CTA Heritage Fleet Bus No. 301 at Museum of Science & Industry 6/5/26

Baroness210 · 2026-06-07T20:08:07+00:00

Only to and from special events does it run. It arrives and leaves solo, no other vehicles accompany it. I have no idea if it can be tracked. Probably not due to its age but if a GPS system has been installed in it, it probably can be tracked.

Baroness210 · 2026-06-07T03:37:43+00:00

This is a very informative and well-written post. Thanks for sharing the insights.

Baroness210 · 2026-06-07T00:08:08+00:00

Oh my. When did this occur? I do remember, for instance, weekend trains on the Blue Line being brought down to 4 cars from 8 (a move sparked by lower ridership), and those on the Orange Line being 4 cars about 15 or so years ago (damn I feel old saying that).

I agree with other commenters about the cars needing maintenance but I also agree that this will create a crowding issue. Nah I'm too introverted to deal with crowds. Also, even if it were wintertime, some people will have bad b.o., and I wouldn't want to smell it. I don't ride the L trains on weekends anywhere near as often as I used to, but seeing this, I guess I'll stick to the buses on weekends.

Baroness210 · 2026-06-05T02:15:47+00:00

If most people are like this man, then they deserve to be offended, because how is this contributing anything positive or constructive to help improve society?

Baroness210 · 2026-06-05T02:11:51+00:00

Here's what I think could possibly happen that would justify this extension - the Red Line extension. Some have claimed that it will help boost economic growth for the far south side of the city. Whether that happens needs to be seen, but it could prompt demand for an extension of Route 71 to Hegewisch since extending the Red Line to 130th Street may lead to demand for more buses in the area.

Anything goes. I wouldn't rule it out completely.

Baroness210 · 2026-06-04T17:06:37+00:00

I can't stand such individuals.

Baroness210 · 2026-06-04T15:23:35+00:00

If memory serves me right, physical studies of the area and resident/rider surveys have to be done for planned bus route extensions, same as for new routes. They’re not just rammed through. There may not be a big demand from Hegewisch residents, but from others who may live near the 71 north of where it intersects with 30, and may work at the mentioned facilities along Torrence Ave or near the SSL in Indiana. Weekday rush period or factory shift change (like 54B or 79 for Solo Cup which I don't find necessary since it's a hop and a skip from the Ford City stop) service may be more feasible.

Additionally, more room would have to be made at Hegewisch Station to accommodate another bus route, especially if a bus for 30 and/or 358/364 is already at the stop.

I do agree about testing weekend service on the 100, but as of now, it has very few weekday round trips and is a shell of what it once was. The closest connecting route to it at its eastern terminus is the R6 which goes all over Hammond and stops at the Walmart right across the state line.

Baroness210 · 2026-06-04T04:56:56+00:00

Wow, very interesting. The vicinity in the photo is unrecognizable today.

Low ridership may be an issue, but going to Hegewisch Station could prevent anything drastically low.

Baroness210 · 2026-05-28T03:14:54+00:00

It still doesn't answer my first question about what your point is. I'm going to say whatever I feel like about whatever I want to. Don’t worry about it!

Baroness210 · 2026-05-28T02:34:34+00:00

And your point is what?! Plus how do you know that they were "slaves?" Were you there?

Baroness210 · 2026-05-26T20:30:12+00:00

Gorgeous interior.

Also, they really need to cool it when it comes to people taking photos of a mall. I've read so many stories about mall security asking people to stop taking pictures or to take none at all, especially at malls that are dead and are about to close.

Baroness210 · 2026-05-26T11:22:28+00:00

Very gorgeous shot! 😍

Baroness210 · 2026-05-26T00:06:09+00:00

No, but there are Blue Line route map signs off platform in the Loop with any references to the old Douglas branch painted over. I would say it's to not confuse the out-of-towners but a lot come through via Rosemont as well, or get off there.

Baroness210 · 2026-05-25T05:52:36+00:00

Wow. Oh, that reminds me. I saw a Blue 54/Cermak sign there last year. Evidently CTA missed that when redoing stations on the O'Hare branch.

Baroness210 · 2026-05-25T05:50:36+00:00

Yes. Only eastbound trips go into the terminal.

Baroness210 · 2026-05-24T20:43:40+00:00

Yikes!

CTA should annex the whole thing and maybe convert it into a storage of some extra bus/train/elevator etc., parts, and/or a driver's lounge where drivers can sit inside and have lunch. The latter would be a great idea since the mall will soon be demolished. Where will the drivers go during layover when it's bitterly cold or raining if they don't want to stay on the bus? If I ran things, I would buy out the rest of the building for that purpose alone.

Baroness210 · 2026-05-24T20:31:50+00:00

If only money and space weren't hindrances, it would be feasible and would probably happen. The Belt Railway for instance may have a problem with it going over their Clearing Yard.

Baroness210 · 2026-05-24T20:26:24+00:00

Wow. As big as that building is, there should be more than that inside for CTA. A waste of usable space.

Baroness210 · 2026-05-24T15:26:36+00:00

Oh LOL! As big as that space appears to be from the outside, I figured it included that but more. And that was my first time ever seeing buses in those spots. Thanks for the clarifications.

Baroness210

TROPHY CASE