The present Chicago Elevated Railroads are an amalgamation of the four
systems which up to 1911 were operated as independent lines. Under the
unified system of operation a single fare takes the passenger from one
end of the system to the other, except that north of Howard Street on
the Evanston line an additional fare is collected. The longest
continuous ride without change is from Wilmette to Jackson Park, a
distance of 24 miles.
The first elevated road, afterward known as the South Side Elevated,
started operation in June, 1892, with steam engines. After the
successful demonstration on the Intramural Railway this line was
electrified; all steam equipment being withdrawn in 1898.
What is now the Chicago and Oak Park Elevated Railroad began operation
in 1893 also with steam locomotives. Electrical operation began in
September, 1896.
[Illustration: 30,000-KW. CURTIS TURBINE IN NORTHWEST STATION OF
COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY]
The Metropolitan West Side was originally planned for steam locomotive
operation, but developments in electric traction during the construction
period were so rapid that orders for steam equipment were cancelled and
operation began in May, 1895, with electric equipment.
The Northwestern Elevated began operation in May, 1900, and was planned
as an electric rad from the start. In 1897 the “Union Loop” was built to
facilitate interchange of passengers from the different lines, but a
separate fare was required on each road up to 1913.
The population served by the Chicago Elevated Lines is estimated at more
than 1,000,000 people; the total number of passengers handled annually
is about 190,000,000. Trains of from six to eight cars are operated
during rush hour service on a two-minute headway with a maximum of 72
trains per hour on a track of the loop. Plans are being made to extend
some of the station platforms to permit the use of more than 6- and
8-car trains.
An extensive program of improvements to the present rapid transit system
has been proposed, but no definite steps have yet been taken toward
authorizing the work. These plans include a subway section under the
present loop district with several additional elevated lines.