2400-series (CTA)
| Industry | Aerospace and railcar manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Ridley Park , United States |
| Products | Railcars (2400-series Chicago "L" cars) |
The 2400-series comprised a collection of Chicago "L" railcars constructed between 1976 and 1978 by Boeing-Vertol at their facility in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, with the car bodies produced by Sorefame. A total of 200 units, numbered 2401 through 2600, operated under the Chicago Transit Authority for 38 years before being withdrawn from active passenger service on October 31, 2014.
History
As the third installment in the High Performance Family lineup of five series, the 2400-series marked the introduction of sliding doors, replacing the older folding blinker doors. This design change allowed for wider door openings, improving accessibility for wheelchair users. The cars showcased smooth stainless steel exteriors paired with all-fiberglass end bonnets, a departure from the corrugated stainless steel sides and stainless steel end bonnets characteristic of the earlier 2200-series.
Originally, these cars featured a red, white, and blue paint scheme on their ends and sides. Between units 2401 and 2422, modifications were made to enable dual functionality for both work and passenger service; these were identified by red and white striping. The entire fleet underwent refurbishment at Skokie Shops from 1987 through 1995. These work motor cars remained operational until at least July 2022.
Beginning in the fall of 2003, the vibrant color schemes were removed to unify the fleet’s appearance and lower upkeep expenses. While work cars retained red and white striping on their ends, they lost the side stripes entirely.
Operation
During the 1990s, the 2400-series ran on the Red Line alongside non-rehabilitated 2600-series cars during their overhaul period. They resumed service on the Red Line between 2012 and 2013. From May 12, 1996—the date of the Green Line’s reopening—until mid-May 2013, these cars operated on the Green Line until replaced by 5000-series vehicles. Up to late May 2014, they also served on the Purple Line, which predominantly relied on 2400-series cars throughout the early 2000s and into the following decade. The Purple Line fleet was retired in May 2014 and succeeded by 2600-series units transferred from the Red Line as additional 5000-series trains were assigned there; since April 2014, several 5000-series cars have also been deployed on the Purple Line.
Between November 8, 2012, and October 31, 2014, select 2400-series cars operated on the Orange Line. Their final revenue service occurred during the morning rush hour on October 31, 2014. The Orange Line’s fleet was subsequently replaced by 2600-series cars in anticipation of full deployment of the newer 5000-series trains across the Red and Purple Lines. As of November 2015, the Orange Line has been exclusively operated with 2600-series trains until delivery of upcoming 7000-series cars since all existing 5000-series units are assigned to other routes except for Orange, Blue, and Brown Lines.
In addition to these lines, the series also served routes such as Lake/Dan Ryan, West-Northwest, Ravenswood, and Howard/Englewood.
Retirement
The phase-out of the 2400-series began in 2013 following retirement of the 2200-series cars and concluded by October 2014. Out of the original batch of 200 vehicles produced, 194 remained operational into the modern era.
Moreover, twenty-four units were converted for non-revenue maintenance purposes until their use ended in 2023.
While most units were dismantled for scrap, several have been preserved for historical significance or repurposed:
- 2433-2434, retained at the Illinois Railway Museum located in Union, Illinois.
- 2455-2456, 2489-2490, 2537-2538, and 2543-2544, utilized during a ceremonial final run on January 21, 2015, now employed for CTA fan excursions.
- 2491, transformed into an art installation at Wynwood Walls within Miami’s Wynwood Art District.
- 2503, adapted for training exercises at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center.
- 2541, converted into a lounge area inside a residential apartment building.
These examples demonstrate initiatives to extend usefulness beyond their original transit function.