South Side Elevated Railroad
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Predecessor | Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad |
| Founded | 1897 |
| Fate | Consolidated into Chicago Rapid Transit Company |
| Successor | Chicago Rapid Transit Company |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
| Products | Rapid transit service |
The South Side Elevated Railroad—originally known as the Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad—holds the distinction of being Chicago's inaugural elevated rapid transit line. It provided a connection from downtown Chicago to Jackson Park, with additional branches serving Englewood, Normal Park, Kenwood, and the Union Stock Yards. The first portion commenced operations on June 6, 1892. Much of its original infrastructure continues to form a key part of the current Green Line within the Chicago "L" network.
This trailblazing transit enterprise established a blueprint for Chicago’s rapid transit system, fostering urban growth and meeting commuter needs through a sustainable business approach. By carefully selecting routes that targeted vital industrial and residential districts, it secured a substantial share of the public transportation market. The railroad's early implementation of electric third-rail technology operating at 600 V DC showcased its forward-thinking approach to transit electrification, enhancing operational performance and providing a competitive edge in the rapidly developing urban transit sector.
Operating independently until its 1924 consolidation into the Chicago Rapid Transit Company, the South Side Elevated Railroad exemplified significant corporate and strategic milestones in urban transportation development. Its influence extended beyond its operational years, shaping future transit expansions and affecting the dynamics of Chicago’s public transportation marketplace.
Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad
The Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad Company was formed on January 4, 1888, and by March 26 had secured a franchise from the City of Chicago to construct an elevated railway spanning from Van Buren Street to 39th Street (Pershing Road). The franchise required building along a right-of-way adjacent to an alley between Van Buren and 37th Streets, which earned the line its nickname, the "alley L".
In April 1892, authorization was granted by the city to extend the line southward to 71st Street, followed by an additional extension along 63rd Street approved in April 1893. Projected construction expenses were approximately $6,750,000.
The first trial run took place on May 27, 1892, featuring a six-car train transporting 300 invited guests between the 39th Street station and the Congress Terminal downtown. Public operations started ten days later. The initial route spanned 3.6 miles, took about 14 minutes to traverse, and charged a fare of five cents. By May 12, 1893, service reached Jackson Park to accommodate visitors attending the World's Columbian Exposition.
The rolling stock consisted of 46 Forney-type (0-4-4T) steam locomotives manufactured by Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, alongside 180 wooden passenger cars each measuring 46 feet in length. The first batch of twenty locomotives arrived as a single train shipment in April 1892.
Offering round-the-clock service gave the South Side Elevated an edge over Chicago’s cable railroads, which required nightly shutdowns for maintenance. After midnight, two trains operated every twenty minutes, while during peak hours eighteen trains ran with three-minute intervals.
Bankruptcy and takeover
Following the conclusion of the World's Columbian Exposition, ridership diminished due to sparse development along the southern corridor. Consequently, in 1895 the Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad Company entered receivership and was sold at foreclosure in September 1896 for $4,100,100. The South Side Elevated Railroad was subsequently formed in 1897 to assume control of the route.
In October 1897, service expanded into the newly completed Union Loop, connecting the South Side Elevated Railroad with the Lake Street, Metropolitan West Side, and Northwestern Elevated Railroads. To synchronize with these companies’ use of third-rail electrification systems, the South Side Elevated engaged Frank Julian Sprague to modernize its rolling stock. Sprague introduced his groundbreaking multiple-unit train control (MU) system—enabling multiple powered cars to be operated by a single driver—marking this as the world’s first implementation of MU operation.
Branches
To accommodate increasing passenger demand, the South Side Elevated Railroad expanded by adding several branches: a 3-mile extension to Englewood constructed between 1905 and 1907, a 0.9-mile spur known as the Normal Park branch established in 1907, along with additional branches reaching Kenwood and the Union Stock Yards during 1907 and 1908. These latter two branches operated on tracks owned by the Chicago Junction Railroad.
Consolidation
In 1913, the four elevated railway companies in Chicago united under the Chicago Elevated Railways Collateral Trust, which facilitated cross-city transit services. This collaboration culminated in their official merger in 1924, forming the Chicago Rapid Transit Company (CRT). Subsequently, in 1947, the Chicago Transit Authority took ownership of CRT's assets. The Normal Park branch ceased operations in 1954, while both the Kenwood and Stock Yards branches were discontinued by 1957. Today, much of the original South Side Elevated Railroad line continues to function as part of the CTA's Green Line.