CTA Heritage Fleet in Chicago, Illinois

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Chicago, Illinois · Updated October 19, 2026 · 11 min read

Rail preservation groupTrain ridesSeen on special public events and private charters, not at a regular museum site

Created in 2016, the CTA Heritage Fleet preserves the Chicago Transit Authority's vintage buses, 'L' cars and other equipment so they can keep carrying passengers on public events and charters, cared for by CTA employees, retirees and industry experts who volunteer their time.

  • Program created in 2016
  • Volunteer maintained
  • Vintage 'L' cars and buses
  • Funded by gift shop and charters
  • Public events and private charters

CTA Heritage Fleet at a glance

Hours
No regular hours; vehicles appear at announced public events and private charters
Admission
Varies by event; charters are priced by the CTA
Train rides
Occasional public rides on vintage 'L' cars and buses during announced events
Seasonal events
Fall Colors Express
Best for
Transit fans and kids who love the 'L'
Best ages
All ages
Accessibility
For CTA accessibility questions, call 1-888-YOUR-CTA; hearing impaired callers can use 711 relay.

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to CTA Heritage Fleet? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Chicago.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Keeping more than a century of Chicago transit on the move

Public transit in Chicago goes back to the late 1850s, when the first horse-drawn streetcar ran south on State Street from downtown. In the decades that followed, the city was served by cable cars, electric streetcars, elevated railways, subways and many kinds of buses. In October 1947 the newly formed Chicago Transit Authority, an independent government agency created by the State of Illinois, took over the private Chicago Rapid Transit Company, which ran the 'L' system, and the Chicago Surface Lines, which ran streetcars and buses, later adding the Chicago Motor Coach company.

In 2016 the CTA created its Heritage Fleet program to preserve and celebrate more than 100 years of that history. Modeled on similar programs at other transit agencies, it sets guidelines for preserving, maintaining and repairing historic vehicles, both those already in the fleet and any that join it later.

The program pays its own way. Funding comes from sales at CTAgifts.com, the agency's online gift shop, and from private charters. The hands-on work of repairing and maintaining the vehicles is done by CTA employees, retirees and industry experts who volunteer their time, which says a great deal about how much Chicago's transit workers care about the equipment they once ran.

Riding history on today's 'L'

There is no Heritage Fleet museum to walk through. Instead, the vintage buses and rail cars come out for public events and private charters, running on the same system that today carries roughly 1.6 million rides on a typical weekday. Among the preserved rail cars are four operational 6000-series 'L' cars, Nos. 6101 and 6102 and 6711 and 6712, which have run on special trips such as a Fall Colors Express operated in partnership with the Illinois Railway Museum.

The CTA shares photos of the Heritage Fleet in an album on Flickr, a good way to see the vehicles before an event. If you want to see more Chicago transit equipment between Heritage Fleet trips, the Illinois Railway Museum in Union displays restored Chicago 'L' cars in its Barn 8.

Don’t miss

  1. 6000-series cars 6101 and 6102Two of the four operational 6000-series 'L' cars kept in running order by the Heritage Fleet.
  2. 6000-series cars 6711 and 6712The other operational pair, used on special public trips.
  3. Fall Colors ExpressA special 'L' trip the CTA ran with the Illinois Railway Museum using its vintage cars.
  4. CTAgifts.comThe online gift shop whose sales help pay for the program.

A special ride for young transit fans

For kids who love the 'L', riding a vintage car on a Heritage Fleet event is a memorable treat, since the trains run over the real elevated and subway lines. Events are occasional, so watch the CTA's news and social media for announcements and plan ahead. Between events, families can see Chicago 'L' cars at the Illinois Railway Museum, or browse CTA-themed gifts online.

Plan your visit: tips for CTA Heritage Fleet

  • Follow the CTA on Facebook and Instagram for Heritage Fleet event news.
  • Ask the CTA about private charters if you want a vintage vehicle for a group.
  • Buying from CTAgifts.com helps fund the program.
  • Talk to a person at 1-888-YOUR-CTA, weekdays 7 am to 5:30 pm.

Transit workers who volunteer their time

The Heritage Fleet is run by the Chicago Transit Authority, and its vehicles are repaired and maintained by CTA employees, retirees and industry experts who volunteer. The public helps most by buying from the CTAgifts.com online shop, booking a charter, and turning out for Heritage Fleet events.

Where to see more Chicago rail history

The Chicago History Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry are each about 2 miles from CTA headquarters, and the Illinois Railway Museum, about 51 miles away, has a barn full of restored 'L' cars. See every train museum in Illinois for more ideas.

Every train museum in Illinois

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor view from inside a dark tunnel looking out at a sunny beach and cliffs
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Chicago's trains dip into subways, and I love imagining a vintage 'L' car full of families rolling into the dark and back out again. That moment is in our book too: Rally's train goes into a dark tunnel, then there's a big bright light and happy cheers. My kids always cheer along, even on the tenth reading. You can find more picture books like ours on our train books for toddlers list.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at CTA Heritage Fleet?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

CTA Heritage Fleet: 20 questions about Chicago's vintage trains

What is the CTA Heritage Fleet?

The CTA Heritage Fleet is the Chicago Transit Authority's program to preserve and celebrate its history. It keeps vintage buses, rail cars and other equipment preserved and maintained so the public can enjoy them through charters and special events. The program was established in 2016.

Is there a CTA Heritage Fleet museum I can visit?

No, the Heritage Fleet is not a museum with regular opening hours. Its vehicles are preserved and brought out for public events and private charters. To see Chicago 'L' cars on display, the Illinois Railway Museum in Union shows restored Chicago rapid transit cars in its Barn 8.

How can I ride a CTA Heritage Fleet train?

Vintage trains and buses run during special public events announced by the CTA, and they can also be booked for private charters. Follow the CTA's news page and its Facebook and Instagram accounts for event announcements, and call 1-888-YOUR-CTA with questions about upcoming trips.

Can I charter a CTA Heritage Fleet vehicle?

Yes. Private charters are one of the ways the program is funded, along with gift shop sales. Contact the CTA through its website or at 1-888-YOUR-CTA, weekdays 7 am to 5:30 pm, to ask about availability, pricing and which vintage vehicles can be chartered.

Which 'L' cars are in the CTA Heritage Fleet?

The fleet includes four operational 6000-series 'L' cars, numbered 6101, 6102, 6711 and 6712, which are preserved and maintained under the Heritage Fleet program. The program also covers vintage buses and other equipment. The CTA's Flickr album shows photos of the collection.

What was the CTA Fall Colors Express?

The Fall Colors Express was a special trip that the CTA ran in partnership with the Illinois Railway Museum, using vintage 6000-series 'L' cars from the Heritage Fleet. Watch the CTA's news and social channels to learn whether similar trips are planned this year.

When was the CTA Heritage Fleet created?

The CTA announced the Heritage Fleet program in 2016. It is modeled after similar programs at other transit agencies and sets guidelines for preserving, maintaining and repairing the current historic vehicles and any that join the fleet in the future.

Who maintains the CTA Heritage Fleet?

Repair and upkeep of the vehicles is done through volunteer work by CTA employees, retirees and industry experts. Their time and skills keep the vintage cars and buses safe to run on today's system, which is why the vehicles can still carry passengers on special events.

How is the CTA Heritage Fleet funded?

The program is funded by revenue from CTAgifts.com, the CTA's online gift shop, and from private charters of the vintage vehicles. Buying CTA merchandise or booking a charter is the most direct way for the public to help keep the historic fleet running.

When did Chicago public transit begin?

Transit service by the CTA's predecessors dates back to the late 1850s, when the first horse-drawn streetcar ran south on State Street from downtown. The city later added cable cars, electric streetcars, elevated railways, subways and buses, all part of how Chicago and its neighborhoods grew.

When was the Chicago Transit Authority formed?

The first services under the CTA name ran in October 1947, when the agency took over the private Chicago Rapid Transit Company, which ran the 'L', and the Chicago Surface Lines, which ran streetcars and buses. It later added the Chicago Motor Coach company, forming one unified public system.

How big is the CTA today?

The CTA runs more than 3,300 rail cars and buses over more than 1,500 miles of bus and 'L' routes. On a typical weekday, its fleet travels about 380,000 miles and provides roughly 1.6 million rides to people in Chicago and 35 neighboring communities.

Where can I see photos of the CTA Heritage Fleet?

The CTA keeps a Heritage Fleet photo album on Flickr with dozens of pictures of the preserved vehicles. The Illinois Railway Museum also maintains a CTA history website. Both are handy for kids who want to see the vintage cars before an event.

Is the CTA Heritage Fleet good for kids?

Yes, a Heritage Fleet ride is a special outing for kids who love trains and buses, since the vintage cars run on the real 'L'. Because events are occasional, plan around announcements. For a regular train day out, the Illinois Railway Museum offers unlimited rides on open days.

Are CTA Heritage Fleet rides accessible?

Accessibility on vintage vehicles can differ from modern CTA trains and buses. Call 1-888-YOUR-CTA before an event to ask about access; hearing impaired callers can use 711 relay. The CTA's trip planner also offers accessible or step-free route options for getting to event locations.

Does the CTA sell vintage train gifts?

Yes. The CTA runs an online gift shop, CTAgifts.com, and its sales help fund the Heritage Fleet. The Chicago History Museum's store also sells CTA mugs, totes and umbrellas, if you want to pick something up in person while visiting a museum.

How do I contact the CTA about the Heritage Fleet?

Email feedback@transitchicago.com with detailed questions, or call 1-888-YOUR-CTA to talk to a person on weekdays from 7 am to 5:30 pm. The CTA's mailing address is 567 W. Lake Street, Chicago, IL 60661. It also offers an automated chat on its website.

Can I donate a historic CTA vehicle or item to the Heritage Fleet?

The program sets guidelines for vehicles that may join the fleet in the future, but the CTA does not post a public donation process for it. Contact the CTA at feedback@transitchicago.com to ask, or consider the Illinois Railway Museum, which accepts donations of artifacts and paperwork.

Does the Illinois Railway Museum work with the CTA Heritage Fleet?

Yes. The CTA ran the Fall Colors Express in partnership with the Illinois Railway Museum using vintage 6000-series cars. The museum, in Union, displays restored Chicago 'L' cars in Barn 8 and runs a separate CTA history website, making it the best place to see more Chicago transit equipment.

What train museums are near CTA headquarters in Chicago?

The Chicago History Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry are each about 2 miles from CTA headquarters, and Pullman National Historical Park is about 13 miles. The Fox River Trolley Museum is about 34 miles away, and the Illinois Railway Museum about 51 miles.

Keep exploring

More family train guides from Rally

Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Travel Town Museum in Los Angeles, California
Next

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad in Garibaldi, Oregon