Metropolitan main line (CTA)


The Metropolitan main line is a defunct rapid transit line which was part of the Chicago "L" system. The line ran west from downtown at the Wells Street Terminal, to Marshfield Junction. At this point the Garfield Park branch continued westward, while the Douglas Park branch turned south, and the Logan Square branch turned north with the Humboldt Park branch branching from it. The Metropolitan main line served eight stations aside from those in the Loop. The line opened on May 6, 1895, and closed on June 22, 1958, upon the opening of the Congress branch.

History

The Metropolitan main line opened on May 6, 1895; trains initially ran from to Marshfield, where they continued onto the Logan Square branch and eventually the other branches. The Franklin Street Terminal opened on May 13, extending the line eastward. This terminal was closed in 1897, and the line was routed to the Loop via Van Buren Street. The Wells Street Terminal opened on October 3, 1904, and Metropolitan main line trains terminated at both this terminal and the Loop. In 1951, the Milwaukee/Dearborn Subway opened, and Logan Square branch trains were rerouted to the subway; at the same time, the Humboldt Park branch became a shuttle service, leaving only the Garfield Park and Douglas Park branches operating on the main line. Wells Street Terminal and closed in 1951, and and both closed in 1954. station closed in 1955; trains on the line entered the Loop from the Wells Street track after this point. The Metropolitan main line closed on June 22, 1958 upon the opening of the Congress branch, which also replaced the Garfield Park branch.

Station listing