area going _*_southbound_*_ until you make a crossing (the second time)_ the next stop is _________ . 62. Mainly while traveling in the direction, on your left hand side, doors open at _________ . 63. 24 64. 25 65. The next stop is _______ . 66. 20 67. 21 68. The next stop is _______ . 69. 17 70. 18 71. The next stop is ___________ . 72. 14 73. 15 74. The next stop is _______ . 75. 11 76. 12 77. The next stop is ______ . 78. 8 79. 9 80. The next stop is _______ . 81. On the left hand side, doors open at _______ . 82. 6 83. The next and the "last" stop--is *Midway ✈️* 🅿️♿ 84. You have now entered "Midway", as farther away on this train as you'll go. 85. Please, all passengers leave the train immediately as you are being told. 86. 27

I used to live in that tan building at 12’ o’clock at 22:18 & 39:39 when I was a student and those scraps and bangs were soo loud I could hear them through my closed window all hours of the night 😂

I love you Chicago!

I do find it amusing how the 'Midway' station is the first and last stop ha ha

Instructions: 1. No smoking, littering and eating on CTA buses. It is strictly prohibited. 2. No soliciting and gambling on CTA buses and railcars. It is strictly prohibited. 3. Priority seating is mainly intended for elders and passengers with disabilities. Please take your cooperation as a standard. 4. Passengers: please stand clearly away from the doors at all times while boarding on trains and buses. 5. Make your consideration as the best policy. When talking on the phone or listening to radios or using electronic devices, take cautiousness as to not disturb other boarded customers. 6. Please take your items off the seat beside you so others can sit down as well as yourself. 7. Take importance as your safest guidance. If you have any whereabouts on what's going on: as of unattended packages, vandalism, graffiti art or suspiciousness, inform CTA personnel pronto for assistance. 8. Please be familiar with the train communication and evacuation procedures that are located inside each car.

9:02- 9:54 Anyone else see the abandoned railroad tracks on the left? Just me? Ok

I rode this train on its opening day. They handed out oranges. Rode it for most of the years I worked in the Loop. 20+ years.

1:05:11 pulling into midway terminal

I love Chicago

more Dunkin Donuts downtown than the stations/stops..

Most railways here have welded track and are built for silence, and trains inside and out. Being able to hear your films is a delight from start to end of each. Class A1 soundscapes.

Those goods trains go on for miles😊

17:30.... amazing

I love how the city quickly turns to rural.

WOW! You got freight near your city train?

Best Line to watch

Goodness, how many incorrect signs appeared, considering the entire Real-Time 2019 series has been reposted?

I ride this line to school everyday:)

Can you pay cash for a ticket? Does the parking at Midway take cash?

17:40 wich line is the one runs under the bridge?? I see the bridge and looks sike

24:14 there is a 2600 car with a LED destination sign

Nice nice nice 👌👌👌

40:14 I can see why they called it the “alley L”.

I had no idea the Orange Line was all 2600s now!!

What time of year was this recorded? Judging by the green trees it looks like summer.

CTA Passing Amtraks carl sandburg @ 17:20

When can we see the bus lines filmed like this?

42:57 Oh yeah, THIS is the balcony view I want to pay an arm and a leg for. Make no mistake. YIKES.

It doesn't seem/sound so smoothly efficient. Almost like there's energy loss and not enough momentum going on. Perhaps it's a safety feature or how the rails are put together. Not sure. Thank You for the video. It's relaxing regardless.

16:38 Halsted to Roosevelt

46:17 Halsted to Ashland

Do those freight cars between Western and 35th & Archer ever move?

What's west of 35th and Archer that the train has to go beyond the station there? Looks like nothing.

Did they build new stations???

So all those metal support beams for the track are slowly going to be replaced with concrete in the future right? It's probably for the best, although there is an undeniable charm to the metal braces.

the silent motors on all this work when the trains compared to other lines work

Back when I lived in the suburbs, I would get nervous at the way the driver was relying on the "beep" for speed. Like in this video, they just kept jamming the throttle until the beep told them to let up. It made me feel like the driver wasn't looking and was just listening for the beeps. I dunno...stupid thing to worry about?

The trains remind me off big toy trains there so small but get the job done I’m from Cleveland look at are red line cars to cta cars

17:24 hi, Amtrak Lincoln Service!

I miss Chicago.

Hello, there! 34:42 Location where the last 2 cars of a northbound train (opposite track), in the late 60s, fell off the track, killing about 7-8 people.

Should fix the flat spot on that wheel.

Frank lopresti

You need to put Ashland and what street. Western and ? Street.

This HIGH SPEED connection must be real fun for the drivers when their daily / weekly schedule says "ORANGE LINE" Just D R I V E ! !

The train stopped and waited at around the 30:00 mark. I thought the driver was waiting for the train ahead of it to clear the turn, but it didn't. Why did it stay put after picking up passengers?

Ni'C'e!

I can't help but wonder if the Orange and Brown Lines should be merged into one, with all trains serving either Wells and Van Buren Streets or Wabash Avenue and Lake Street (bumping the Green Line to Wells and Van Buren Streets if this alignment is chosen). Before anyone asks, no, I'm not familiar with much of anything pertaining to Chicago, and no, I'm not just a capacity hawk. From where I stand, they have certain similarities, could actually help foster some amount of ridership crossing the loop, and already have some amount of through-run trips (admittedly, very few, but they exist). And yes, I do have concerns about what could happen with a long route of the sort.

This is wear all the non mask wearers get on