6000 Series Cars

The 719 CTA 6000 Series Cars were ordered on 12 separate purchase orders, starting in 1950 beginning with car 6001 and ending in 1959 with car 6720. The cars were run in semi-permanently coupled pairs, e.g. 6001-6002, 6589-6590, etc. All but the last pair (6721-6722) were manufactured by the St. Louis Car Company.

To the casual observer these "L" cars seemed to look almost identical. In fact, cars made on individual purchase orders differed, somewhat, between each of the twelve purchase orders. Over time, CTA ordered different motors (GE or Westinghouse), control systems (GE or Westinghouse), trucks (the wheel assemblies--Clark or St. Louis), lights (one or two), seating arrangements (anywhere from 47 to 51 passengers per car), doors (straight-sided or curved), windows (lift up or roll up), etc.

During their service lives, the 6000 cars received many different upgrades to and changes of their equipment and/or car bodies. The 6000 Series cars have all been retired.

Photos

RPWRHS photo C036-0108 shows a Northbound 6000 Series elevated train approaching the Loyola Avenue Station, 1200 W. Loyola Avenue, in the snow. This photo is also L009-0101. Photo 1979.

RPWRHS photo L009-0101 shows a Northbound 6000 Series elevated train approaching the Loyola Avenue Station, 1200 W. Loyola Avenue, in the snow. This photo is also C036-0108. Photo 1979.

Reference:

For details concerning the 6000 Series of CTA elevated cars see:

Chicago's Rapid Transit; Volume II: Rolling Stock/1947-1976. (Bulletin 115 of Central Electric Railfans' Association). 1976, Central Electric Railfans' Association, Chicago. ISBN 0-915348-15-2. OUT OF PRINT