Ride the CTA Holiday Train

POSTED BY
Carol

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Prepare for the madness.

The Chicagoist published this article about riding the CTA Holiday train. It sounds pretty awful. This year in an attempt to alleviate the overcrowding on the Santa train they’ll also be running the six-car Elves’ Workshop Train right behind the Santa train each day it’s in service. I’ve never attempted to do this. Now that they’re running the Elf train on weekdays I may give it a shot. Travel Tips

When and Where

When: Nov. 29, -Dec. 23, 2019. The train generally operates from about 1pm to 8pm on weekends and 3pm to 7pm on select weekdays (schedules for each rail line will vary), and will make stops at all stations along the respective routes. Full schedule below.

Where: All CTA rail lines Regular CTA fares apply: $2.50 one way; $5.00 from O’hare.

What is it?

The Chicago Transit Authority is getting into the holiday spirit with the Holiday Train. Santa will ride on his own train and a second train (on Saturdays only) will carry his elves who will pass out candy canes and season’s greetings.

The outside of the six-car train is adorned with holiday seasonal images, thousands of twinkling lights with even more lights running across the tops of the cars. The interiors re decked out with thousands of multi-colored lights, red bows, garland, and red and green overhead lighting. The hand poles are wrapped to look like candy canes.

As the train pulls into each station, Santa waves to the boarding passengers from his sleigh on an open-air flatcar carrying his reindeer and decorated holiday trees. This year the elves should be waving also.

Here’s my experience with the CTA Holiday Bus which is running Nov 26-Dec 23, 2019.

IMG_9510

= Photos with Santa; Elves’ Workshop Train in service and directly following the main holiday train

2019 Allstate CTA Holiday Train schedule Click the dates below to see full details.
Green Line & Orange Line	Fri 11/29
Green Line	Sat 11/30
Green Line & Orange Line	Tue 12/3
Orange Line & Brown Line	Wed 12/4
Orange Line & Brown Line	Thu 12/5
Orange Line & Brown Line	Fri 12/6
Orange Line & Brown Line	Sat 12/7
Pink Line	Tue 12/10
Pink Line	Wed 12/11
Blue Line	Thu 12/12
Blue Line	Fri 12/13
Blue Line *(+ photo-only stop on Pink Line)*	Sat 12/14
Red Line	Tue 12/17
Purple Line	Wed 12/18
Red Line	Thu 12/19
Purple Line	Fri 12/20
Red Line & Purple Line	Sat 12/21
Yellow Line	Mon 12/23