Last Ride of the 2400s

     In the 1970s, the CTA was in the process of retiring its 4000 Series of rail cars, but it didn't have enough new cars to replace them. So they ordered the 2400 Series to fill the gap. The Series arrived in 1976, 200 brand new train cars with a festive red, white, and blue decoration that was ALL Bicentennial:

     The trains were a breath of fresh air, being the first series to have sliding doors since the 4000 series arrived way back in 1914. By 2003, the coloring on the cars had been removed to both make it look uniform and cut down on maintenance costs. By the early 2010s, the CTA began taking delivery of the new 5000 series, and the days of the old cars were numbered. First the 2200 Series was retired in the Summer of 2013, and then the time came for the 2400 Series to be retired right after the morning rush on October 31, 2014. However, much like with the 2200 Series the cars are being given one last ceremonial ride in recognition of their 37 years of service to Chicago's commuters. That ride is happening today. To start with, it will make two round trips of the Loop before turning into a Brown Line train. After going from Kimball to the Loop and back again, the train will then switch over to Howard where it will mimic the North/South Route on its last trip. The cars will be back in their old livery for this run, as well as having period advertisements and decorations, so that rail fans and commuters of all ages can pay homage to a venerable member of Chicago's transit history.