The “L”

By Lovelyanaya

  • History

    History
    On June 6, 1892, the first elevated—or “L”—train ran from 39th (now Pershing Road) and State streets to Congress Parkway and Wabash Avenue.

  • History

    History
    The first full circuit of the Loop was completed in 1897. Its steel structure was designed by bridge designer John Alexander Low Waddell.

  • History

    History
    In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many American cities used elevated trains to transport their residents. In most cities, those elevated systems were eventually replaced by subways.

  • History

    History
    The first subway opened in 1943, which was the state street subway. The Dearborn Street Subway, now part of the Blue Line, opened in 1951, following a construction delay during World War II.

  • History

    History
    On October 1, 1947, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) assumed operations of all L trains and streetcars

  • History

    History
    In 1984, L service to O’Hare Airport began.

  • History

    History
    In 1993, the CTA started rail service to Midway Airport. Also in 1993, the CTA renamed the rail lines to the colors we know today.

  • History

    History
    Since 2005, the L has consistently served more and more people each year, including several all-time ridership records