Chicago's Public Transportation Names (Aurora, Evanston: school, bus, train)

[HOWELL_STREET]

Although it may not appear so, Chicago actually has public transportation names that make sense. And those names usually define a specific line of transportation. For example, all of the electric elevated ("EL or L") trains systems - - including the subway - - operated by the 'CTA' (Chicago Transit Autority) - - have names such as the Orange Line, Blue Line, etc. All different color names to identify a specific line. A map of all of the CTA lines is available, free from the CTA. You can request it from CTA if you pay for mail postage to your particular home.
One of those subway lines goes out to O'Hare International Airport. Another CTA line goes out to Midway Airport. Both of those lines originate in downtown Chicago. And all of these electrified trains are third rail systems with 660 volts a.c. on their third rail. Of course CTA has bus service everywhere. However, that is not in this discussion.
In the situation of the METRA railroad systems, they originate from downtown Chicago and operate as a 'spoke' system - - radiating out to the many Chicago area suburbs. Obviously due to Lake Michigan, it is a hub and spoke system.
In the case of the entire METRA system, they are named by using former owners. For example the METRA - Burlington - Northern goes through La Grange Illinois and then out to Aurora. That train system was originally known as the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. Later the Santa Fe system was also assimulated. At one time, the Northern Pacific railroad owned that system.
Also, METRA operates the Union Pacific passenger service. That was originally known as the Chicago & Northwestern.
North and N.W. lines are the Minneapolis - St. Paul system. There are also mavericks. That would include the Skokie Swift (I believe CTA) and the South Shore Electric RR.
As you can see, it becomes somewhat confusing. However, that is the way things are kept 'straight' in the Chicago areas.

Carter Glass

[ahava]

Also, the Purple line el that travels through Evanston is so named because purple is Northwestern's school color.