These images from negatives are available thanks to Art Peterson. He is the curator of the Krambles-Peterson Archive which contains a wealth of historical photos from Chicago transit. Art has generously allowed us to share some of the images from the archive. When available, he has also provided dates, locations, photographers, background/historical information on the photos. Thanks so much Art!!
Some background on the images in this section: Chicago Surface Lines' practice was for each carbarn clerk to have a camera and film on hand to record cars that were involved in accidents/incidents. These could have been very minor incidents, so there would be no apparent damage to the car.
Unfortunately, many of these negatives (the bulk are 4x5 negs, though there were some barns that had smaller format cameras at one time or another) were shot and developed without receiving any back-up data on them (why or when the photo was taken). Another limitation is that not every clerk was skilled at shooting these images, so there were some that were taken under less-than-ideal conditions.
Due to the massive volume of these negatives, retention of them by Chicago Transit Authority was out of the question. Knowing that George Krambles and Bill Janssen were fans, they were alerted to when disposals were scheduled at West Shops. CTA had the foresight to let them take what they wanted prior to disposal.
KPp0001 - Chicago Railways (CRys) #104 - Pullman - 10/29/1908
The Pullman photographer recorded this 3/4 view of the 104 for the company files. The large-format negative produces a wonderful, sharp image of the then-new car. Photographed at Pullman on October 29, this car was delivered to CRys and placed in service on October 31, 1908.
In the early 1970s, Pullman-Standard (PS) wanted to dispose of its vast collection of glass plate and film negatives. They reached out to Art Dubin about this, and he and George went down to the PS plant to remove the negatives.
Many were in rough shape. Art and George arranged with Al Johnson to bring the negatives to his home in Chicago, where Al would work on washing and refixing the negatives. The mainline railroad negatives were divided between the Smithsonian and the California Railroad Museums. George retained the interurban and transit subjects, which is how this negative of CRys 104 came to be preserved.
KPp0002 - Chicago Surface Lines #144 - Limits Car House - Undated
This is one of the typical CSL carbarn 'collection' images - the 144 was received and placed in service on November 4, 1908.
KPp0003 - Chicago Surface Lines #173 - Interior - Undated
Another of the CSL carbarn 'collection' negatives, this could have been taken following a slip-and-fall incident on the car. Car 173 was received and placed in service on November 19, 1908. The car was scrapped on April 17, 1948.
KPp0004 - Chicago Surface Lines #188 - Grand & State - 03/09/1935
CSL took photos for training purposes, as well. This 4x5 neg came from the CSL's Central Offices (Clark & Division), but ended up in the at West Shops for George and Bill to save.
In this instance, the negative was dated - March 9, 1935 and the location was noted - Grand & State. The photo was made to reinforce the message to motormen that when delayed by an auto blocking the tracks, the direction, location and time of the incident should be recorded.
KPp0005 - Chicago Surface Lines #204 - West Shops - 1935
Up until the late 1920s, official CSL photographs were shot on 8x10-format cameras, originally as glass plate negatives and transitioning into film negatives. The large-format negatives were superseded by 4x5 negatives. This broadside of the recently-rebuilt car 204 was made at West Shops during 1935.
The 204 was damaged by fire on October 16, 1934. It was extensively rebuilt at West Shops, and was released for service on March 23, 1935.
KPp0006 - Chicago Surface Lines #210 & #1755 - Century of Progress Terminal - 07/1933
Bob Mehlenbeck was an active photographer from an early date. He also happened to be a huge fan of CSL, being absolutely mesmerized by the extent of the service, etc. During July 1933, Bob took this photo of the #210 and #1755 at the Century of Progress streetcar terminal.
The #210 would be scrapped by CSL on June 5, 1947, while the #1755 would survive into the CTA era, going to scrap on April 5, 1954.
KPp0007 - Chicago Surface Lines #243 - Clark & Belden - Undated
George Krambles took this undated photo of CSL #243 on Clark at Belden. This car was received by CRys and placed in service on December 9, 1908. CTA scrapped this car on October 7, 1954.
KPp0008 - Chicago Surface Lines #289 - North Avenue Car House Yard - c1934
Another of the carbarn "collection" photos. Note the "Crawford" reading on the destination sign - the move to change Crawford to Pulaski was begun in 1933, though the battle would rage on through 1952. Coincidentally, the 289 was scrapped on September 4 of that year.
KPp0009 - Chicago Surface Lines #323 - 18th Street Century of Progress Gate - 08/01/1933
Immaculately turned-out (one of 1,336 cars CSL would overhaul during that year), 323 heads a line of cars at the "Century of Progress" 18th Street gate. Construction of the extension to the Fair began on June 22 and was opened for operation on August 1, 1933.
KPp0010 - Chicago Surface Lines #337 - Northbound on Clark near Armitage - Undated
Late summer afternoon light enhances George Krambles's view of the northbound #337 on Clark near Armitage. This car was received and placed in service on January 14, 1909. CTA scrapped the car on August 2, 1954.
KPp0011 - Chicago Surface Lines #388 - West Shops - 07/05/1923
During 1920, CSL transitioned from its traditional dark green livery to the carmine red and light cream (to increase car visibility), as seen here. This was one of 3,417 cars in the active fleet at that time, of which, 2,754 had been bought since June 30, 1906.
KPp0012 - Chicago Surface Lines #418 - 23rd Street Viaduct - 1934
#418 is closest to the cameraman in this view taken on the Cermak extension (23rd Viaduct) to the "Century of Progress" fair. City Council permission for the construction of the extension was granted on May 20, 1933. The extension was to open just 12 days later (June 1, 1933) requiring round-the-clock work by construction forces.
KPp0013 - Chicago Surface Lines #499 & Chicgo & West Towns #154 - Cermak & Kenton - 10/13/1938
George Krambles caught CSL #499 and C&WT #154 at the Cermak-Kenton terminal. C&WT #154 was built by Cummings in 1927 (using components salvaged from the 500-series cars) and would be scrapped in 1947. The 1909-vintage #499 would not be scrapped until November 10, 1952.
KPp0014 - Chicago Surface Lines #504 - Armitage Carhouse - Undated
This view shows the #504 sitting on the transfer table at the Armitage Carhouse. The transfer table was used to access the 13 outdoor storage tracks (with a capacity of 76 double-truck cars), as well as four tracks to the east of the transfer table that were used for car washing/equipped with trench drains.
KPp0015 - Chicago Surface Lines #505 - West Shops - 06/17/1920
In an example of one of the company's 8x10 glass plate negatives, the photographer has focused on the recently-rebuilt car #505 sitting outside West Shops on June 17, 1920. Adorned in the then-current dark green paint scheme, the car would enter service the next day, operating with homebuilt trailer #8000. The #505 had been rebuilt with couplers, air doors and brake system modifications for this duty.
KPp0016 - Chicago Surface Lines #505 - West Shops - 06/17/1920
Another photo of rebuild Pullman motor #505, this time with homebuilt (at West Shops) trailer #8000. The photographer has helpfully noted the start date of the trailer's construction (March 26, 1920) and the completion date is the photo date - June 17, 1920. The pair were released for service the following day.
KPp0017 - Chicago Surface Lines #505 - West Shops - 06/17/1920
The photographer focused his 8x10 camera on the interior of the newly-rebuilt motor #505. This car would be on the roster for another 26 years, going to scrap on January 4, 1946.
KPp0018 - Chicago Surface Lines #521 & #8056 - West Shops - c1921
The trees in full leaf behind the #521 and the #8056 indicate this view was taken during the summer of 1921. Brill delivered the trailer to CSL on July 26, 1921, but the car would not go into operation until the following winter, on February 4, 1922. The fading of this negative around the edges indicates that it was shot on the unstable, nitrate-based film (immediate successor to the glass plates). The deterioration would continue to advance across the negative until the image was completely destroyed.
KPp0019 - Chicago Surface Lines #542 - West Shops - Undated
Another immaculately-turned-out Pullman was captured by the company photographer in this undated image. The section of two-story building to the right of the #542 indicates the car is sitting on the through track (from Lake Street) that connected to the Maypole Avenue transfer table.
KPp0020 - Chicago Railways (CRys) #555 - Location Unknown - 1933
CSL and CRT took two different routes towards photographic work. CSL had its own staff photographers (in addition to the carbarn-assigned cameras mentioned in previous captions), while CRT contracted out the photographic work (in common with the other Insull-controlled properties) to AF Scholz's Logan Square Studio.
Negatives shot by the CSL General Office photographers were assigned a unique negative number indicating the assignment and ending with a two-digit year code. This copy negative of CRys #555 was shot in 1933 to preserve the historic image.
KPp0021 - Chicago Surface Lines #573 - Grand, Halsted & Milwaukee - 07/01/1919
If there was any doubt about Chicago's commitment to the streetcar, this image should dispel that. A virtually solid wall of dark green cars was pounding across the intersection of Grand, Halsted and Milwaukee at 5 pm on July 1, 1919. In the background of the view, open platform cars on a C&NW suburban train are crossing Grand Avenue.
KPp0022 - Chicago Surface Lines #574 - Armitage Car Barn - Undated
One of the carbarn camera views shows #574 sitting on the Armitage Avenue tracks in front of the carbarn following an accident. Sharp-eyed readers will spot the "hold in" run tag, marking the car for repair to its headlight, end windows and dash panels, etc.
The lead tracks in the pavement in front of the car connect to into the repair/storage bay towards the east end of the barn. The lead coming out under the front truck of the #574 also fed the short-turn loop track through the barn.
KPp0023 - Chicago Surface Lines #601 - Washington & Clinton - 05/07/1932
Bob Mehlenbeck focused his camera on the rear end of #601 leaving the intersection of Washington and Clinton, beginning its descent into the Washington Street Tunnel. For the first 622 feet, the car will go down a 9% grade, easing into 211 feet of 5.3% grade, to bring the bottom of the tunnel more than 60 feet below street grade. To the right of the view, Chicago Motor Coach double-decker bus #665 is also heading east into the loop.
KPp0024 - Chicago Surface Lines #707 - Blue Island Carhouse - c1934
The photographer has caught "Stovebolt" (nick-name for the Pressed Steel cars) #707 on the lead tracks at Blue Island ca. 1934. The car wears the National Recovery Administration (NRA) blue eagle sticker in a standee window. These began appearing on CSL cars late in 1933 when CSL signed an agreement with the NRA to conform with the Administration's Transit Code.
KPp0025 - Chicago Surface Lines #711 - Blue Island Carhouse - 10/04/1940
This is one of the few carbarn 'collection' negatives where a date was included - October 4, 1940. Blue Island Barn could be entered from the 24th Street side of the barn to the north of the carhouse, or off Leavitt to the east, which led to tracks going into the south side of the carhouse. Blue Island could accommodate 152 cars, of which 145 were kept inside.
KPp0026 - Chicago Surface Lines #725 - Roosevelt & Wabash - c1938
Bob Mehlenbeck caught the #725 working the 14th-16th line at its east terminal, Roosevelt & Wabash, circa 1938. The motorman has already changed the destination sign for the westbound trip to 16th-Kenton. The car still has the end and side truck guards, which were removed right before World War II.
KPp0027 - Chicago Surface Lines #734 - 26th & Washtenaw - c1940
Getting slaughtered - CSL #734 has caught the shift change at the International Harvester (IH) Plant on 26th at Washtenaw circa 1940. This substantial (155 acre) industrial concern was established as the McCormick Reaper Works following the October 1871 fire. IH was formed in the 1902 merger of McCormick, Deering, Plano and two other concerns. IH vacated this location in 1962.
KPp0028 - Chicago Surface Lines #751 - Pullman Plant - 07/02/1910
First of 350 "Small Pullmans," CRys #751 was photographed at Pullman on July 2, 1910. This car was received and placed in service on August 8, 1910. To the left of the car, part of the opaquing paper (applied by the photographer to block out the background) has come off.
KPp0029 - Chicago Surface Lines #799 - Northbound on Clybourn at North - 05/1940
Construction of the State Street Subway impacted the surface system at several locations throughout the early 1940s. In this instance, the photographer has caught the #799 working a northbound Clybourn Avenue trip, next to construction work at North Avenue in May 1940. A group of "sidewalk superintendents" are captivated by the cut-and-cover construction to the left of the car.
KPp0030 - Chicago Surface Lines #804 - Location Unknown - 05/10/1940
"Small Pullman" #804 was damaged in a fire on January 6, 1926. The car was rebuilt with an arch roof at West Shops during 1926. An unknown photographer caught the car working the Lincoln-Indiana route on May 10, 1940. A total of 73 cars were required on Lincoln-Indiana at this time - 39 from the Cottage Grove barn, plus 34 cars from Lincoln-Wrightwood.
KPp0031 - Chicago Surface Lines #842 - 95th & Western - c06/1935
Inauguration of the 95th Street bus route (from State to Western) took place on May 19, 1935. Not long after this, the CSL photographer took this image of "Small Pullman" #842 meeting ACF H13S bus #809 at 95th & Western. As this is written (09/01/2026), the average price of a gallon of gas in the US is $4.09. The billboard in the foreground promised you 6 gallons of gas, a quart of oil and change from your dollar on top of that!
(NOTE: Using the Consumer Price Index, you would need $23.89 in today's dollars to have the same purchsing power as 98 cents in 1935, so the six gallons of gas today would cost $24.54, only 65 cents more than the 1935 equivilant - the quart of oil would still need to be free though).
KPp0032 - Chicago Surface Lines #858 - Wrightwood Carhouse - 1931
The clerk photographed the car sitting on the barn lead track along Wrightwood Avenue. A license plate on the auto in the background dates this scene to 1931. This car was received and placed in service on September 28, 1910. It was scrapped on May 20, 1948.
KPp0033 - Chicago Surface Lines #894 - Lincoln near Wellington - 09/20/1930
Bob Mehelbeck's family had relatives living on Lincoln south of Wellington, which provided this opportunity to capture CSL #894 on the morning of September 20, 1930. Approval (by voters) of the May 19, 1930 Traction Ordinance resulted in two extensions of service further north on Lincoln Avenue in the early 1930s. During 1930 the extension from Berwyn to Mozart opened, while the following year, the line was extended further north to Peterson Avenue.
KPp0034 - Chicago Surface Lines #922 - West Shops - Undated
The Board of Supervising Engineers report for the year ended January 31, 1914 noted that "negotiations for the unified operation of all the surface car lines in Chicago were well underway in the fall of 1912." The unification ordinance was passed by the City Council on November 13, 1913, with the operation as a single operating company to begin February 1, 1914. CSL #922, photographed at West Shops, models the CSL lettering used with the dark green color scheme.
KPp0035 - Chicago Surface Lines #951 - Lincoln, Southport & Wellington - c09/1930
In another of his September 1930 images, Bob Mehlenbeck has moved down to the intersection of Lincoln, Southport and Wellington to photograph CSL #951. Behind the car is the St. Alphonsus Church. This congregation was founded in 1882; construction of the handsome stone structure occurred between 1889 and 1897.
KPp0036 - Chicago Surface Lines #985 - North & Humboldt Blvd - c1930
As part of his 1930 CSL coverage, Bob Mehlenbeck took this image looking southwest across the intersection of North Avenue and Humboldt Boulevard. The #985 is heading west against the backdrop of Humboldt Park. This 207-acre park was opened in 1877.
KPp0037 - Chicago Surface Lines #992 - Lincoln, Belmont & Ashland - 1935
Based on license plate color, the company photographer took this image looking southeast through the intersection of Lincoln, Ashland and Belmont during 1935. CSL #992 heads south on Lincoln, while the #3117 waits to continue north on Ashland. Prior to the opening of the North Ashland Bridge on August 20, 1936, North Ashland operated over the two miles from Fullerton to Irving as a shuttle route, requiring four one-man cars.
KPp0038 - Chicago Surface Lines #1079 - Lincoln-Wrightwood Carhouse - c1934
The clerk has recorded dash, step, door and sideswipe damage to car #1079 inside the Lincoln-Wrightwood barn circa 1934 (this car has the NRA eagle decal on its standee window). The card in the platform standee window advertises the Live Stock Show, which refers to the International Live Stock Exposition, held at the International Amphitheater. Traditionally held after Thanksgiving, Chicago hosted this exposition between 1900 and 1975.
KPp0039 - Chicago Surface Lines #1142 - Devon Carhouse - 1932
George Krambles caught the #1142 sitting alongside Devon Carhouse during 1932. The car has been equipped with a root scraper for ice removal (the device projecting from the lower right front-end of the car). As automobile usage increased in Chicago, CSL found that it had to deal more often with ice build-up on the roads. Later, this car would also receive an air-operated wing plow and be assigned work car #AA27.
KPp0040 - Chicago Surface Lines #1255 - Southbound on Dorchester near 63rd - 1932
You can almost feel the chill in the air looking at Frank Butts' 1932 photo of CSL #1255 facing southbound on Dorchester near 63rd! This car went into salt car service from 1931. In 1948, CTA would assign it work car #AA48.
KPp0041 - Chicago Surface Lines #1260 - Montrose at Knox - 03/28/1929
From 1897 until November 16, 1930 the west end of the Montrose car line was at Knox Avenue (east of Cicero). On March 28, 1929, Bob Mehlenbeck has caught #1260 taking its layover at the Knox terminal. Today, this spot is approximately at the west end of the Montrose bridge over the Kennedy Expressway.
KPp0042 - Chicago Surface Lines #1308 - Pulaski south of Irving Park - Undated
The company photographer has caught plow car #1311 passing service car #325 on Pulaski just south of Irving Park. Having cleared that park car, the operator has extended the wing plow out from the car to clear the roadway. The root scraper is also down (in the scraping position) on the front of the car. This was Plow Route 9 out of North Avenue barn. The 10-mile route covered Pulaski between North Avenue and Bryn Mawr.
KPp0043 - Chicago Surface Lines #1311 - West Shops - Undated
The company photographer posed #1311 at West Shops with the air-operated wing plow and the root scraper deployed. The root scraper is named for Fred Root, who developed the device in the early 1900s. The fixed angle of the root scraper was designed to optimize its ice/sleet-scraping performance.
KPp0044 - Chicago Surface Lines #1317 - Archer & Pitney Court Terminal - Undated
CSL #1317 and crew were caught during layover at the Pitney Court-Archer (west) terminal of the 31st Street line. Part of the 1906 build of small St. Louis cars, the #1317 was received and put in service on April 27, 1907. CSL scrapped this car on December 7, 1946.
KPp0045 - Chicago Surface Lines #1409 - 77th & Vincennesm Carhouse - c1936
The clerk caught the #1409 on arrival at 77th-Vincennes circa 1936. Only 3 one-man cars were required for service on 71st Street. Entering service on August 15, 1907, this car was scrapped on July 17, 1947.
KPp0046 - Chicago Surface Lines #1412 - West Shops - 1923
West Shops forces did the trial conversion for a one-man/two-man capable "Small St. Louis Car" during 1923. This was the most-extensive conversion of the group. George Kanary notes that subsequent cars did not receive the folding doors.
KPp0047 - Chicago Surface Lines #1412 - West Shops - 1923
Concentrating on the platform area of the #1412, the 1923 rebuild removed the bulkhead (this car only). George Kanary observed that the register relocation, necessary if the car were to be a one-man/two-man capable car, was another item deleted on subsequent rebuild of the "Small St. Louis Cars."
KPp0048 - Chicago Surface Lines #1415 - North Ave Carhouse - c1936
The interior of one of the later "Small St. Louis Car" conversions to one-man service was photographed by the clerk at North Avenue in late 1936. As noted in the previous caption, this car has retained its bulkhead. Note the "Laramie" reading in the side sign to the right - a single one-man car filled the schedules on this route until December 20, 1937, when it was converted to bus.