The last run of the 6000-series CTA cars, 1992
The 6000-series “L” cars ran throughout the CTA’s rapid-transit system for about 40 years. The last of these workhorses was taken out of revenue service in 1992.
“On December 4, 1992, the Chicago Transit Authority reached a milestone when it retired the last of its 6000-series ‘L’ cars that had been in service since the 1950’s.”
From 1992 CTA pamphlet, CTA Replaces Last 6000-Series ‘L’ Cars
“CTA ordered the first 130 cars in the 6000 series from the St. Louis Car Company less than a year after the agency was organized in 1947, and delivery began in August, 1950. Another 70 units arrived in 1951 The original 200 cars were just the beginning of a modernization process that CTA wanted to accelerate to remove from service the remaining turn-of-the-century wooden units still in operation.”
CTA memorandum to “All Concerned, Rail” dated November 20, 1992
“The 6000’s are scheduled to make their last runs on the Ravenswood line Friday, December 4, 1992. One six car train will be used in the A.M. and P.M. rushes. The consist will be 6101-6102 and 6599-6600 on the ends and a third unit in the middle. The middle unit will carry an outside sign on each side of one car commemorating the event.”
From CTA memorandum to “All Concerned, Rail” dated November 20, 1992.
Waiting to Be Scrapped
After being taken out of revenue service, a handful of 6000s and similar “L” cars were used as work trains by the CTA in the 1990s. But by the end of the decade, the cars were no longer needed and were sitting in a CTA railyard, covered with graffiti and awaiting their fate.
