Could the Gray Line be through routed wth other CTA “L” routes?
Several people have asked if Gray Line trains could be through routed (via a physical connection such as the old Kenwood “L” ROW, or the St. Charles Air Line) with other CTA “L” lines to go past downtown; or if CTA “L” cars could be equipped with overhead pick-up devices to run on Metra Electric District rails. It would be in direct violation of Federal Railroad Administration regulations for Highliners to run at ANY point on the same rails as CTA “L” stock. Highliners are Class I Railroad equipment, 15′ 10″ high, 10 ft. wide at floor level, 85 ft. long over the couplers, and meet FRA 800,000 lb compression test requirements for vehicles operating in trains of over 600,000 lbs.; Highliners weigh 134,000 lbs. each when empty. A rail car that is 10 ft. wide obviously needs platforms that can accomodate that width (CTA’s platforms are constructed for cars 8′ 6″ wide); rail cars that weigh 134,000 lbs and are 85 ft long need a supporting structure that can carry their weight safely, and ac
