CHICAGO: Transit Developments - Page 603

ardecila · #**12041** Posted **Nov 14, 2014, 12:45 AM**

There's nothing new in that article, all the information was available before the election if you read Greg Hinz' column or follow other transportation news sources.

Honestly, it's pretty scant because neither candidate said much about infrastructure issues during the campaign, it was all about taxation, schools, and character assassination.

On the other hand, Quinn didn't need to say very much because he has five (six?) years in office, which featured a major state capital program and heavy investment by CTA and the Tollway. He also has a well-known support for the Illiana project, which is very controversial.

sammyg · #**12042** Posted **Nov 14, 2014, 4:33 AM**

Today I saw a Brown Line train with LED signs. Is it a test model, or are they upgrading all of the 3200 cars with the new signs?

CTA Gray Line · #**12043** Posted **Nov 15, 2014, 2:26 PM**

A VERY Interesting new development, I was just contacted by Bob O'Neill of the Grant Park Conservancy; based on the intial Study results, he wants to arrange a GPC/GPAC Presentation soon for John Krause and the Superloop Streetcar, and the CTA Gray Line Project: http://www.civicartworks.com/project...opular&phase=1

I seem to remember telling him YES in sort of a daze.......

Randomguy34 · #**12044** Posted **Nov 15, 2014, 5:21 PM**

That's great! This should give more leverage for both projects and should (hopefully) convince Metra to start working with the CTA on this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyg

Today I saw a Brown Line train with LED signs. Is it a test model, or are they upgrading all of the 3200 cars with the new signs?

I remember the CTA announcing in a press release that they would upgrade all 3200 cars to have LED signs for $166 million, probably because the lines that have the 3200 series (Brown and Orange) go to the loop and they want to give passengers an easier way of identifying them from the 5000 cars.

Busy Bee · #**12045** Posted **Nov 16, 2014, 12:49 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randomguy34

...I remember the CTA announcing in a press release that they would upgrade all 3200 cars to have LED signs for $166 million...

Errrrrrrr, I think a decimal point is missing somewhere there.

spyguy · #**12046** Posted **Nov 16, 2014, 1:37 AM**

The new Cermak-State-22nd CTA station has a partial shell by Steven Vance, on Flickr

The 23rd Street entrance of the new Cermak Green Line station by Steven Vance, on Flickr

Randomguy34 · #**12047** Posted **Nov 16, 2014, 4:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

Errrrrrrr, I think a decimal point is missing somewhere there.

Trust me, I wish it was.

CTA Prepares to Overhaul its 3200-Series Rail Cars in 2015
8/14/2013
...
Although work to rebuild all 256 3200-series rail cars is not expected to begin until 2015, the CTA has started the process of procuring parts and operating systems that have long-lead times and require successful testing of pre-production samples. Personnel at the CTA’s Skokie Heavy Maintenance Facility will perform the overhaul work over the course of two-years. The total estimated cost of the overhaul is $166 million.

http://www.transitchicago.com/news/d...ArticleId=3197

k1052 · #**12048** Posted **Nov 16, 2014, 5:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randomguy34

Trust me, I wish it was.

CTA Prepares to Overhaul its 3200-Series Rail Cars in 2015
8/14/2013
...
Although work to rebuild all 256 3200-series rail cars is not expected to begin until 2015, the CTA has started the process of procuring parts and operating systems that have long-lead times and require successful testing of pre-production samples. Personnel at the CTA’s Skokie Heavy Maintenance Facility will perform the overhaul work over the course of two-years. The total estimated cost of the overhaul is $166 million.

http://www.transitchicago.com/news/d...ArticleId=3197

Uhh...the entire mid-life overhaul of the 3200s is what's costing $166M. The LED signs are a much smaller contract.

Quote:

A second contract valued at $4.1 million was awarded to Axion Technologies for the purchase of color light-emitting diode (LED) signs, which will replace the roller-curtain signs on the sides and ends of each rail car that are used to display the color of a rail line and its respective destination.

Randomguy34 · #**12049** Posted **Nov 16, 2014, 11:37 PM**

Thanks for the clarification! I thought it was odd for it to be $166 million. I guess I should read more closely next time.

UPChicago · #**12050** Posted **Nov 17, 2014, 4:47 PM**

Are they going to reconfigure the seating?

ardecila · #**12051** Posted **Nov 17, 2014, 9:43 PM**

No. The refurbished 3200s will retain the original configuration.

The new 7000s will eventually have a similar seating arrangement, but with longitudinal bench seating replacing the weird "single" seating. That is a better balance of standing room and number of seats.

CTA Gray Line · #**12052** Posted **Nov 18, 2014, 7:44 AM**

http://www.redeyechicago.com/news/lo...,2990472.story

Tracy Swartz, 8:48 p.m. CST, November 17, 2014

Since the CTA cut a portion of the No. 11-Lincoln Avenue bus two years ago, Krista Kempe
has found herself struggling to figure out how to go grocery shopping without a car......

UPChicago · #**12053** Posted **Nov 18, 2014, 3:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardecila

No. The refurbished 3200s will retain the original configuration.

The new 7000s will eventually have a similar seating arrangement, but with longitudinal bench seating replacing the weird "single" seating. That is a better balance of standing room and number of seats.

Ok I see, yea these are the Brown Line trains not the old Red Line trains. I always thought they had the best seating configuration. I suggested the Brown Line seating configuration to CTA on the survey regarding seating for the upcoming 7000 series. What all with the overhaul entail just new LED roller curtains, axles and wheels or are they going to revamp the interior as well?

CTA Gray Line · #**12054** Posted **Nov 18, 2014, 3:13 PM**

http://www.redeyechicago.com/news/ch...,1712040.story

Chicago Tribune staff 7:06 a.m. CST, November 18, 2014

All southbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive are shut down between North Avenue and Division Street after a fire engulfed a CTA bus.....

CTA Gray Line · #**12055** Posted **Nov 20, 2014, 6:12 AM**

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wsmXP5Cp2o

The CTA has more than 224 miles of railroad tracks across Chicago and surrounding suburbs, serving the agency's eight rail lines. In an average weekday, there are about 2,200 train trips making stops at the system's 145 rail stations.......

Mr Downtown · #**12056** Posted **Nov 22, 2014, 7:59 PM**

ardecila · #**12057** Posted **Nov 23, 2014, 12:41 AM**

Cool. I take it the opening date is relatively assured?

UPChicago · #**12058** Posted **Nov 23, 2014, 12:46 AM**

That station seem to have taken no time! I wonder how long the Wilson Station will take. What other stations are under active construction?

joeg1985 · #**12059** Posted **Nov 23, 2014, 5:20 PM**

The Wilson stop is supposed to take a bit over tow years to construct. It will not open until 2017. Can't wait!!

jpIllInoIs · #**12060** Posted **Nov 25, 2014, 8:49 PM**

From Chicago Business.com

Lipinski on track with new rail policy post in Congress

"Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-Chicago, is poised to become the highest-ranking Democrat on a House subcommittee on railroads at a time when issues involving Metra and Amtrak will be barreling down the track next year.
His Southwest Side turf has more rail lines than any congressional district in the country, or so he claims. “No one has disputed that,” Lipinski said. “It's just critically important to this area.” His father and predecessor as congressman, William Lipinski, also served as the senior Democrat on the rail panel."

Might help get CREATE's 75th Street Corridor project some initial funding.