| ORIGINS |
| I have lived only 22 years, but have been a big fan of the Chicago Transit Authority for every one of them. I grew up on a small street (Allen Ave.) where I could hear the Logan Square Subway in my basement. Every weekend I would nag my mother to take me on the train. This was, at least, cheaper than than buying toys or going to Chuck E Cheese. I was unfortuante in that I did not realize that one day there would be no 6000's, no 1-50's, and no 2000's. A couple years after they were retired, I started to get nostalgic about them. I was at the library and I picked up a book about the CTA and started reading. The idea of a layout came when I was in studyhall during my sophomore year of high school. I sketched out a plan that has kept its basic shape ever since. I did make an attempt to build it. Though I didn't get far (it was ghastly) I kept trying from time to time. I took advantage of my woodworking class and made what I thought was a beautiful model of my 35th Street subway station, complete with escalators and fare collection. However, somebody didn't think it was so nice and broke it. So, I finally gave it another go last year. My progress has been slow due to funding, but so far I have a few nice buildings, my 65th Street Yard almost ready, and a few different L structures, some plastic and some wood. I am in touch with someone who may build body shells for me. The first additions will be 6000's, followed by the rest in chronological order. I hope you will come to enjoy the world of Michigan Island! |
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| A Brief History on Michigan Island Transit |
| 1984- *Through a freak seismic occurance a land mass is formed in Lake Michigan. 1991- *After a Supreme Court decision Michigan Island is granted to Illinois. *The Waters Hotel is built on the corner of 43rd & Allen out of used building materials. It houses the development crew who dub the area "Junktown". 1992- *Citing growth and need a short transit line is built over Wicker Park between 55th and 31st Streets. It is also used to haul frieght. *The 35th Street Bridge opens. *Population reaches 75,000 the island becomes a seperate congressional district. *The first mayoral election is won by Louis Richfield (like the lunchmeat, get it?) who served until his death in 2008. 1993- * A downtown district adjacent to the Loop is started. The Wicker Park Ave. Line is extended to Lake Street. * Michigan Island receives the last of the 6000 Series. * Metra opens two lines; one as a thru service to Chicago and one to Gary. 1994- * Population reaches 150,000. * The Hyman G. Rickover Nuclear Power Plant opens. CTA extends the Wicker Park Line to Allen/Belmont * Michigan Island Transit Services is formed as a subsidiary of the CTA and assumes control of North-South bus routes. * A spur to the Rickover Plant is opened for workers. * The Eastman Electric Line begins construction. It is opened on June 1, 1995. 1995- * MITS takes a delivery of 1-50 and 2200 series cars for the new transit lines. |
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