Nostalgia & History > The CTA's Skokie Swift, Part 2

The Skokie Swift was a huge unexpected success from day one. The single cars (pictures of which I posted yesterday) had insufficient capacity. CTA had four 5000 series cars (5001 to 5004) which were quickly modified for Skokie Swift service. They were larger three section articulated cars. Delivered in 1947, they were CTA'a first "modern" rapid transit cars and began the replacement of the 4000 series cars which dated from 1914. For the Skokie Swift they were renumbered 51 to 54.

1. Heading into Howard Terminal (far north side of Chicago) after its run from Dempster Street in Skokie on September 14, 1972.

2. In bicentennial colors and running swiftly through southern Evanston on April 27, 1977.

3. This is car 52 passing Oakton Street in Skokie on April 12, 1966.

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Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/15 12:54 by MartyBernard.

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4. In Evanston on April 27, 1077.

5. Car 51 passing Oakton Street in Skokie on April 12, 1966.

6. Car 51 leavineg Howard Terminal (Chicago) for Skokie on September 19, 1972.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/15 12:46 by MartyBernard.

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7. At Howard Terminal, date not recorded, circa 1972.


Enjoy the 5000s,
Marty Bernard



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/15 12:52 by MartyBernard.

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The B&W shot is just fabulous! All railfans visiting Chicago should ride the Skokie Swift. They change from 3rd rail to pantograph on the fly. I wonder if it is still being planned to extend up to Old Orchard mall?

Marty. You have been amazing with your photos. They bring back such wonderful, memories and you heave made them very special. Thanks so much .

The plan to go to Old Orchard has been around for a very long time and so far it has been nothing but talk.

BTW, I truly appreciate my photographs being appreciated.

Marty Bernard



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/15 19:02 by MartyBernard.

Maybe the old NS right of way portion to up to Old Orchard could be chiseled back together perhaps, but the longer they wait the harder it is to see how.
Sadly I think the overhead wire portion is gone now too, I'm not sure when but they eliminated it in the same way they did the Linden remnant years ago. I recall when they restored the line back to Dempster St after the NS was abandoned; it was a BIG deal and we all thought then that they might extend it up the valley route to Northbrook etc. But eventually the C&NW took it over and abandoned their parallel North Line freight cut-off, then that was abandoned to and the utility ROW is all that you see to tip you off in most places, even the towers have been replaced.
(sigh)

BTW, Marty I got to ride those 'jitterbugs' in 1980 on a visit to Chicago fresh out of college, what a treat!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/15 19:21 by Atlpete.

Not sure how long ago it happened, but CTA finally installed third rail all the way to the end of the Skokie Swift line, so the last trolley wire in the system is history. The current collectors used up until then could be raised and lowered "on the fly". They were called "pantopoles"--a pantograph collector bar supported by two trolley poles.