Loop Shuttle

{{see also|The Loop (CTA)}}

The Loop Shuttle operated continuously clockwise around the inner track of the Loop, approximately {{convert|1.79|mi|km}}. The line provided service Monday through Saturday during the day, with no late night or Sunday service. Evening service was dropped later in its life. The line typically used two-car 6000-series assigned to Kimball Yard.

During weekday rush hours, the Evanston Express was the only other route to travel clockwise and use the inner track. Southbound Lake–Dan Ryan trains shared the inner track on the Lake and Wabash segment.

While the CTA did not formally adopt color-coded lines during its lifetime, the Loop Shuttle was depicted as gray or black on color maps.{{cite map |title= RTA Map: Chicago & Suburbs |year= 1977 |url= http://irm-cta.org/RouteMaps/RTA/FullMaps/RTA-Map1977_Chicago.jpg |version= November 1, 1976 |author= Rand McNally & Co. |publisher= Regional Transportation Authority of Chicago |page= 2 |edition= 1st}}{{cite map |title= "L" system car card map |date= February 1972 |url= https://ceramembersblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/p1010142.jpg |author= Chicago Transit Authority Research Planning |publisher= Chicago Transit Authority}}

Opportunity for a continuous "L" line around the Loop was realized in 1969, when modifications were underway to allow through service of the Lake Street branch to the newly completed Dan Ryan branch. Prior to this all trains ran counter-clockwise, with Ravenswood and Evanston Express trains using the outer track and Lake Street trains using the inner track. The new Lake–Dan Ryan Line began on September 28, 1969, and Loop Shuttle service began two days later on September 30. The Ravenswood Line would continue operating counter-clockwise via the outer track and Evanston Express trains would shift to operating clockwise around the inner track on September 30.

The Loop Shuttle was quietly discontinued on September 30, 1977 as a cost-cutting measure.{{cite book |last1=Cudahy |first1=Brian J. |title=Destination, Loop : the story of rapid transit railroading in and around Chicago |date=1982 |publisher=S. Greene Press |location=Brattleboro, Vt. |isbn=0-8289-0480-4 |edition=1st}} After the Loop Shuttle's discontinuation, the Evanston Express remained the only route to run clockwise around the Loop. Full-time service around the inner loop was restored with the introduction of the Orange Line in 1993 and later the Pink Line in 2006.

File:20130307 09 CTA Loop Shuttle train @ Adams Wabash.jpg

During service disruptions that prevent trains from operating into the Loop, CTA may provide a shuttle train to retain access at all Loop stations. The service allows riders to transfer between rail replacement buses or trains rerouted via the subway to mitigate travel impacts. Recently, CTA has operated a counter-clockwise Loop Shuttle during the replacement of the Wells Street Bridge and renovation of the Ravenswood Connector in 2013 and 2015, respectively.{{cite news |title=Wells Street Bridge Project to Temporarily Affect CTA Service |url=https://www.transitchicago.com/wells-street-bridge-project-to-temporarily-affect-cta-service/ |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=CTA |date=11 February 2013 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=CTA Begins Next Phase of Major Upgrade of Brown, Purple Line Work |url=https://www.transitchicago.com/cta-begins-next-phase-of-major-upgrade-of-brown-purple-line-work/ |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=CTA |date=3 April 2015 |language=en}}

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{{Chicago L}}

Category:Railway lines in Chicago

Category:Railway lines opened in 1969

Category:1969 establishments in Illinois