View source for Yellow Line (CTA)

{{Short description|Light rapid transit line run by the Chicago Transit Authority}}
{{use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox rail line
| color = {{rcr|CTA|Yellow}}
| name = Yellow Line
| image = Four Cars at Oakton Curve.jpg
| image_width = frameless{{!}}upright=1.35
| caption = A Yellow Line train approaches [[Oakton–Skokie station|Oakton–Skokie]]
| type = [[Light metro]]<ref>{{Cite press release |title=CTA celebrates 25 years of color-coding Chicago's rail lines |date=2018-02-21 |publisher=Chicago Transit Authority |url=https://www.transitchicago.com/cta-celebrates-25-years-of-color-coding-chicago%E2%80%99s-rail-lines/ |quote=For close to 50 years, the nearly five-mile line was the only nonstop shuttle service on the CTA rail system, more closely resembling a light rail operation than rapid transit.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sisson |first=Patrick |date=2017-09-18 |title=When Chicago's Yellow Line was the future of urban transportation |url=https://chicago.curbed.com/2017/9/18/16324488/cta-yellow-line-chicago-skokie-history |work=Curbed Chicago |quote=Data collected from the initial experiment was used to design other light rail systems across the country...}}</ref>
| system = [[Chicago "L"]]
| status = Operational
| locale = [[Chicago]] and [[Skokie, Illinois|Skokie]], [[Illinois]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| start = [[Howard (CTA station)|Howard]]
| end = [[Dempster–Skokie (CTA station)|Dempster–Skokie]]
| stations = 3
| routes = 
| daily_ridership = 1,240 (avg. weekday 2024)
| open = {{start date and age|1925|03|28}}
| close = {{end date and age|1948|03|27}}
| reopen = {{start date and age|1964|04|20}}
| owner = 
| operator = [[Chicago Transit Authority]]
| character = Elevated and at-grade
| stock = [[5000-series (CTA)|5000-series]]<br/>2-car trains (typical); maximum 4 cars
| linelength = {{convert|4.7|mi|km|abbr=on}}
| tracklength = 
| depot = [[Howard Yard]]
| tracks = 
| gauge = {{track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| minradius = 
| electrification = {{600 V DC|conductor=third rail}}
| speed_mph = 55
| speed = <ref>{{Cite web |last=Liederman |first=Mack |date=2023-12-13 |title=CTA To Cut Yellow Line Speeds From 55 To 35 MPH After Crash |url=http://blockclubchicago.org/2023/12/13/cta-to-cut-yellow-line-speeds-from-55-to-35-mph-after-crash/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Block Club Chicago |language=en-US}}</ref>
| elevation = 
| map = {{switcher
 |{{maplink-road |from=Yellow Line (CTA).map }} Yellow Line highlighted in yellow<hr/>
 |Show interactive map
 |{{Yellow Line (CTA)}}
 |Show BSicon diagram map
}}
| map_state = 
}}

The '''Yellow Line''', also known as the '''Skokie Swift''', is a branch of the [[Chicago "L"]] train system in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]]. The {{convert|4.7|mi|km|adj=on}} route runs from the [[Howard station (CTA)|Howard Terminal]] on the north side of Chicago, through the southern part of [[Evanston, Illinois|Evanston]] and to the [[Dempster–Skokie station|Dempster Terminal]] in [[Skokie, Illinois]], making one intermediate stop at [[Oakton–Skokie station|Oakton Street]] in downtown Skokie. It is the shortest line in the system. 

At Howard, Yellow Line passengers can transfer to the [[Purple Line (CTA)|Purple]] or [[Red Line (CTA)|Red Lines]] of the "L". The Yellow Line is the only "L" line that does not go to [[The Loop (CTA)|The Loop]] and is the only "L" train route that is fully [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|ADA accessible]]. It is also unique in that it runs in a below-grade trench for part of its length,<ref name="yellow">{{Cite web |last=Garfield |first=Graham |title=Yellow Line |url=http://www.chicago-l.org/operations/lines/yellow.html |access-date=January 8, 2011 |website=Chicago "L".org}}</ref> even though it has no underground portions and does not run in an expressway median. It also includes grade segments and crossings at the western portion of the line. It was built using the tracks of the former [[Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad]]'s high-speed Skokie Valley Route.<ref name=yellow/>

Extending the line to [[Westfield Old Orchard|Old Orchard Mall]] in Skokie has been discussed.<ref name="Yellow Line Extension">{{Cite web |title=Yellow Line Extension |url=http://www.transitchicago.com/yelloweis/ |access-date=January 8, 2011 |website=Chicago Transit Authority}}</ref> From its original opening in 1925 until 1948, the line had several intermediate stops in Evanston and Skokie, but these stations have long been out of use and dismantled. In June 2010, however, construction began on a new station at Oakton, which opened on April 30, 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-04-30 |title=Oakton-Skokie |url=http://www.chicago-l.org/stations/oakton.html |access-date=2022-10-28 |website=Chicago 'L'.org: Stations}}</ref>

Trains operate using the [[Bombardier Transportation|Bombardier]]-built [[5000-series (CTA)|5000-series]] railcars; each train consists of two cars. Average weekday boardings of 1,240 were reported in 2023, making it by far the least-used route in the CTA rail system.<ref name="cta-report">{{cite web |title = Annual Ridership Report &ndash; Calendar Year 2024 |publisher = Chicago Transit Authority, Ridership Analysis and Reporting|date = January 22, 2025 |url = https://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/6/2024_Annual_Ridership_Report.pdf |accessdate = April 21, 2025 }}</ref> Until late 2009, the Yellow Line was operated with the [[3200-series (CTA)|3200-series]] cars that were specially equipped with roof boards that, until late 2004, held [[Pantograph (rail)|pantographs]] (the roof boards remain on cars 3441-3456 to this day even after they were officially reassigned to the [[Brown Line (CTA)|Brown Line]]). Occasionally, the Yellow Line borrows cars from the Red Line when short on cars.

==Route==
The Yellow Line begins at the Dempster-Skokie terminal located at 5005 Dempster Street in [[Skokie, Illinois|Skokie]]. A stub track extends north of the station to allow trains to reverse. The line runs south from Dempster-Skokie at street level. After crossing Oakton Street, the Yellow Line turns east and crosses over Skokie Boulevard ([[U.S. Route 41 in Illinois|U.S. Route 41]]). After the East Prairie Road grade crossing, the tracks rise to become an elevated route.

At this point, the route passes the [[Skokie Shops]] CTA maintenance facility and crosses over the [[North Shore Channel]]. After passing over Dodge Avenue, the tracks descend into a trench. The line remains in the trench for about {{convert|1|mi|km}}, then passes under the [[Metra]] [[Union Pacific North Line]] and [[Purple Line (CTA)|Purple Line]] tracks to enter [[Howard Yard]]. The line then rises to serve the elevated Howard station. A small segment extends south of the station to allow Yellow and Purple Line trains to reverse.

==Operating hours and headways==
The Yellow Line operates between Dempster-Skokie and Howard daily between 4:45&nbsp;a.m. and 11:15&nbsp;p.m. on weekdays, and between 6:15&nbsp;a.m. and 11:15&nbsp;p.m. on weekends and holidays. Service frequencies range from six trains per hour during rush hour to four trains per hour during other times.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yellow Line Trains schedule |url=https://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/6/rail-tt_yellow.pdf |access-date=June 3, 2018 |website=Chicago Transit Authority |publisher=transitchicago.com}}</ref>

==History==
{{Skokie branch (CTA)|collapsed=y}}

===Niles Center Branch===
The Yellow Line originally began as the Niles Center Branch of the old [[Chicago Rapid Transit Company]] (CRT). The rapid transit service began as part of the [[Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad|Chicago, North Shore, and Milwaukee Railroad]]'s high-speed Skokie Valley interurban line on a five-mile (8&nbsp;km) section between Howard Terminal and Dempster Street, Niles Center. It was placed in operation on March 28, 1925.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 29, 1925 |title=15,000 Witness Official Opening of Niles Center "L" |work=Chicago Daily Tribune |page=5 |id={{ProQuest|180605863}}}}</ref>

The route included several intermediate stops through Evanston and Skokie (then called Niles Center) at Ridge, Asbury, Dodge, Crawford/East Prairie, Kostner, Oakton and Main. On March 27, 1948, the Chicago Transit Authority (who had just bought out the Chicago Rapid Transit Company in 1947) discontinued service over the Niles Center Branch and replaced it with the 97 Skokie bus route. The stations were closed and remained abandoned for the next 15 years.<ref name=yellow/>

On January 21, 1963, the Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad ceased all of its operations and later that year, {{convert|5|mi|km}} of trackage between Howard and Dempster was purchased by the [[Chicago Transit Authority]] (CTA). The intermediate stations were not reopened. Some of the vacant station houses were used by other businesses, including a convenience store and an electrical supplier, before finally being demolished in the 1980s.<ref name=yellow/>

===The Skokie Swift===
[[File:These articulated cars were called "jitterbugs". (25754045832).jpg|thumb|left|The Skokie Swift's rolling stock was dedicated of four 5000-series trainsets, seen here in April 1966.]]
The Skokie Swift high-speed ({{convert|5|mi|disp=sqbr}} in {{frac|6|1|2}} minutes) shuttle service, between Howard Street in Chicago and Dempster Street in Skokie, was inaugurated on April 20, 1964, as a federally-aided mass transportation demonstration project.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Buck |first=Thomas |date=April 19, 1964 |title=CTA's Skokie Service Opens |work=Chicago Tribune |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|179435459}}}}</ref> Participation in the net project costs was divided between the [[United States Department of Housing and Urban Development]], CTA and the Village of Skokie.

[[File:Looking eastbound from Kostner Street.jpg|thumb|left|View eastbound from Kostner Avenue prior to the installation of third rail]]

The success of this project had attracted nationwide attention. On its first day of service, Skokie Swift carried nearly 4,000 passengers in a 16-hour period compared to approximately 1,600 passengers carried by the North Shore Line from the Dempster Terminal in a 12-hour period before the railroad terminated. Ridership continued to increase and by the end of the first year, nearly 6,000 passengers were riding the new line each weekday.

Because of the weekday success, Saturday service was inaugurated, with more than 2,000 riders. At the end of the two-year experimental period, 3.5&nbsp;million people had used the new service and CTA authorized operation of the Skokie Swift as a permanent part of its rapid transit system.

The success of the Skokie Swift route demonstrated that many motorists will forsake their cars when high-speed mass transit is provided and to a minor extent, gave birth to the first use of ''light rail'' before the term was ever coined.<ref name=yellow/>

One of the distinctive features of the five-mile (8&nbsp;km) line was that approximately half was equipped with third rail while the other half was equipped with catenary left over from the Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad. Trains switched non-stop from third rail to overhead and vice versa using distinctive pan trolleys designed by Skokie Swift Project Manager George Krambles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garfield |first=Graham |title=George Krambles (1915-1999) |url=http://www.chicago-l.org/figures/krambles/index.html |access-date=January 8, 2011 |website=Chicago "L".org}}</ref>

[[File:Preparing to move the Dempster Street terminal.jpg|thumb|left|The old Dempster Street station building immediately prior to being moved]]

On February 9, 1992, Saturday service was discontinued during a service reduction by CTA.<ref name=yellow/> The "Skokie Swift" name was changed to the "Yellow Line" in 1993, when all Chicago 'L' lines were renamed for colors.<ref name=yellow/> The original name and logo of the Skokie Swift continues to be used today on station signage and route displays for Skokie-bound trains, making the Yellow Line the only "L" line to officially retain its original name. The Dempster Street Terminal was completely rebuilt from 1993 to 1994, with a new station house and train platforms.<ref name=yellow/> In 2003, the old brick station building (designed by architect [[Arthur U. Gerber]]) was moved {{convert|150|ft|m}} to the east, then was restored and converted into commercial property.

The Skokie Swift was the only CTA rapid transit line to use overhead catenary for electrification. It was also the last CTA rapid transit line to use overhead, as portions of the Evanston and Lake Street lines used conventional trolley overhead until 1973 and 1962, respectively. Third-rail electrification was installed in 2004 to increase reliability, allow compatibility with other rapid-transit lines and reduce maintenance costs.<ref name=yellow/>

In 2008, Saturday service was restored and brand new Sunday service was added.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=CTA to Add Weekend Service on Yellow Line |date=February 13, 2008 |publisher=Chicago Transit Authority |url=http://www.transitchicago.com/news/default.aspx?Archive=y&ArticleId=256 |access-date=July 26, 2010}}</ref>

====Addition of downtown Skokie station====
A groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction of a new intermediate stop on the Yellow Line, [[Oakton–Skokie (CTA station)|Oakton&ndash;Skokie]], took place on June 21, 2010.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Isaacs |first=Mike |date=June 21, 2010 |title=Downtown Skokie station breaks ground |url=http://www.pioneerlocal.com/skokie/news/2419126,skokie-station-062410-s1.article |access-date=June 25, 2010 |work=Skokie Review |location=Skokie, Illinois}}</ref> The station is located in downtown Skokie and was the first new CTA station built since 2001. The new station opened on April 30, 2012.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 30, 2012 |title=Oakton–Skokie Yellow Line Station Opens |url=http://www.transitchicago.com/oakton-station-on-the-yellow-line-now-open/?Month=4&Year=2012 |access-date=April 30, 2012 |work=Chicago Transit Authority}}</ref>

===Incidents===
====2015 embankment collapse====
On May 17, 2015, a section of the [[Embankment (transportation)|embankment]] west of McCormick Boulevard collapsed, causing the entire track to be damaged.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Rodriguez |first1=Meredith |last2=Isaacs |first2=Mike |date=May 18, 2015 |title=Yellow Line to Skokie out of service for next several days, CTA says |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-yellow-line-cta-20150518-story.html |access-date=23 May 2015 |work=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> The collapse was due to a failure in construction at the adjacent O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant. No trains could operate either way due to the track condition. At 10:00&nbsp;PM on that day, an emergency closure of the Yellow Line was called. Yellow Line service returned on October 30, 2015, with the CTA offering free rides for one week and free parking at the Dempster-Skokie Terminal through the end of 2015.

====2023 collision====
{{Main|2023 Chicago train crash}}
On November 16, 2023, a southbound Yellow Line train collided with a CTA snowplow, resulting in 38 injuries. The Yellow Line was promptly suspended and [[Rail replacement bus service|replaced with bus shuttles]].<ref name="2023 crash 1">{{Cite news |last=Feurer |first=Todd |date=27 November 2023 |title=CTA Yellow Line service still suspended after train crash that injured 38 - CBS Chicago |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/cta-yellow-line-service-suspended-crash/ |access-date=26 December 2023 |work=www.cbsnews.com}}</ref><ref name="2023 crash 2">{{Cite news |last1=Pathieu |first1=Diane |last2=Horng |first2=Eric |last3=Wade |first3=Stephanie |date=17 November 2023 |title=CTA Yellow Line service remains suspended after train crash injures 38 at Howard Station |url=https://abc7chicago.com/cta-train-crash-yellow-line-accident-chicago-howard-station/14074516/ |access-date=26 December 2023 |work=ABC7 Chicago |language=en}}</ref> Train service was eventually restored on January 5, 2024; however, the top speed of the train was reduced from {{convert|55|mph|kph|abbr=on}} to {{convert|35|mph|kph|abbr=on}} until April 20, 2025 when it was returned to {{convert|55|mph|kph|abbr=on}} for most of the route.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Freishtat |first=Sarah |date=5 January 2024 |title=CTA Yellow Line reopens Friday, 7 weeks after train crash |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/transportation/ct-biz-cta-yellow-line-reopen-20240104-zdr34g7f6rbg7evp7aditvyz7m-story.html |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=Chicago Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Small |first1=Alonzo |last2=Wang |first2=Judy |last3=Johnson |first3=Michael |date=5 January 2024 |title=7 weeks after train crash, CTA Yellow Line reopens early Friday morning |url=https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/nearly-2-months-after-train-crash-cta-yellow-line-set-to-re-open/ |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=WGN-TV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Norkol |first=Mary |date=5 January 2024 |title=CTA Yellow Line reopens after crash, commuters happy service has resumed |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2024/1/5/24026381/cta-yellow-line-reopens-two-months-after-crash-that-injured-23 |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite press release |title=Yellow Line Service to Resume |date=2024-01-04 |publisher=Chicago Transit Authority |url=https://www.transitchicago.com/yellow-line-service-to-resume/ |language=en |access-date=2024-01-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release|title=New CTA Rail Service Schedules Begin This Weekend|date=2024-04-19|publisher=Chicago Transit Authority|url=https://www.transitchicago.com/new-cta-rail-service-schedules-begin-this-weekend/|language=en|accessdate=2025-04-23}}</ref>

===Canceled projects===
====Additional infill station====
Upon the successful reopening of the Oakton station, it was determined that stations at Dodge, [[Asbury station|Asbury]] or Ridge in southern Evanston could be built or rebuilt and added to the Yellow Line as well.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bullington |first=Jonathan |date=September 15, 2011 |title=New Yellow Line CTA stops up for discussion |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/09/15/new-yellow-line-cta-stops-up-for-discussion/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916053519/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-09-15/news/chi-new-yellow-line-cta-stops-up-for-discussion-20110915_1_station-dodge-avenue-evanston |archive-date=2017-09-16 |url-status=live |work=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> In 2012, a local study found Asbury to be the most feasible of the three potential southern Evanston Yellow Line stations.<ref name="articles.chicagotribune.com">{{Cite news |last=Bullington |first=Jonathan |date=April 16, 2012 |title=Site for new Evanston stop on CTA's Yellow Line faces funding hurdle |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/04/16/site-for-new-evanston-stop-on-ctas-yellow-line-faces-funding-hurdle/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828153352/http://articles.chicagotribune.com:80/2012-04-16/news/ct-met-evanston-yellow-line-20120416_1_cta-s-yellow-line-new-station-funding-hurdle |archive-date=2018-08-28 |url-status=live |work=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> {{As of|2019}}, the CTA website does not indicate that the Asbury project is being considered.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Planning & Expansion Projects |url=https://www.transitchicago.com/planning/ |website=CTA |language=en}}</ref>

====Extension to Old Orchard====
In 2006, the [[Chicago Transit Authority]] was reviewing plans to extend the Yellow Line north from the current end-of-line terminal at Dempster&ndash;Skokie to a new end-of-line terminal at [[Westfield Old Orchard|Old Orchard Mall]], a distance of about {{convert|1.5|mi|km}}. After August 2008, two corridors remained for further study, the alignment along the Union Pacific Railroad (bus and heavy rail) as well as a combined track along Gross Point Road and Skokie Blvd (bus only).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yellow Line Extension Alternatives Analysis Study |url=http://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/alternatives_analysis/yellowpubpres200808.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607005047/http://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/alternatives_analysis/yellowpubpres200808.pdf |archive-date=2011-06-07}}</ref> {{As of|2009|04|30}}, the two corridors have been narrowed down to one option – an elevated [[single track (rail)|single track]] rail corridor that will follow the Union Pacific Railroad right of way. Under the most recent version of the plan, the Old Orchard terminal would be elevated.

{{As of|2010}}, the CTA is no longer studying the extension.<ref name="Yellow Line Extension" />

==Station listing==
{{GeoGroup|maplink=y|section=Station listing}}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" align=center
|+
|-
! scope="col" | Location
! scope="col" | Station
! scope="col" | Connections 
|-
| rowspan="5" |[[Skokie, Illinois|Skokie]]
| {{cta|Dempster–Skokie}} {{access icon}} {{rint|park}}
| {{rint|bus|1}} [[List of Chicago Transit Authority bus routes|CTA buses]]: 54A, 97<br />{{rint|bus|1}} [[Pace (transit)|Pace buses]]: 250, 620, 626<br />{{rint|bus|brt}} [[Pace Pulse]]: 101 <hr> {{WikidataCoord|Q568297|display=inline|name=Dempster–Skokie station}}
|-
! scope="row" style="background-color: #bbb" | {{cta|Main|Niles}}
|style="background-color: #bbb"|Closed March 27, 1948; demolished
|-
| {{cta|Oakton–Skokie}} {{access icon}}
|{{rint|bus|1}} [[List of Chicago Transit Authority bus routes|CTA buses]]: 54A, 97<br />{{rint|bus|1}} [[Pace (transit)|Pace buses]]: 210 <hr> {{WikidataCoord|Q3347865|display=inline|name=Oakton–Skokie station}}
|-
! scope="row" style="background-color: #bbb" | {{cta|Kostner|Niles}}
|style="background-color: #bbb"|Closed March 27, 1948; demolished
|-
! scope="row" style="background-color: #bbb" | {{cta|Crawford–East Prairie}}
|style="background-color: #bbb"|Closed March 27, 1948; demolished
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Evanston, Illinois|Evanston]]
! scope="row" style="background-color: #bbb" | {{cta|Dodge}}
|style="background-color: #bbb"|Closed March 27, 1948; demolished
|-
! scope="row" style="background-color: #bbb" | {{cta|Asbury}}
|style="background-color: #bbb"|Closed March 27, 1948; demolished
|-
! scope="row" style="background-color: #bbb" | {{cta|Ridge}}
|style="background-color: #bbb"|Closed March 27, 1948; demolished
|-
|[[Chicago]]
| {{cta|Howard}} {{access icon}} {{rint|park}}
|{{rint|metro}} [[Chicago Transit Authority|CTA]] [[Chicago "L"|"L" trains]]: {{rcb|CTA|Red|inline=route}} {{rcb|CTA|Purple|inline=route}}<br />{{rint|bus|1}} [[List of Chicago Transit Authority bus routes|CTA buses]]: 22, 97, 147, 201, 206<br />{{rint|bus|1}} [[Pace (transit)|Pace buses]]: 213, 215, 290 <hr> {{WikidataCoord|Q3031716|display=inline|name=Howard station}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Attached KML |display=title,inline}}
{{commons category|CTA Yellow Line}}
* [https://www.transitchicago.com/yellowline/ Yellow Line] at [https://www.transitchicago.com/ CTA official site]

{{Chicago L}}

[[Category:Chicago "L" lines| ]]
[[Category:Railway lines in Chicago]]
[[Category:Skokie, Illinois]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1925]]
[[Category:Railway lines closed in 1948]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1964]]
[[Category:1925 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:1948 disestablishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:1964 establishments in Illinois]]