A long time ago, I heard a rumor that some CA&E equipment ran on the North Shore Line during World War II. Today’s picture might show just that, but as with most things, the situation is a bit more complicated… Read More ›
Month: March 2013
Red Rocket Redux
Our March 13 feature The Old Math (144 = 225) helped prompt this sequel, where we present more Chicago streetcar fantrip photos circa 1954-58. Except for one, these pictures are from the CTA Historical Photo Collection. Even a partial list… Read More ›
A Tale of Two High Speeds
There were three series of high-speed, lightweight interurban cars built during the Depression era. There were 20 “Red Devils” built for the Cincinnati and Lake Erie in 1930, one of which raced an airplane in a famous publicity stunt. There… Read More ›
April at CERA: Illusion Travels By Streetcar
Our April CERA program will feature Illusion Travels by Streetcar, a 1953 Mexican film directed by Luis Buñuel. It tells the story of a Mexico City streetcar conductor and motorman, who, learning that their old car #133 is about to… Read More ›
Somewhere West of Laramie
This 1923 ad copy became more famous than the Jordan Playboy, the car it promoted: SOMEWHERE west of Laramie there’s a bronco-busting, steer roping girl who knows what I’m talking about. She can tell what a sassy pony, that’s a… Read More ›
Mystery Photo of the Day – Illinois Terminal, 1950s
Here is a vanished bit of small town Americana, trundling through Yesterday’s Main Street. This is Illinois Terminal, and we can say it’s the 1950s, looking at the autos, but WHERE was this mystery photo taken? Let us know your… Read More ›
ex-SEPTA PCC 2185 Enters Service in Kenosha
If you want to ride a PCC streetcar in regular service, you can still go to Boston, Philadelphia, or San Francisco, but since 2000, you can also ride them in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on a loop track of slightly less than… Read More ›
CERA Inspection Trip #206 In Pictures
CERA sponsored a fantrip on the CTA rapid transit system on November 18, 2012, highlighting both the “old” and the “new.” The old was represented by a train made up entirely of 2200-series cars from 1970. These are the last… Read More ›
The Old Math (144 = 225)
Ten years before the “New Math,” 144 was equal to 225, at least for one day. The occasion was a December 1956 Chicago fantrip, using one of the last surviving Red Pullman streetcars. Red Cars were phased out of regular… Read More ›
CTA Brown Line via Subway
While half the 91-year-old Wells Street bridge over the Chicago River is being replaced this week, railfans have a rare opportunity to ride the CTA Brown Line (formerly Ravenswood) “L” trains in the State Street subway. This is the first… Read More ›