Brace yourself, Chicago. Winter is coming. And whether we like it or not, it likely will be here soon. Months on months on months of nothing but frigid wind chills, snow-slushed sidewalks and subzero temperatures.
Why? Mother Nature hates us with a burning passion (obviously). Luckily, the CTA is already preparing its rail and bus fleets for whatever the season will bring.
As of now, you can enjoy the warmth of an overhead heat lamp (and huddle with complete strangers) at all CTA outdoor stations. The lamps are inspected, tested and activated before Nov. 1 each year, CTA spokesman Jeff Tolman said. So while you might not need to stand under one yet due to the unseasonably warm weather we’ve been having, it’s nice to know the head-scalding heat is only a button push away.
While there is no exact day that the CTA begins its prep, Tolman said that the agency has a comprehensive plan that goes into effect well before the winter and that crews have been working for some time getting everything ready.
“We have a strong track record of maintaining service throughout extreme weather [such as the 2014 polar vortex],” Tolman wrote in an email. “CTA staff is trained extensively on handling winter weather, and we have equipment across our bus and rail system to help combat it.”
The CTA’s railcars, buses, stations and services undergo a number of adjustments to handle cold temps, snow and whatever else a Chicago winter can muster. That includes:
Rail
” To ensure that trains make proper contact with the electrified third rail (because that’s what keeps them moving), all railcars have a “sleet scraper” that is lowered to clear the third rail of ice and snow.
” Snowplow blades are attached to the front of all railcars to plow snow and ice from the track as they move from station to station.
” In the event of an insane snowstorm, the CTA has special diesel-powered snow fighter locomotives that don’t rely on electric power from the tracks to work.
” Track switch heaters can be turned on to melt ice and snow that can build up and interfere with the track switcher when temperatures drop below freezing.
” Some cars have equipment attached that can disperse de-icing fluid onto the third rail to prevent ice buildup.
Bus
” The CTA’s buses undergo a thorough inspection to prep for the winter months, which includes checking the vehicles’ heaters, batteries, engine thermostats and more.
” When it comes to winter road conditions, the CTA works with local authorities such as the Chicago Department of Transportation and implements reroutes if necessary.
” All buses are equipped with engine pre-heaters that allow the motors to be started more easily, which speeds up the warming of interiors and reduces emissions.
Stations
” Salt and sand are delivered to all CTA bus and rail stations.
” Overhead heat lamps are activated no later than Nov. 1 at all of the CTA’s 120-plus outdoor stations.
So for commuters hoping to use the transit system as an excuse to call off of work on a cold winter morning (when you just want to lie in bed and binge on Netflix, let’s be real), the CTA doesn’t appear to take snow days, and you’re SOL.
@RianneCoale | rcoale@redeyechicago.com
The Transit Diaries runs in RedEye’s print edition every Tuesday on Page 4. If you have a story you’d like to share, email us at redeye@redeyechicago.com with “Transit Diaries” in the subject line.
