Chicago’s subway

You have in front of you one of the elevated train bridges of Chicago’s “L” system. You might even see one of those trains passing by, they’re a bit old school but integral to the city’s charm. Chicago is the second city in the United States to have an elevated train system, behind New York, which inaugurated its own in 1867. Nicknamed the “L” because most of its lines are elevated, they are now a part of the city’s landscape and identity. The first line was built by the South Side Elevated Railroad, and in 1892, you could have seen, and been amazed by a locomotive pulling four small wooden cars, leaving from 39th Street and arriving at Congress Station 14 minutes later. These rails still exist, they are part of the Green Line, which is the only one to be entirely elevated. Today, the majority of the network is underground, and you only see the famous elevated train and its metal walkways in the Loop. The Chicago subway has since been greatly expanded and connects various neighborhoods over a total length of 171 km. It is the second-largest transportation network in the United States, the third-oldest in the world (behind NYC and London), and one of the few in the world that connects its city’s two main airports! If you want to experience riding the L, the most impressive stretch is on the Brown Line, between Fullerton and Clark.It will give you the impression that you can touch the skyscrapers with your fingertips Nevertheless, the L is definitely in the hearts of the residents. In 2005, the Chicago Tribune conducted a survey among its readers asking them to name the 7 wonders of Chicago. The subway came in 3rd place, behind Lake Michigan (still), and Wrigley Field baseball stadium, but ahead of the Willis Tower, the Water Tower, the University of Chicago, and the Museum of Science and Industry.