The great thing about railways is the diversity of different systems across the world. I think the Chicago network reflects this beautifully. It's a bit special, very unique. The trackwork alone is an art form.
Turns out grid systems have a lot of 90° corners. Who knew. Also, this system was built when trains barely topped speeds which would have made turning those corners dangerous.
I know this spot!! :) The building across tracks is a hostel. Stayed there a few times when I came to Chicago just for 1 day.. I laid in bed at night and listened to the noise of the trains going by. Loved it! :)
Japan's trains are mostly of narrow gauge so I believe they'll be able to negotiate sharp curves at higher speed, due to lower slippage of the inner wheels
At 17:09.. Notice the yellow poles.. those are "Stingers" It happens time to time that a L train gets stuck on a curve due to the third rail shoe isn't making enough contact.. A CTA worker will come to aid and "sting the shoe" so the L train just has enough power to move forward in order to regain contract on the third rail again.
They have a similar system for the Docklands Light Railway in East London, except instead of 'stingers' because they are driver less trains someone drives another train up to it and gives it a push from behind
I've been playing with these trains and these tracks in Cities Skylines, and they're the backbone of my transportation system. This very video is really what inspired me to start playing that game in the first place. Now that I've spent a couple hundred hours engineering a city inspired by the Chicago L, it's really something to come back here and see the real thing again. I'm also extra impressed now that I'm routinely filling 8-car trains, which I see are a little rare (but not unheard-of!) in Chicago. Love it.
13:15 - 13:25/ Freaking awesome! Like mirror images running in tandem, great timing on those old elevated structures. Would fit right in with the trains rumbling near my apartment building here in The Bronx. Just a great visual experience... 🇵🇷🇺🇸😉
And THAT is why the Loop is popular. High frequency of trains, miss one, you catch the next and get near your outbound station. Your outbound train comes by and whisks you away.
Welcome to Chicago! If you haven't done so already, I would recommend going to Howard and Belmont stations on the north side. At the north end of Belmont there's a good view of Clark Junction and tower, where the Brown Line leaves the North Side Main Line (Red and Purple Express Lines). If you're at Howard, the north end of the southbound platform gives the best views of the Howard Yard, as well as the Red Line turnaround loop, the Yellow Line tracks to Skokie, and the Purple Line tracks to Linden.
Actually when you walk underneath a track In Chicago while a train is passing by you think the world is going down. I don’t know what it is but here in Berlin our „subway“ trains are so quiet that you barely even notice them when they run over the road you are on.
The inside curve on the NE corner of the LOOP is supposed to be the sharpest curve on the operating system at 90 feet. This is standard gauge track. The CTA bends all of the rail in house.
WOWW !! Green, Pink, Purple, Brown, and Orange Lines, all going in different directions ! A most excellent video. A magnum opus !! Aarre Peltomaa p.s. Thank you so much. I really enjoyed this one.
Recently have been there at about the same position. The parking garage is an excellent place to watch the trains. These type of crossings are normal for large tram systems in Europe, but this elevated crossing is really unique.
The Brown line train that make a northbound turn at 5:15 has a couple carsets that originally had pantographs and served on the Yellow line when it had overhead power.
I was fascinated, too, by switch tracks as a kid. Luckily I live near downtown Chicago and get to travel through this intersection on the train quite often. I try to sit in front so I can watch the switch tracks.
Jonathan Wheat that must be soo cool.. I always wanted to visit Chicago just to ride the trains. I’m from the Bronx and luckily I get to ride NY trains daily but Chicago trains and tracking are so interesting
8:17 That's cute... Two train drivers, probably working the same line, beep and wave at each when they cross paths. 🚆🚃🚋🚂 The second train, which beeped back, appears moments later headed in the opposite direction (probably going back home). ☺️
I'm a track worker here in New York. I work for NYC transit. I have never seen an interlocking so complex. It's truly a nightmare. And those no clearance areas. Forget about it. Hats off to Chiraq.
A marvel of engineering and coordination.... After rising the rail system in Chicago I vowed to never complain about the MBTA in Boston again. That vow did not last long. Especially about the MBTA Red Line
Don't know if your been to Chicago for trains before but welcome to Chicago! I live in the South side (sadly) of Chicago. I take the Orange, Green and Red line to Chicago Downtown a lot!
I live on the South Side as well - I have ever since I was born (I'm 19) and even though it has it flaws, it's still where I grew up and where I call home. I agree with the previous comment that you really shouldn't feel shame for living there, especially since no part of Chicago is truly "good", including the North side.
Actually Chicago's train infrastructure (especially in the Loop) isn't so outdated like you think. The former Major put a lot of money into the CTA to modernize it.
@@random8149 It's still antiquated at it's core. But if it still does the job well wjy change it. It's just strage that such a huge city has such a limited rail network.
@@lars7935 what do you mean limited? It puts all other us cities to shame. Yes even NYC. I'm not from Chicago it's not like I have some strong home town bias, but the cta operates wayyyy better than every other network as far as within the city, and metra is easily the best regional rail network aside from the lirr, which is averaged out by the fact mta north and nj both suck
What has to be understood about the trains going so slow in the loop is because of two main reasons: 1) The stations are incredibly close and 2) there are sharp turns within the loop. Once the trains leave the loop and go outside of downtown to other parts of the city, the trains go up to 55mph.
It's not the same to me anymore. When they got rid of the 6000's series, the 2000 series, and then the 5 -50 series cars, my interest in the CTA was over with. It was really over with when they took the old pantograph lines down on the Skokie Swift. The Douglas Park line is so different from what it used to be when I used to live right behind the Central Park L station. All the old steel L structure were razed and dismantled. The Wilson St shops burned up and torn down, the old Pulaski Rd yard on the Douglas Park line torn down, the old Kenton St material yard on the Douglas Park line is long gone, the old Marshall Blvd station and the Homan Ave station on the Douglas Park line are long gone. Can't forget the Kenton Ave station, Laramie Ave and 52nd Ave station on the Douglas Park line, I saw all of them closed up and razed.
The reason the contact shoes on these trains spark so much is either because it comes off the *3rd rail* and jumps back on....which creates the well known *spark* another reason why they spark is because the *3rd rail* or contact shoe might be dusty, wet or dirty. Which in turn makes it harder for the electricity to pass from the *3rd rail* to the shoe. Then *if* the shoe gets better volts it creates the spark.
If you ever visit Chicago for the trains take the Metra or the south shore line and ride In one of their double-decker trains the L-trains are cramped uncomfortable and they smell like piss sometimes.
Every line is great! Green Line is underrated, being the only completely elevated line and offering great views of the cities. It also passes through a number of nice stations like Morgan, Cermak-McCormick Place, and 35th-Bronzeville-IIT.
As a fellow Chicago resident born and raised, I wouldn't recommend it. I mean the staff keep it as clean as possible, hell cleaner than NYC trains I'm sure, but you still may get an uncomfortable ride. Mostly on the Green Line.
I love your video, G'day from the double deck train capital of Australia. I was thinking how awesome that this junction would be with overhead catenary?
Chicago Transit is the best I love taking the train. To Down Town. Airports no need to worry and look for parking. I love going to down town in the spring and summer. It’s just beautiful
The great thing about railways is the diversity of different systems across the world. I think the Chicago network reflects this beautifully. It's a bit special, very unique. The trackwork alone is an art form.
no sir, it is dirty, unsafe, and unreliable. go to any third-world country and their train is far superior to this 🤣
The l train
@@f-zeroracer9767 Best joke I’ve heard all day. I’m guessing you come from a place like India where tens of thousands die on the railway every year.
Very unique noise all days
One think I love about the Australian railways is how each state has a unique rail system.
No one:
Chigaco: Let's build our subway system on an elevated platform, with lots of intersections and tight 90° turns.
FrostyAUT It’s old so pretty much that’s how it went
Turns out grid systems have a lot of 90° corners. Who knew.
Also, this system was built when trains barely topped speeds which would have made turning those corners dangerous.
And yet, the El is a distinctly Chicago thing.
Its because in that area, you CANNOT dig. (This part of chicago)
It’s so we can root our bad drivers who speed as they quit from head injuries after being flung out of there seat round the bends at speed
"How often do the trains go by?" "So often you wont even notice"
By far the best reference you could make for this video!
Louis Jordan - Let The Good Times Roll, playing in the backround
Came here for this.
Thats actually so true. You began to not even notice after so long.
I know this spot!! :) The building across tracks is a hostel. Stayed there a few times when I came to Chicago just for 1 day.. I laid in bed at night and listened to the noise of the trains going by. Loved it! :)
2010: see that on gta iv and looks normal to me
2019: see the real thing and looks completely mad
Paco_bl GTA 4 was New York not Chicago
2020🙌 chiraq
@@_nolan_nolan Watchdog was in chicago.
1950: well have 220mph trains by 2000 2020 trains:
@@_nolan_nolan but my does not use those interlockings
It is a tremendous sharp curve! The Chicago train is also famous in Japan.
Really?
Japanese will laugh at this.....
PickleBetard A.K.A Pickle Rick's Fatass Cousin because of how slow and tiny they are?
huh
Japan's trains are mostly of narrow gauge so I believe they'll be able to negotiate sharp curves at higher speed, due to lower slippage of the inner wheels
Also, who doesn't just love the sound of the trucks rumbling while coming in contact with other tracks?
Anyone living near it.
At 17:09.. Notice the yellow poles.. those are "Stingers" It happens time to time that a L train gets stuck on a curve due to the third rail shoe isn't making enough contact.. A CTA worker will come to aid and "sting the shoe" so the L train just has enough power to move forward in order to regain contract on the third rail again.
nice can you get high on these?
They have a similar system for the Docklands Light Railway in East London, except instead of 'stingers' because they are driver less trains someone drives another train up to it and gives it a push from behind
Been there done that in New York.
@@TapOnX no you can get dead
No one asked but ok
when I was a kid in Chicago in the 1940's, I rode the elevated for 4 cents. I liked the locals where I could ride outside....It was great!!
How old are you 😂
Hemp Rope 203
Hemp Rope He could be 90 years old assuming he was 10 year old in 1940’s
@@Neo-qj2zb ur math is off
ride outside? without doors?
8:20 a horn beep capture, unbelievable
You can hear it all the time at yellow line crossings
Why is it unbelievable
I have many times.
Cause these trains dont blow their horn that often
and a friendly wave
I've been playing with these trains and these tracks in Cities Skylines, and they're the backbone of my transportation system. This very video is really what inspired me to start playing that game in the first place. Now that I've spent a couple hundred hours engineering a city inspired by the Chicago L, it's really something to come back here and see the real thing again. I'm also extra impressed now that I'm routinely filling 8-car trains, which I see are a little rare (but not unheard-of!) in Chicago. Love it.
Ahh yes the metro overhaul mod.
That’s what inspired me to look this up haha. I’m playing City Skylines as I type this.
I haven’t been to Chicago in a few years, and I really wanna go back, so this is pretty cool
FCRS Productions same. Used to live there until I was 10 and damn I feel homesick now.
13:15 - 13:25/ Freaking awesome! Like mirror images running in tandem, great timing on those old elevated structures. Would fit right in with the trains rumbling near my apartment building here in The Bronx. Just a great visual experience... 🇵🇷🇺🇸😉
13:15 That is cool
that's mirror world from Dr. Strange. lol
Omg I was about to say that was a mirror
@@supermarionathan1426
but you didn't & i got 3 likes.
#LaDaDaDa
😎
@@MusicSoulSound ok, and?
@@MusicSoulSound no you did not.
It’s unbelievable for a train to make a 90 degree turning! Loved from China 🇨🇳 ❤️
13:17
Cameraman is me
Both trains are my 2 crushes
xKalphax 🤣
Did you film it from Bill's office?
One is pink line and the other is purple line.
Like figure skating of subway trains. I mean, overway trains. I mean overground trains...
"Damn it I just missed the train. When does the next one arrive?"
"If you look to the end of the platform you will see yet another one arriving..."
And THAT is why the Loop is popular. High frequency of trains, miss one, you catch the next and get near your outbound station. Your outbound train comes by and whisks you away.
Welcome to Chicago! If you haven't done so already, I would recommend going to Howard and Belmont stations on the north side. At the north end of Belmont there's a good view of Clark Junction and tower, where the Brown Line leaves the North Side Main Line (Red and Purple Express Lines). If you're at Howard, the north end of the southbound platform gives the best views of the Howard Yard, as well as the Red Line turnaround loop, the Yellow Line tracks to Skokie, and the Purple Line tracks to Linden.
Also should be a decent amount of activity around there in the coming years as the bypass gets built!
you do cta railfanning aswell? I do it all the time.
I'd never get any work done if I was there... just sitting there watching trains go past all day :)
I love watching CTA videos! Nice shot! MTA has my heart but I love the other transit systems as Well.
the relative cleanlness and the warm lighting on the intersection makes it look like a scale model
I'm wondering if living/working next to those trains is not a nightmare because of noise and vibrations
Actually when you walk underneath a track In Chicago while a train is passing by you think the world is going down.
I don’t know what it is but here in Berlin our „subway“ trains are so quiet that you barely even notice them when they run over the road you are on.
You get used to it. After a certain point your brain completely tunes it out.
Yeah it's not too bad. Honestly the constant blade of emergency vehicle sirens is more annoying and noticable
"The train goes so often you didnt even notice it"
My friend live near Airport 😂
That right there, is possibly the most amazing junction in the entire world.
I like these old fashioned, sparkling trains. 👍🚈 I'd like to see some night footage!
Awesome Compilation
Yeah awesome
That's a sharp turn
90 foot radius.
The inside curve on the NE corner of the LOOP is supposed to be the sharpest curve on the operating system at 90 feet. This is standard gauge track. The CTA bends all of the rail in house.
Two door cars. Tiny.
Those curves are why the cars are only 48 feet long.
80 foot curves the last of them are in the Loop .
WOWW !! Green, Pink, Purple, Brown, and Orange Lines, all going in different directions ! A most excellent video. A magnum opus !! Aarre Peltomaa p.s. Thank you so much. I really enjoyed this one.
I love it, so old, yet so functional.
And you can hear it from miles away :-)
3:39 oh...
That’s 600V right there
People in this comment section seem to not realize that Chicago also has a proper subway that runs underneath downtown
Only the red and blue line tho
I’ve been to Chicago and from experience their trains move a hell of a lot faster than MTA in NYC
Man, if only subway train traffic was more like this in LA! Train after train, after train... In LA you have to wait at least 8 - 10 minutes!
No one is actually on these trains. Take a close look the reason in LA that you wait for a train is so actual people will be on it.
Recently have been there at about the same position. The parking garage is an excellent place to watch the trains. These type of crossings are normal for large tram systems in Europe, but this elevated crossing is really unique.
The Brown line train that make a northbound turn at 5:15 has a couple carsets that originally had pantographs and served on the Yellow line when it had overhead power.
My apartment is right next to the L (trains), and even though it can get loud, I just love hearing the trains pass by.
😀 This is , so classical in the city. It brings me back to the a historical 1900's Chicago . Right out of good movie .
As a UK Railfan, Im watching this impressed.
As a kid I always loved switch tracks.. this video here is fantastic 😃
I was fascinated, too, by switch tracks as a kid. Luckily I live near downtown Chicago and get to travel through this intersection on the train quite often. I try to sit in front so I can watch the switch tracks.
Jonathan Wheat that must be soo cool.. I always wanted to visit Chicago just to ride the trains. I’m from the Bronx and luckily I get to ride NY trains daily but Chicago trains and tracking are so interesting
Finally TH-cam recommend me this video after 15 years 😱
8:22 Is the driver signalling or just waving?
幻光Lumianist wave
Probably both to tower 18 and to the cameraman
Awesome video! I could watch this all day.
Miss chicago CTA , still remember how i used to shift between two different lines , in a common stop at the loop.
There something so satisfying about listening and seeing trains traveling down the rail.
What a cool intersection! Such a thing would not be possible in Germany! Greetings from Lübeck/Germany/Schleswig-Holstein
2:10 Our trams leave the crosspieces at such a speed, and your metro passes such a difficult intersection!
You'd be getting a "light show" @ nighttime at the Loop intersection
Mta plus Cta lol
こんなに急なカーブでも脱線しないなんて……この鉄道凄すぎます！尊敬します
簡単
It doesnt derail because the go slow on sharp curves
Vary cool. I'm surprised at how much arcing there is from the contact shoes though, I'm not gonna lie, I kinda like it.
I was surprised to see you had commented on this Smt
8:17 That's cute... Two train drivers, probably working the same line, beep and wave at each when they cross paths. 🚆🚃🚋🚂
The second train, which beeped back, appears moments later headed in the opposite direction (probably going back home). ☺️
2:12 when that train hits that interlockings, it’s loud, but not louder then the one in plant city
I am so anxious to come visit Chicago. I am definitely gonna transit fan at this spot.
I'm a track worker here in New York. I work for NYC transit. I have never seen an interlocking so complex. It's truly a nightmare. And those no clearance areas. Forget about it. Hats off to Chiraq.
A marvel of engineering and coordination.... After rising the rail system in Chicago I vowed to never complain about the MBTA in Boston again. That vow did not last long. Especially about the MBTA Red Line
what an amazing piece of railroad engineering
Great & epic video as always...I like IT!!! Big like from Romania
*It's like something straight out of Chuggington*
Lol right?
The Aviation Channel my guy yes
Or maybe thomas&f
My thought exactly
been ages since i last remembered that show
A lovely sparking show. Thanks for sharing.
Don't know if your been to Chicago for trains before but welcome to Chicago! I live in the South side (sadly) of Chicago. I take the Orange, Green and Red line to Chicago Downtown a lot!
Eh at least it's not the west side!
Jokes aside reppin the north side here..
Nothing sad about living on the SouthSide 😕. You should embrace it more 🤷🏾♀️
I live on the South Side as well - I have ever since I was born (I'm 19) and even though it has it flaws, it's still where I grew up and where I call home. I agree with the previous comment that you really shouldn't feel shame for living there, especially since no part of Chicago is truly "good", including the North side.
To me, the South Side is the real Chicago. No sadness in that. BTW I'm from the North Shore.
I’ve been on the Loop a few times when I went to Chicago with my dad. That thing looks so cool!
It has its charms, for sure. But such an old outdated obsolete system. At grade noisy and slow crossroads.
Actually Chicago's train infrastructure (especially in the Loop) isn't so outdated like you think.
The former Major put a lot of money into the CTA to modernize it.
The system has been updated and revamped many times and actually works very well.
It actually can get quite fast once you leave downtown
@@random8149 It's still antiquated at it's core. But if it still does the job well wjy change it. It's just strage that such a huge city has such a limited rail network.
@@lars7935 what do you mean limited? It puts all other us cities to shame. Yes even NYC. I'm not from Chicago it's not like I have some strong home town bias, but the cta operates wayyyy better than every other network as far as within the city, and metra is easily the best regional rail network aside from the lirr, which is averaged out by the fact mta north and nj both suck
I lived most of my life in Chicago, and the trains are one of the things I really miss. Especially at night.
I know it's a little late, but congrats on 200k subs, been subbed since 2014.
Its literally a rail intersection!! Tremendously cool
Crazy to think that just 20 MPH is enough to derail on this track. Glad I live in NY!
Amen i'm a New Yorker myself i live in Manhattan East Harlem on the #6 line my stations are 96th & 103rd street
What has to be understood about the trains going so slow in the loop is because of two main reasons: 1) The stations are incredibly close and 2) there are sharp turns within the loop. Once the trains leave the loop and go outside of downtown to other parts of the city, the trains go up to 55mph.
@Digimon’s Republic Xros Heart
This isn't LRT, so.......
MusicLover P RIP R142A 6 trains. The MTS destroyed part of my childhood. I am sad man
Do some research.
It's not the same to me anymore. When they got rid of the 6000's series, the 2000 series, and then the 5 -50 series cars, my interest in the CTA was over with. It was really over with when they took the old pantograph lines down on the Skokie Swift. The Douglas Park line is so different from what it used to be when I used to live right behind the Central Park L station. All the old steel L structure were razed and dismantled. The Wilson St shops burned up and torn down, the old Pulaski Rd yard on the Douglas Park line torn down, the old Kenton St material yard on the Douglas Park line is long gone, the old Marshall Blvd station and the Homan Ave station on the Douglas Park line are long gone. Can't forget the Kenton Ave station, Laramie Ave and 52nd Ave station on the Douglas Park line, I saw all of them closed up and razed.
Meu sonho conhecer Chicago! Muito top a infraestrutura!
1:49 JESUS CHRIST HOW DOESNT THIS IGNITE... the marvels of this system are ENDLESS!
Why can't MTA be like CTA? I have been to Chicago and I loved the city! Greetings from the Big Apple!
MTA has got its good points. I'm from Chicago and I love the MTA; it's my favorite mode of transportation to get around
New York
-ALL 27 LINES 😃😃😃!
I lived in Chicago in 1978 My place was about 5 houses down from the L Twenty four seven One of the best transit systems i have ever used
How do people live or work in those buildings at the floor right next to those rails...Interesting....
これだけの平面交差見たことない。すげえよ。
一日中見ていられる。
Jake: How often does the train go by? Elwood: So often you don't even notice it.
The train layout is so great and beautiful view. 20.12.2019
It’s not a layout
Nice stuff! I love CTA! You should hit up the Metra BNSF line while your out there!
I caught a few CTA trains myself
south shore line too!
The reason the contact shoes on these trains spark so much is either because it comes off the *3rd rail* and jumps back on....which creates the well known *spark* another reason why they spark is because the *3rd rail* or contact shoe might be dusty, wet or dirty. Which in turn makes it harder for the electricity to pass from the *3rd rail* to the shoe. Then *if* the shoe gets better volts it creates the spark.
Finally someone in the comments actually has some knowledge about how the 3rd rail works
いつ見てもすごいカーブですね。日本にはこんなすごいカーブありませんよ。
harumaki makimaki 日本人発見
行った時火花散ってました
京阪京津線にあるよ
本日人発見した
No kidding, the last time I saw or heard about Chicago was while playing Midtown madness. Kudos to the construction though!!!!!!
Those trains sure spark a lot.
3rd rail
It's so cool, this trains are so amazing.
Thanks for the video!!!
Awesome video. Greetings from Poland, +
That's what I love about the CTA: the Loop's historical elevated service.
nice video! i wish i can stand at this place. for me it is the most interesting place in Chicago! I like this sound :-)
This is a real satisfying Video for me 😂☺️🔥
I wish NY would’ve kept our El’s. The ones here look so cool.
They have L's in every borough except manhattan
@@thunderouso6662 The 1 train would like to have a word with you.......
nice job!🤝🤝👍👍🙌🙌
I've gotta ride those someday soon.
If you ever visit Chicago for the trains take the Metra or the south shore line and ride In one of their double-decker trains the L-trains are cramped uncomfortable and they smell like piss sometimes.
It's a great experience.
Every line is great! Green Line is underrated, being the only completely elevated line and offering great views of the cities. It also passes through a number of nice stations like Morgan, Cermak-McCormick Place, and 35th-Bronzeville-IIT.
As a fellow Chicago resident born and raised, I wouldn't recommend it. I mean the staff keep it as clean as possible, hell cleaner than NYC trains I'm sure, but you still may get an uncomfortable ride. Mostly on the Green Line.
I've ridden one when we went to a baseball game
Awesome location ! 👍
This is a cool video- Gotta Love Trains
They should equip this intersection with a smearing paste system to reduce creeping noises in the bends.
13:15 Perfectly synchronized holy crap
Wow
You gotta love the sound of trains going by and going over switches
15:59 Wow, the ONLY rehabbed 2600s teehee amazing!
I lived in Chicago all my life you can get on one train an connect to all the trains in the city on one fare now that's cool.
There are folks that have done in in NYC and we have way more lines than Chicago.
すげぇ！
鉄道好きからすれば1度は見ておきたい光景なのでは？
Congrats on over a million - I Subscribed 👍😎
Great video!! 凄いビデオだね！！
I bet it's a trainspotter's (or 'railfanner's') dream in the place you filmed it on!
I love your video, G'day from the double deck train capital of Australia. I was thinking how awesome that this junction would be with overhead catenary?
Great video. Thanks for posting this. Have a nice day.
I love watching trains. I would have built Disneyland first but Walt beat me to it.
Chicago Transit is the best I love taking the train. To Down Town. Airports no need to worry and look for parking. I love going to down town in the spring and summer. It’s just beautiful