Metropolitan main line (CTA)

The Metropolitan main line is a defunct rapid transit line which was part of the Chicago "L" system. The line ran west from downtown at the Wells Street Terminal (and was later connected to the Loop at the Wells/Van Buren intersection), to Marshfield Junction. At this point the Garfield Park branch continued westward, while the Douglas Park branch turned south, and the Logan Square branch turned north with the Humboldt Park branch branching from it. The Metropolitan main line served eight stations aside from those in the Loop. The line opened on May 6, 1895, and closed on June 22, 1958, upon the opening of the Congress branch.

Metropolitan Main Line
The four tracks of the Metropolitan Main in 1895
Overview
TypeRapid transit
SystemChicago "L"
LocaleChicago, Illinois, U.S.
TerminiWells Street Terminal and Loop
Marshfield
Stations8
Operation
OpenedMay 6, 1895[1]
ClosedJune 22, 1958
Operator(s)Chicago Transit Authority (1947-1958)
Chicago Rapid Transit Company (1924-1947)
Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railroad (1895-1924)
CharacterElevated
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
ElectrificationThird rail, 600 V DC
Route map
Quincy
 Wells Street Terminal
1
2
1: Franklin Terminal
2: Franklin/Van Buren
Chicago River
 Canal
 Union Station
 Halsted
1
2
1
1: Racine
2: Throop Shop
Laflin
Marshfield
1
2
1: Logan Square branch
2: Douglas Park branch
Garfield Park branch
Former direct connection
outside of paid area

History
Main article: Garfield Park branch § History)

The Metropolitan main line opened on May 6, 1895; trains initially ran from Canal to Marshfield, where they continued onto the Logan Square branch and eventually the other branches. The Franklin Street Terminal opened on May 13,[2] extending the line eastward. This terminal was closed in 1897, and the line was routed to the Loop via Van Buren Street. The Wells Street Terminal opened on October 3, 1904, and Metropolitan main line trains terminated at both this terminal and the Loop. In 1951, the Milwaukee/Dearborn Subway opened, and Logan Square branch trains were rerouted to the subway; at the same time, the Humboldt Park branch became a shuttle service, leaving only the Garfield Park and Douglas Park branches operating on the main line. Wells Street Terminal and Laflin closed in 1951, and Racine and Marshfield both closed in 1954. Franklin/Van Buren station closed in 1955; trains on the line entered the Loop from the Wells Street track after this point. The Metropolitan main line closed on June 22, 1958 upon the opening of the Congress branch, which also replaced the Garfield Park branch.[3]

Station listing
Metropolitan main line stations
Station Location Notes Opened Closed
Wells Street Terminal 314 S. Wells Street Also served by the CA&E October 3, 1904 February 25, 1951
Franklin Terminal Franklin Street between Jackson Boulevard and Van Buren Street May 13, 1895 1897
Franklin/Van Buren Franklin Street and Van Buren Street October 11, 1897 October 11, 1955
Canal Canal Street between Jackson and Van Buren Streets Also served by the CA&E May 6, 1895 June 22, 1958
Halsted Halsted Street and Van Buren Street May 6, 1895 1958
Racine 416-18 S. Racine Avenue May 6, 1895 April 5, 1954
Laflin 418 S. Laflin Street May 6, 1895 December 9, 1951
Marshfield 418 S. Marshfield Avenue Also served by the CA&E May 6, 1895 1954
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References
  1. "New "L" Road Opens". Chicago Daily Tribune. May 7, 1895. p. 12.
  2. "Calls on the Banks". Chicago Daily Tribune. May 10, 1895. p. 4.
  3. Graham Garfield. "Metropolitan Main Line and Garfield Park branch". Chicago-'L'.org. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
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