Chicago ''L''.org: Stations

The Main station house, looking west on Chicago Avenue on June 25, 2001. Several elements such as the brickwork, quoins, and symmetry give the station house a Georgian Revival influence. For a larger view, click here. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

Main (900N/732W)
Main Street and Chicago Avenue, City of Evanston

Service Notes:

Purple Line: Evanston

Transfer to Metra: Union Pacific - North Line

Quick Facts:

Address: 836 Chicago Avenue
Established: May 16, 1908
Original Line: Northwestern Elevated Railroad, Evanston branch
Previous Names: none
Skip-Stop Type: All-Stop
Rebuilt: n/a
Status: In Use

History:

Car 4296 brings up the rear of the Linden-bound Evanston train stopped at Main, looking north on October 21, 1968. The C&NW's Main Street-Evanston station is seen on the left. Note also the 1950s-era black and white station name sign on the southbound "L" platform. For a larger view, click here. (Photo by Doug Grotjahn, Collection of Joe Testagrose)

"L" service entered Evanston by way of an agreement to use the tracks of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway on May 16, 1908, replacing the steam service that the St. Paul had previously provided. The steam railroad's original station remained, though the "L" constructed a high-level platform station of simple frame construction, all of which was demolished during the elevation of the tracks in 1909. (as per the 1907 franchise agreement from the City of Evanston).

The second station (the first actual "L" station) was constructed when the tracks were elevated, which was completed in 1910. The current station is most likely this structure. Today, Main is a ground level station house constructed of dark brick. Several elements, such as the style of the brickwork, quoins on the corners, hipped roof, formal five bay symmetry, 6/1 double-hung multipaned windows, and multipaned transoms over the doors, suggest a Georgian Revival style influence on the structure's design. The station houses only modest amenities. The fare collection booth is probably original and the interior walls are of glazed white tile. There is space for a newspaper concessionaire, but one has not occupied the station for many years. The rear of the station house opens onto a small open area which leads to a concrete tunnel beneath the tracks, through the embankment. Stairs to the each of the side platforms are on either side of the embankment.

The original side platforms, a steel structure and canopy with wood decking, remain. The original metal railings near the center the platforms (the original sections) also remain, supplemented by simpler wooden railings on the platform extensions. Newer sodium vapor "shoe box" lights and fluorescent lights beneath the canopies illuminate the platforms. Two bus stop shelters provide further protection from the elements, substituting for windbreaks. The trees surrounding the platforms have gotten quite overgrown of late, extending over the platforms and growing down onto and through the railings. The lush foliage growing on and around the early 20th century platforms give the station an almost European feel, like the type of station found on the far suburban stations of the London Underground.

In anticipation of one-person operation being implemented on the Purple (Evanston) Line, the northbound platform was extended 90 feet south over Washington Street in June 1997. This was required because the far north end of the northbound platform is slightly curved, which prevents the motorman from seeing all the way down the side of the train from the front cab window. This new extension entered service on June 16th -- with the berthing markers moved 25 feet south at the same time -- with one-person train operation (OPTO) implemented a few days later on June 22nd.

As part of the CTA's^® 2004-2008 Capital Improvement Plan, funding is provided for the design of extensive renovations at Main. The station will be accessible when reconstruction is complete. Funding was not anticipated to be available for this project until 2006-07, however. Funding was anticipated in the 2004-08 CIP for the reconstruction of Main in 2008.

The dual side platforms at Main, looking north on the southbound platform on June 25, 2001. The lush green foliage growing around the platforms give the scene a distinctly European suburban feel. For a larger view, click here. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

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A four-car train of 4000s are arriving at Main Street on a southbound Evanston Shuttle run on the morning of March 8, 1973. The cars would be unneeded for revenue service within months when the Evanston Line was converted from overhead power to third rail. (Photo by J. Terrell Colson)

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Looking north, Historic Train 4272-4271 stops at Main on the Evanston branch on a July 6, 1975 fan trip. (Photo by Doug Grotjahn, Collection of Joe Testagrose)

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3200-series car 3443, usually assigned to the Yellow Line, brings up the rear of a charter train on a CERA fantrip stopping at Main, looking north on September 3, 2000. A 2400-series train operates Evanston Shuttle service heading to Howard on the other track. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

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A 2400-series train heading to Linden stops at Main, looking south on June 25, 2001. Although the train will now the running Evanston Shuttle service, it had just come from the Loop on one of the last Evanston Express runs of the day. Note the sign on the front chains advertising service to Wrigley Field: on weekday game days, Purple Line Express trains stop at Addison -- a station otherwise skipped -- to to serve Cubs fans heading to Wrigley Field. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

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A southbound two-car Purple Line Shuttle is led by car 2838 pulling into Main station, looking north on September 26, 1999. (Photo by Mike Farrell)

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Car 2858 trails an Evanston Shuttle train of unrehabbed 2600-series cars pulling out of Main on their way north on September 26, 1999. (Photo by Mike Farrell)

cta49b.jpg (129k)
Car 49 leads a two-car southbound Evanston Express train of 1-50s stopping at Main Street on October 21, 1968. Note the station sign behind the train, which is black letters on a white background. Most pre-CTA signs were white letters on a dark blue background, although several of these types were used as well. (Photo by Doug Grotjahn, Collection of Joe Testagrose)

cta2883.jpg (117k)
Rounding the curve over Main Street in suburban Evanston, car 2883 leads a four-car Purple Line Shuttle train pulling into Main station on its way to Howard, looking north on November 17, 2001. (Photo by Mike Farrell)

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Car 2772 is at the rear of the northbound Purple Line train leaving Main station, looking north on November 17, 2001. (Photo by Mike Farrell)

Main_next.wav (146k): "Main is next. Doors open on the right at Main." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)
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Main.wav (27k): "This is Main." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

	Purple Line: Evanston
	Transfer to Metra: Union Pacific - North Line

	cta4000s09.jpg (139k) A four-car train of 4000s are arriving at Main Street on a southbound Evanston Shuttle run on the morning of March 8, 1973. The cars would be unneeded for revenue service within months when the Evanston Line was converted from overhead power to third rail. (Photo by J. Terrell Colson)
	cta4272f.jpg (141k) Looking north, Historic Train 4272-4271 stops at Main on the Evanston branch on a July 6, 1975 fan trip. (Photo by Doug Grotjahn, Collection of Joe Testagrose)
	main03.jpg (80k) 3200-series car 3443, usually assigned to the Yellow Line, brings up the rear of a charter train on a CERA fantrip stopping at Main, looking north on September 3, 2000. A 2400-series train operates Evanston Shuttle service heading to Howard on the other track. (Photo by Graham Garfield)
	main04.jpg (162k) A 2400-series train heading to Linden stops at Main, looking south on June 25, 2001. Although the train will now the running Evanston Shuttle service, it had just come from the Loop on one of the last Evanston Express runs of the day. Note the sign on the front chains advertising service to Wrigley Field: on weekday game days, Purple Line Express trains stop at Addison -- a station otherwise skipped -- to to serve Cubs fans heading to Wrigley Field. (Photo by Graham Garfield)
	cta2838a.jpg (134k) A southbound two-car Purple Line Shuttle is led by car 2838 pulling into Main station, looking north on September 26, 1999. (Photo by Mike Farrell)
	cta2858b.jpg (135k) Car 2858 trails an Evanston Shuttle train of unrehabbed 2600-series cars pulling out of Main on their way north on September 26, 1999. (Photo by Mike Farrell)
	cta49b.jpg (129k) Car 49 leads a two-car southbound Evanston Express train of 1-50s stopping at Main Street on October 21, 1968. Note the station sign behind the train, which is black letters on a white background. Most pre-CTA signs were white letters on a dark blue background, although several of these types were used as well. (Photo by Doug Grotjahn, Collection of Joe Testagrose)
	cta2883.jpg (117k) Rounding the curve over Main Street in suburban Evanston, car 2883 leads a four-car Purple Line Shuttle train pulling into Main station on its way to Howard, looking north on November 17, 2001. (Photo by Mike Farrell)
	cta2772.jpg (123k) Car 2772 is at the rear of the northbound Purple Line train leaving Main station, looking north on November 17, 2001. (Photo by Mike Farrell)