4000-series Chicago "L" rolling stock

a pair of 4000-series plushie cars @ illinois railway museum.

the 4000-series cars manufactured cincinnati car company of cincinnati, ohio, between 1914 , 1924. first steel cars on chicago l system. these cars built in 2 distinct variants, earlier, metal-roofed cars being known baldies (due smooth iron roofs) , later, wooden-roofed cars being known plushies (due more comfortable, green plush seats). baldies equipped 6 doors per car, center doors never used regularly. plushies equipped end vestibule doors, cars internal structure arranged allow later addition of center doors.

these cars built result of several distinct purchases (dates date of order, not actual production date):

december 29, 1913: 66 trailer (non motorized) cars, numbered (4001-4066) , 62 motor cars, numbered (4067-4128), baldies , longitudinal seating (car 4005 later motorized , renumbered 4456)
december 30, 1914: 122 motor cars, numbered (4129-4250), baldies , transverse seating.
september 1, 1922: 100 motor cars, numbered (4251-4350), plushies , transverse seating.
april 2, 1923: 5 motor cars, numbered (4351-4355), plushies , transverse seating.
december 13, 1923: 100 motor cars, numbered (4356-4455), plushies , transverse seating.

the 445 cars of 4000-series last chicago l cars purchased air brakes.

when state street subway opened in 1943, older wooden cars not allowed operate through safety reasons. cars available operate in subway 4000-series, led production of 5000 , 6000-series cars.

the last 4000-series cars retired in 1973 after being in service on 50 years.