The current rolling stock of the Chicago "L" rapid transit system consists of four series of railcars. The oldest series is the 2600-series which was built between 1981 and 1987 and refurbished between 1999 and 2002. The second series is the 3200-series, built between 1992 and 1994 and refurbished between 2015 and 2018. The third and newest series is known as the 5000-series; built between 2009 and 2015, they feature new technologies such as LED color signs, security cameras, new seating configuration, AC motors, and interior LED signs displaying date and time. The most recent order consists of the 7000-series cars that are planned to replace the 2600-series cars, with options for additional cars that would replace the 3200-series cars.
All cars are tall (from top of rail) and long (over coupler pulling faces). They are wide at the window sills but only wide at the door sills. Currently, most railcars operating on the Chicago "L" are DC power only; the 5000-series and 7000-series feature AC motors although the traction power supply continues to use DC.
Historic/retired
Locomotives
Wooden cars
Metal cars
High Performance
4000-series
The 4000-series cars were manufactured by the Cincinnati Car Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, between 1914 and 1924. They were the first steel cars on the Chicago "L" system. These cars were built in two distinct variants, with the earlier, metal-roofed cars being known as "Baldies" (due to their smooth iron roofs) and the later, wooden-roofed cars being known as "Plushies" (due to their more comfortable, green plush seats). The "Baldies" were equipped with six doors per car, however the center doors were never used regularly. The "Plushies" were equipped with only the end vestibule doors, but the cars internal structure was arranged to allow for the later addition of the center doors.
These cars were built as the result of several distinct purchases (dates are the date of the order, not the actual production date): December 29, 1913: 128 cars: 66 Trailer (non motorized) cars, numbered (4001–4066) and 62 motor cars, numbered (4067–4128), "Baldies", Longitudinal seating (Car 4005 later motorized and renumbered 4456) December 30, 1914: 122 Motor cars, numbered (4129–4250), "Baldies", Transverse seating. September 1, 1922: 100 Motor cars, numbered (4251–4350), "Plushies", Transverse seating. April 2, 1923: 5 Motor cars, numbered (4351–4355), "Plushies", Transverse seating. December 13, 1923: 100 Motor cars, numbered (4356–4455), "Plushies", Transverse seating.
The 445 cars of the 4000-series were the last Chicago "L" cars purchased with air brakes.
When the State Street Subway opened in 1943, the older wooden cars were not allowed to operate through it for safety reasons. The only cars available to operate in the subway were the 4000-series, which eventually led to production of the 5000-series and 6000-series cars.
The last 4000-series cars were retired in 1973 after being in service for over 50 years. Cars 4271–4272 are retained by the CTA as part of their heritage fleet.
5000-series
The 5000-series cars (numbered 5001–5004) were manufactured by the Pullman Car Company and the St. Louis Car Company. They arrived on CTA property in 1947. Only these four cars were ever built. These cars were the first "L" cars to feature the "blinker door" configuration, in which the doors to the train open inward into the car rather than slide horizontally. This door configuration was later used on the 6000-series, 1–50 series, 2000-series, and 2200-series.
The technology for these cars was based on the Presidents Conference Committee streetcar but also borrowed design elements from the North Shore Line's Electroliners. The 5000-series was distinct in that each car was a three-piece articulated unit, the only cars on the "L" system to ever feature articulation. They were also the first series of "L" cars to be wider at the windowsills than at the doorsills to permit more interior space and still provide clearance for station platforms.
They were originally assigned to service on the Garfield Park Branch, precursor of today's Blue Line Congress Branch. They were transferred to the Ravenswood Branch (today's Brown Line) in 1957. The cars were refitted with pantographs and renumbered 51–54 for service on the Skokie Swift in 1964, where they finished their service life. The 5000-series was retired in 1986. Two are preserved: car 51 at the Fox River Trolley Museum, and car 52 at the Illinois Railway Museum.