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Read the press release here.

The 'L' Is Turning 125 — And You Could Get A Present

By  Heather Cherone and Sam Cholke | June 5, 2017 1:32pm | Updated on June 6, 2017 12:13pm

 The CTA on Tuesday celebrated the 125th anniversary of the "L" in Chicago.
CTA Anniversary
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DOWNTOWN — Elevated rail service in Chicago will celebrate its 125th anniversary Tuesday — and lucky riders will get to take home a birthday present.

Trains began running on the city's first elevated railway on June 6, 1892 — and to celebrate, the Chicago Transit Authority will send vintage "L" cars around the Loop and hand out commemorative posters at the Clark and Lake station.

The Chicago & South Side Rapid Transit Railroad Co. built the first elevated tracks from Congress and State to 39th, with trains of wooden passenger cars pulled by small, coal-burning, steam locomotives.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel hopped aboard a 94-year-old train car this morning to ride down that initial stretch of track to the city's oldest station still standing at Garfield Boulevard.

"The investments we're making today will reinforce that it will be around for the next 125 years," said Emanuel, who himself takes the train to work twice a week.

CTA President Dorval Carter said the "L" has come a long way since it was first known as the "Alley L."

"CTA has been working hard to make sure we're still meeting the needs of 21st century riders," Carter said.

Tim Samuelson, the city's cultural historian, was among those on the train with the mayor and he said it was a thrilling experience. He described how much heavier the old cars felt as they swayed and moved slowly down the tracks.

Samuelson was among those who hopped on the old train car back Downtown as rides opened up to the public.

CTA aficionados can nab a vintage poster starting at noon on the Inner Loop platform, which is closest to the Thompson Center and where Orange and Pink line trains stop. The posters will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition, train enthusiasts can hop a ride on the CTA Heritage Fleet around the Loop. The schedule is:

• Noon-1:45 p.m. — 4000-series cars built in 1923 will operate continuously around the Inner Loop

• 1:45 -3:15 p.m. 2400-series cars built in 1976 in their original red-white-and-blue bicentennial livery, will operate continuously around the Inner Loop.

For more information, go to transitchicago.com.


Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CTA President Dorval Carter were among the first riders Tuesday on a 94-year-old train car going down the first stretch of the "L." [DNAinfo/Sam Cholke]


The 2400-series cars built in 1976 are also out today for history buffs to ride on.


The 4000-series cars will be running in the Loop Tuesday for people to ride.

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