In 1992 the CTA had 158 6000 series cars left, but only a handful were operational. There were an additional 12 units that were rebuilt as Snowfighters. The retired 6000's had been being stored at various points along the system. But, as soon as the Wicker Park Line was nearing completion, the CTA decided to go along with a plan to rehab and in some cases rebuild the 6000 series into 21st century transit vehicles, while saving the cost of contracting a job for brand new cars.
Unit 6645-6646 was delivered on December 20, 1992 by barge (the bridges weren't open yet). On the following day, they ran between 31st and 55th catering mostly to development workers and construction crews. They even hauled flatcars with building materials for a time. Within days 30 more units, along with some 1-50 series cars and 2000's, were delivered and in service.
At the same time the brand new state-of-the-art 31st St. Shops accepted an additional 8 units to be used for parts and 24 units for rehab. On May 9, 1993 the cars emerged in like new condition. They were given new motors, couplers, body reconditioning, air conditioning, new controls and improved brakes, truck upgrades, and one door per side rebuilt for handicap use, while still retaining its exterior apperance. (These were restored to blinkers after wheelchairs became obsolete)
Within a few years all cars had been rehabbed. Then, curoiusly, more 6000's appeared in service. First, a batch of cars that were converted to Snowfighters in the wake of the 1979 blizzard, were rehabbed for passenger use. They retained thier work equipment and yellow livery. Next, SEPTA (Philadelphia) received new cars for thier Norristown Express line, rendering the 6000's they purchased in 1986-87 obsolete. CTA offered to take the cars back, and after a quick rehab they were back in service. Some of these cars were repainted in SEPTA colors and never received new paint upon reentry to CTA service, making for some interesting consists. Only unit 6069-70 was deemed in too poor a condition, and never made it back.
While the 6000's provided the backbone of service for MITS for several years, the time came when some had to be put out of thier misery. With the arrival of all new 7500 series cars, the 6000's weren't relied upon as heavily. Some were retired and held for charters, while others were needed for parts. Some were considered so worthless from wear and tear, that a 31st Shops supervisor, said he thought they would just collapse on themselves, ala the "Blues Brothers" car. Some were not seen as safe for passengers, and these cars went into work service. All cars that remain today are rush hour or owl service only. The 6000's are approaching 65 years of service, so we can only hope they will press on for a few more triumphant years. |
