CTA Surface System History presented by the Illinois Railway Museum

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We have been fortunate enough to be the recipient of many CTA Employee "Carry-All" packets. Although there is a document that outlines what is in each packet, it seems that different employees in different jobs had different contents. The differences may also be due to time period and/or personal preference. Below listed is every item that we found in Carry-Alls. Single page items are usually in .jpg format while multiple page items are usually in .pdf format. The titles give you an idea of what is contained in each memo. The date listed is the either from the document itself or it is our best guess as to its issuance, unless we can't make an educated guess.








  • Accident Procedure - No Date
  • Actions at Stop Indications - 08/1967
  • Actions at Stop Indications - 05/1974
  • All-Electric Car Braking - 09/1964
  • All-Electric Car Braking - 03/1968

  • Announce All Stops - 08/1976
  • Announcements Bring Customer Satisfaction - 1958
  • Announcements Bring Customer Satisfaction - 01/1974
  • Attendance Reminder - 07/11/1980

  • Below Freeing Door Operation - 12/11/1972 (Personnel)
  • Below Freeing Door Operation - 12/11/1972 (T&PS)
  • Boarding and Alighting - 06/1975
  • Braking for 4000s - 03/1965

  • Bus Operators General Info #2 - 01/1977
  • Bus Operator Troubleshooting Guide - 01/2010
  • Bus Radio Checkpoints - 02/1971
  • Bus Radio Maintenance - 02/1971

  • Bypass Authority - 08/1977
  • Bypass Authorization Rule 178b - c1974
  • Bypass Authorization Rule 178b - 07/1974
  • Bypass Authorization Rule 178b - 07/1974

  • Bypass Authorization Rule 178b - 08/1974
  • Bypass Authorization Rule 221b - c1974
  • Bypass on North-South for 6000s - 12/1973
  • Bypass on North-South for 6000s - 05/1974

  • Cab Signal (Blue) - 04/1974
  • Cab Signal (White) - 04/1974
  • Cab Signal - 09/1969
  • Cab Signal - 02/1970
  • Cab Signal Aspects - 02/07/1977

  • Cab Signal Aspects - 02/09/1977
  • Call Codes - 03/1974
  • Call Codes - 08/1974
  • Call Codes - 01/1976
  • Call Codes - 02/1977

  • Call Codes - 05/1978
  • Call Codes - 10/1985
  • Call Codes - 02/1989 (Purple)
  • Call Codes - 02/1989 (Yellow)
  • Call Codes - 03/1991 (Orange)

  • Call Codes (Yellow) - 03/1991
  • Carry-All Cover - No Date
  • Carry-All Contents for Surface Operators - 02/1968
  • Carry-All Contents for Surface Operators - 05/1974
  • Cab Signal-Lake Branch - 09/1967

  • Changes to Car 4 - 01/1966
  • Changing Lanes -05/1964
  • Changing Lanes - 04/1974
  • Cineston Key in 2200s Controller - 02/1970
  • Cineston Modifications in 2000s (Personnel) - 01/1967

  • Cineston Modifications in 2000s (T&AP) - 01/1967
  • Classification of Accidents - No Date
  • Clearing a Trolley Block Ground - 1961 rev. 11/1966
  • Clearing a Trolley Block Ground - 11/1966
  • Common Rapid Transit Terms - 06/1969

  • Conducting Line Instruction - 09/1963
  • Conductors Use of Zone Switches - 07/1972
  • Controller Damage on 2200s (Personnel) - 11/1971
  • Controller Damage on 2200s (T&AP) - 11/1971
  • Converter On Lights 2000s - 05/1966

  • Correcting Service Delays - 04/1971
  • Coupling 6000s to Flat Cars - 07/1975
  • Coupling All-Electric Cars - 09/1969
  • Coupling All-Electric Cars - 12/1969
  • Courtesy In CTA - 08/1956

  • Courtesy to Passengers - 01/1967
  • Crew Delay Responsibilities - 08/1975
  • Criminal Complaint Card - No Date
  • Crossing Between Cars - No Date

  • Crossovers on the Congress Route - 08/1962
  • CTA Emergencies - No Date
  • Curbing Procedures - 03/1963
  • Curbing Procedures - 04/1974

  • Dan Ryan-Kennedy Power Switch Operation - 01/1970
  • Dany Ryan Power Switch Operation - 09/1969
  • Defensive Driving Guide - 03/1960
  • Derailment Detector - 08/1968
  • Des Plaines Yard - 11/1972

  • Don't False Start - 06/21/1978
  • Door Operation - 08/1965
  • Driving on Slippery Streets (T&AP) - 03/1963
  • Driving on Slippery Streets (Training) - 03/1963

  • Emergency Alarm Procedure - No Date
  • Emergency AlarmSystem - 04/1958
  • Emergency Info-Blue Line Dearborn Subway - 04/10/1995
  • Emergency Info-Dearborn Subway - 11/15/1993
  • Emergency Info-Kimball-O'Hare Subways - 11/15/1993

  • Emergency Info-Red Line Subways - 04/10/1995
  • Emergency Info-State Street & Dan Ryan Subways - 11/15/1993
  • Emergency Operation of Kimball Tower (Dark Yellow) - 1963
  • Emergency Operation of Kimball Tower (Light Yellow) - 1963

  • Employees Guide to the Skokie Swift - 12/1968
  • Employees Guide to the Skokie Swift - 08/1972
  • Equipment Trouble-Bus & Radio - 08/1973
  • Establish Contact With Controller - 01/1976

  • Evanston Fare Structure - 09/1973
  • Evanston Stations and Transfer Points - 02/1974
  • Evanston Stations and Transfer Points - 05/1974
  • Evanston Transfer - 09/1973

  • Evanston Trolley Pole - 07/1966
  • Expressway Operation - 05/1973
  • Expressway Operation - 04/1974
  • Extra Guard SB at Howard - 07/1966

  • Fares at 52nd St. Station - 07/1970
  • Fares at 52nd St. Station - 06/1973
  • Fares at 52nd St. Station - 10/1973
  • Fares at 77th St. Station - 06/1973
  • Fares at 77th St. Station - 10/1973

  • Fares at Archer Station - 10/1973
  • Fares at Forest Glen Station - 10/1973
  • Fares at Kedzie Station - 01/1974
  • Fares at Limits Station - 06/1973
  • Fares at North Park Station - 06/1973

  • Filling Out Line Instructor's Report - 04/1970
  • Fire Protection Procedures - No Date
  • Fire Protection Procedures - 12/1967
  • Fire Protection Procedures - 06/1973
  • Fire Protection Procedures - 06/1975

  • Flagging Procedure (Personnel) - 06/1971
  • Flagging Procedure (T&AP) - 06/1971
  • Following Moving Traffic - 03/1966
  • Following Moving Traffic (Personnel) - 01/1975
  • Following Moving Traffic (Training) - 01/1975

  • General Information #1 - 07/1976
  • General Information #2 (Green) - 10/1976
  • General Information #2 (White) - 10/1976
  • Guide to the 2400s Train Radio - 10/1976
  • Guide to Bus and Radio Trouble - 08/1973

  • Guide to Bus and Radio Trouble - 11/1976
  • Guide to Equipment Trouble - 03/1985
  • Guide to Evanston Service - 07/1970
  • Guide to Evanston Service - 08/1972

  • Guide to Skokie Swift Service - 09/1965
  • Guide to Train Phones - 09/1969
  • Guide to Train Phones - 05/1970
  • Guide to Train Phones - 02/1974

  • Harlem Yard Map - No Date
  • Howard Yard Map - 07/1972

  • Improvements on 9600 Series Buses - 03/1977
  • Informing Passengers of Delays (Ticket Agents) - 01/1971
  • Informing Passengers of Delays (Train Crews) - 01/1971

  • Intercompany Transfer Riders Memo - 05/1951
  • Intersection Operation - 05/1964
  • Intersection Operation - 04/1974

  • Jury Duty - 02/1977

  • Kimball Station North End Guard - 07/1966
  • Kimball Yard Map - No Date

  • Leaving A Service Stop - 05/1964
  • Leaving A Service Stop - 05/1971
  • Leaving A Service Stop - 03/1973

  • Leaving A Service Stop (HRD) - 04/1974
  • Leaving A Service Stop (Personnel) - 04/1974
  • Let's Go For Four - 01/1973

  • Maintaining Good Relations - No Date
  • Making A Left Turn - 10/1963
  • Making A Left Turn - 12/1967
  • Making A Left Turn - 04/1974
  • Making A Right Turn - 10/1963

  • Making A Right Turn - 04/1974
  • Making Announcements - 07/1972
  • Marker Lights - 09/1969
  • Marker Lights - 02/1974
  • Marker Lights - 04/1974

  • Marker Lights - 03/08/1988
  • Milwaukee-Dearborn Subway Emergency Info (Temp) - No Date
  • Milwaukee-Dearborn Subway Emergency Info - 03/09/1961
  • Milwaukee-Kimball Subway Emergency Info (Temp) - No Date
  • Milwaukee-Kimball Subway Emergency Info - 03/1970

  • Mirror Adjustment - 04/1965
  • Mirror Adjustment - 04/1974
  • Misc Duties - No Date
  • Misc Duties - 02/1975
  • Misc Info On 4000s - 04/1957

  • Nature Of Call - 09/1974
  • No Smoking Announcement Points - 01/1970
  • North-South Stations and Transfer Points - 10/1969
  • North-South Stations and Transfer Points - 09/1973

  • Operating 1000 Series Buses - 08/1972
  • Operating 1000 Series Buses - 09/1972
  • Operating 1000 and 7400 Series Buses - 04/1974
  • Operating Line Car S-606 - 1964
  • Operating Manual Track Switches - 11/1973

  • Operating Test Trains - 12/1971
  • Operation at 53rd Ave. Interlocking - 11/1970
  • Operation at 53rd Ave. Interlocking - 12/1970
  • Operation at 53rd Ave. Interlocking - 04/1973
  • Operation at 59th St. Junction - 05/1965

  • Operation at 59th St. Junction - 09/1975
  • Operation at Jackson Park Terminal - 04/1962
  • Operation at Jackson Park Termainl - 05/1962
  • Operation at Kimball Terminal (Green) - 12/1963
  • Operation at Kimball Terminal (White) - 12/1963

  • Operation at Loomis Junction - 09/1960
  • Operation at Pavement Markers - 06/1967
  • Operation at Pavement Markers - 05/1973
  • Operation at Pavement Markers - 04/1974
  • Operation at Tower 12 - 09/1969

  • Operation at Tower 12 - 10/1972
  • Operation of 59th Junction Panel at 61st Tower (Blue) - 05/1965
  • Operation of 59th Junction Panel at 61st Tower (Yellow) - 05/1965
  • Overtime Slip - 07/1975

  • Panel Operation at 59th Junction (Green)- 05/1965
  • Panel Operation at 59th Junction (Pink) - 05/1965
  • Parking Brakes - 06/1967
  • Passing and Being Passed - 03/1966
  • Passing and Being Passed (Old Logo) - 04/1974

  • Passing and Being Passed (New Logo) - 04/1974
  • Passing People on Tracks - 03/1966
  • Passing People on Tracks - 06/1973
  • Pay Info - 08/1975
  • Pay Information for Rapid Transit - 07/1976

  • Plugging Power Control Relay - 01/1969
  • Power Isolation on the Congress Route - 08/1960
  • Power Isolation on the North-South, Douglas and Ravenswood - 06/1966
  • Power Switches at 95th St. - 10/1972

  • Pre-Pullout Check - 03/1966
  • Pre-Pullout Check - 07/1973
  • Pre-Pullout Check - 04/1974
  • Proper Use of Track Brake - 08/1973

  • Protecting A Stalled Train - 03/1963
  • Public Address System - 03/1958
  • Punching Zones - No Date
  • Punching Zones - 03/1974

  • Questions for the Student Motorman - No Date
  • Questions for the Student Motorman - 05/1972

  • Radio Guide - 06/1973
  • Rail Code ID Map - 03/18/1993
  • Rates of Fare - 09/1969
  • Rates of Fare - 08/1972
  • Rates of Fare - 04/1973

  • Rates of Fare - 05/1973
  • Ravenswood Stations and Transfer Points - 10/1969
  • Ravenswood Stations and Transfer Points - 11/1973
  • Red Circle of Danger - 06/1968
  • Red Circle of Danger - 02/1969

  • Reporting Trouble - 03/1966
  • Reporting Trouble - 11/1972
  • Reporting Trouble (New Logo) - 04/1974
  • Reporting Trouble (Old Logo) - 04/1974
  • Reporting Trouble and Emergencies - 05/1975

  • Railroad Station Info - 06/1980
  • Rule 178b - 12/1970
  • Rule 178b - 09/1974

  • Rule 216 - No Date
  • Rulews Concerning Alertness - 04/1967
  • Rules Concerning Alertness - 11/1973

  • Safety on Tracks (2 page) - 11/1972
  • Safety on Tracks (4 page) - 11/1972
  • Safety Rules for Track Work - 06/1971
  • Senior Citizen Count - No Date
  • Servicing Bus Radios - 09/1973

  • Setting Up Trouble on 2200s - 04/1975
  • Signal Aspects - 03/1959
  • Signal Aspects - 11/1959
  • Signal Aspects - 02/1966
  • Signal Aspects - 09/1969

  • Signal Aspects - 06/1973
  • Skokie and SW Skokie Route Guide - 05/1975
  • Skokie Bus Operators Guide - 1959
  • Skokie Bus Operators Guide - 07/1970
  • Skokie Bus Operators Guide - 08/1972

  • Sleet Devices Operation - 02/1969
  • Sleet Scrapers - 02/1977
  • Special Instructions for Cars 6515-6516 - 03/1973
  • Special RCCO Instructions for 2200s - 06/1971
  • Speed at Curves - 01/1971

  • Speed Limiting Areas (Tan) - 08/1965
  • Speed Limiting Areas (Yellow) - 08/1965
  • Starting All-Electric Cars - 04/1968
  • Starting and Stopping - 05/1964
  • Starting and Stopping (HRD) - 04/1974

  • Starting and Stopping (Personnel) - 04/1974
  • State & Dearborn Operations - 04/1976
  • State Street Subway Emergency Info (Temp) - No Date
  • State Street Subway Emergency Info - No Date
  • Stations and Transfers - Evanston Route - 10/1969

  • Student Operators Line Instruction - 04/1970
  • Sunday Supertransfers - 07/1975
  • Supervisory Call Codes - 04/1978
  • Supervisory Call Codes - 03/1980
  • Surveillence Card - 06/1977

  • Tell Tale Lights on All-Electric Cars - 03/1970
  • Temp and Part-Time Employees - 06/1974
  • Testing Bus Radios - 02/1971
  • The Emergency Alarm - 10/1972
  • Tips to Get Courtesy Cards - No Date

  • Topic of the Month-Refund Procedures - 09/1975
  • Topic of the Month-Refund Procedures - 01/1977
  • Trainmen Training Info - 07/1974
  • Trainphone Troubleshooting - 09/1970
  • Train Signals - 10/1965

  • Train Signals - 09/1969
  • Transfer Instructions - 03/08/1976
  • Transfer Practice Sheets - 06/1975
  • Transfer Regulations (Green) - 05/1959
  • Transfer Regulations (White) - 05/1959

  • Transfer Regulations - 02/1962
  • Transfer Zone Boundries (Old Logo) - 05/1974
  • Transfer Zone Boundries - 05/1974
  • Troubleshooting 2000s - 05/1972
  • Troubleshooting 2000s - 11/1973

  • Troubleshooting 2200s - 09/1969
  • Troubleshooting 2200s (Green) - 02/1971
  • Troubleshooting 2200s (Yellow) - 02/1971
  • Troubleshooting 2200s - 03/1972
  • Troubleshooting 4000s - 03/1955

  • Troubleshooting 5000s, 6000s and Singles - 01/1962
  • Troubleshooting 6000s - 05/1951
  • Troubleshooting 6000s - 05/1958
  • Troubleshooting 6000s & Singles - 05/1972
  • Troubleshooting 6000s & Singles - 10/1973

  • Troubleshooting Brakes on 4000s - 03/1962
  • Troubleshooting Doors on 2000s & 2200s - 03/1970
  • Troubleshooting Doors on the Rapid Transit (Old Logo)- 01/1966
  • Troubleshooting Doors on the Rapid Transit (New Logo)- 01/1966
  • Troubleshooting Electrical on 4000s - 03/1955

  • Troubleshooting Electrical on 4000s - 08/1957
  • Turning On A Guideline - 03/1966
  • Turning On A Guideline - 04/1974
  • Turning On Heat In Rapid Transit Cars - 12/1967
  • Types of Riders - 12/1972

  • Uniform Inspection - 03/1969
  • Use of Hand Jumper - 10/1959
  • Use of Public Address System - 04/1973
  • Use of Zone Switches - 10/1976
  • Using CTA Dial Phones - 09/01/1979

  • Vocal Contact With Controller - 01/1976
  • Vocal Contact With Controller (Personnel Development) - 02/1977
  • Vocal Contact With Controller (Training Development) - 02/1977

  • Waiting For Connections - 05/1983
  • Walking Transfers - 01/01/1950
  • Walking Transfers - 01/1963
  • Walking Transfers - 03/1970 (Rapid Transit)
  • Walking Transfers - 03/1970 (Surface System)

  • Westchester Bus Operators Guide - 1959
  • Westchester Bus Operators Guide - 07/1970
  • When to Remove 600v - 07/1963
  • White Light Troubleshooting on 2200s - 05/1972
  • West-Northwest Stations and Transfer Points (Green) - 10/1969

  • West-Northwest Stations and Transfer Points - 09/1973
  • West-Northwest Stations and Transfer Points - 03/1974
  • West-South Stations and Transfer Points (Blue) - 10/1969

  • Working With 6000s Type Couplers - 07/1976
  • West-South Stations and Transfer Points - 09/13/1970
  • West-South Stations and Transfer Points - 09/1973

  • 5¢ Fare Table - 07/1961
  • 10¢ Fare Table - 11/1967
  • 13th St. Interlocking - 05/1972
  • 15¢ Fare Table - 11/1959
  • 20¢ Fare Table - 11/1967

  • 24 Hour Clock - No Date
  • 25¢ Fare Table - 05/1960
  • 30¢ Fare Table - 11/1967
  • 35¢ Fare Table - No Date
  • 35c Fare Table - 11/1967

  • 40¢ Fare Table (HRD) - No Date
  • 40¢ Fare Table - No Date
  • 45¢ Fare Table (HRD) - 11/1967
  • 45¢ Fare Table - 11/1967
  • 50¢ Fare Table - 11/1967

  • 55¢ Fare Table - No Date
  • 60¢ Fare Table (HRD) - No Date
  • 60¢ Fare Table - No Date
  • 63rd St. Yard Map - 01/1973
  • 65¢ Fare Table - No Date

  • 70¢ Fare Table - No Date
  • 75¢ Fare Table - No Date
  • 80¢ Fare Table - 09/1976
  • 85¢ Fare Table - No Date
  • 90¢ Fare Table - 09/1976

  • 1969-The Exciting Year - 10/1969



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