3200-series railcars to be shifted to Blue Line (Chicago: transfer, move)

[Pink Jazz]

According to a site that I visit, some 3200-series cars are going to be shifted to the Blue Line. From what I read, the reason for this move is due to a bunch of reliability issues occurring on the Blue Line that CTA needs to balance the fleet out with more reliable cars, which the 3200-series cars have undergone a rehab. In addition, 90 2600-series cars will undergo a second rehab, which will probably also be assigned to the Blue Line. Some of the 2600-series cars on the Blue Line that don't get the second rehab will be reassigned to the Brown Line.

As for assigning 5000-series cars to the Blue Line, that won't happen, and the Blue Line might not be the first to get the 7000-series cars either. According to CTA, the Blue Line needs electrical upgrades in order to run large quantities of AC-powered cars, and these issues need to be resolved in order to assign such cars to the Blue Line; thus CTA is giving the Blue Line rehabbed cars in the interim, so I'm guessing Brown and Orange will be the first to get 7000-series cars.

[chet everett]

This chronology may be helpful for those wondering how old the rolling stock might be -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicag..._rolling_stock

[Pink Jazz]

From what I read, 100 3200-series cars will be moved to the Blue Line and the Brown Line will get 100 2600-series in return. This will leave the Blue Line with 288 2600-series cars and 100 3200-series cars, and the Brown Line with 100 2600-series cars and 87 3200-series cars.

[OKParker]

Who is getting the 7000 series then? Only Green/Red lines? Updating those brown cars?

I kind of assumed that those are going to be on every line with the 400-900 cars they're producing. Also, do we know any of the features of the 7000s that they're building? I thought I read specs on them a while ago but can't find the article.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by OKParker

Who is getting the 7000 series then? Only Green/Red lines? Updating those brown cars?

I kind of assumed that those are going to be on every line with the 400-900 cars they're producing. Also, do we know any of the features of the 7000s that they're building? I thought I read specs on them a while ago but can't find the article.

The 7000s are supposed to replace the 2600-series cars, and if the options are picked up, the 3200-series cars. If I would guess, they will initially be assigned to the Brown and Orange Lines while CTA performs electrical upgrades on the Blue Line. Once the electrical upgrades are complete they will probably go to Blue Line. The second option in the contract after the 3200-series replacement is for fleet expansion - I think these could go to the Pink and Green Lines, transferring their 5000s to the Red Line.

[chicagodude.1984]

Hope the 7000 series will be equipped with regular standard facing seats, Hate the NYC style "bowling isle" facing crap on the 5000's

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by chicagodude.1984

Hope the 7000 series will be equipped with regular standard facing seats, Hate the NYC style "bowling isle" facing crap on the 5000's

The 7000s will have a similar layout to the 3200s.

[chicagodude.1984]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

The 7000s will have a similar layout to the 3200s.

Awesome

[lepoisson]

Originally Posted by chicagodude.1984

Hope the 7000 series will be equipped with regular standard facing seats, Hate the NYC style "bowling isle" facing crap on the 5000's

Are you talking about the red line seats that are up against the sides of the car and face inward? I prefer these because it's easier to get on/off the train and the car can fit more people. Most transit systems across the globe use those seats as well.

I don't care for the seats that are on the brown and orange line because often people sit in the aisle seat and put their stuff in the window seat.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by lepoisson

Are you talking about the red line seats that are up against the sides of the car and face inward? I prefer these because it's easier to get on/off the train and the car can fit more people. Most transit systems across the globe use those seats as well.

I don't care for the seats that are on the brown and orange line because often people sit in the aisle seat and put their stuff in the window seat.

Agree, I much prefer the aisle facing seats. There's more room on the trains for people.