CTA RAPID TRANSIT

BROWN LINE (Ravenswood)

Line is entirely elevated, except for the outermost portion which is at street level. Trains circle the Loop elevated route and proceed over one of the curviest CTA routes. Because some buildings were built before the elevated line, including an old church, those curves were necessary to get around the old buildings. During weekday rush hours, Purple Line Express trains to and from Evanston share tracks with the Brown Line between the Loop and Belmont Ave., making all Brown Line stops. Brown Line trains circle the Loop counterclockwise, Purple Line trains circle clockwise. The street level portion is rather scenic, with quaint old homes and a bridge over the Chicago River. In 2006, an extensive rehabilitation project began, which would modernize the stations and lengthen platforms to accommodate 8 car trains. This line had seen significant traffic growths in recent years, and remains the only major CTA line limited to 6 car trains.

Stations

(begin on Loop elevated)
Tower 18 (junction-Loop)
WASHINGTON/WELLS
QUINCY/WELLS
LA SALLE/VAN BUREN
LIBRARY-STATE/VAN BUREN (Harold Washington Library Center)
Tower 12 (junction-Loop)
ADAMS/WABASH
MADISON/WABASH
RANDOLPH/WABASH
STATE/LAKE
CLARK/LAKE (transfer passageway-Blue Line)
Tower 18 (junction-Loop)
Bridge-Chicago River
MERCHANDISE MART
CHICAGO AVE.
SEDGWICK
(south end 4 tracks shared with Red Line)
ARMITAGE
FULLERTON (De Paul University/transfer-Red Line)
DIVERSEY
WELLINGTON
BELMONT (transfer-Red Line)
Clark Jct. (north end 4 tracks shared with Red Line)
SOUTHPORT
PAULINA
ADDISON
IRVING PARK
MONTROSE
DAMEN
WESTERN
(north end elevated/south end ground level)
ROCKWELL
FRANCISCO
KEDZIE
KIMBALL

PHOTOS