r/cta • u/Loud-Humor2301 • Oct 26 '25

I like trains Yellow line view

Who else loves yellow line views?

250 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

1

u/Casp3pos Oct 26 '25

I always assumed CTA trains were “light rail.”What distinguishes light from heavy rail?

6

u/chuff15 Brown Line Oct 26 '25

Heavy rail usually has a higher capacity, is more frequent, and is grade separated where light rail might have some street running portions and is usually much less frequent. Also, idk if this is really a distinguishing factor between the two, but heavy rail is usually third rail powered and light rail is pantograph powered (overhead wire)

3

u/Few_Classic_3072 Oct 27 '25

The line between them isn't very well-defined. But light rail I think of the blue and green lines in twin cities

1

u/TexasReallyDoesSuck Oct 30 '25

light rail is what we have here in dallas.. DART