Would the Gray Line use CTA “L” cars?
No, Gray Line service would be provided by the Metra “Highliner” electric multiple-unit two-level gallery cars as seen above, which presently operate on the Electric District. The “Metra” logos on the car sides would be masked over by CTA logos, with this legend beneath: CTA Gray Line / A CTA service – provided through Metra – for CTA patrons CTA’s “L” system rolling stock and physical plant (600v DC – third rail power collection), and Metra’s Electric District systems (1,500v DC – overhead catenary power collection), are totally incompatable without extremely expensive modifications to either or both. The “Highliners” represent a much more cost efficent way of transporting passengers than CTA rolling stock anyway, besides being much more comfortable (although they do have a somewhat longer station dwell time due to less doors per passenger). Each Highliner seats 156, more seats than THREE CTA “L” cars (48-49 each), so a TWO car Highliner consist has as many seats as SIX “L” cars (alth
