New York city had the first elevated train system in 1867. Chicago
would start its first "L" train line in 1888. The first "L" line
ran to the south side thru alleys. It was extended to reach Jackson
Park when Chicago was chosen to host the World's Fair in 1890.
The first "L" train was pulled by a steam locomotive.
The "L" wouldn't
be electric powered until 1898. This photo shows the Intramural
electric train which would serve as a prototype for future electric
trains.The electric Intramural train was built specifically for
the fair. It was built on a track that was
6 miles long and circled the fair grounds. The cost of developing
the intramural train was $1,000,000 (very expensive for the time).
Six million visitors paid to ride the electric train, but it
still did not cover the high cost of development. The intramural
train was very similar to the monorail at Disneyland.
Bancroft, Hubert Howe. The Book of the Fair. Chicago: The Bancroft Company, 1893. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission. |
