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.
KPp0049 - Chicago Surface Lines #1502 - Westbound on Belmont at Lavergne - 03/21/1930
During a visit to Chicago, Peoria native Bill Janssen caught CSL #1502 heading west on Belmont at Lavergne on Friday, March 21, 1930. The barn at Division & Western provided the cars for Belmont at this time - PM service required a maximum of 36 cars.
KPp0050 - Chicago Surface Lines #1513 - Eastbound on Irving Park at Narragansett - c1932
The company photographer focused on CSL #1513 getting ready to head east on Irving Park, while trolleybus #102 (a Brill-American product) was completing its northbound trip on the Narragansett route. The stone entry gate to the Chicago State Hospital (Dunning) stands to the right of the view.
KPp0051 - Chicago Surface Lines #1590 - Elston & Addison Yard - Undated
A great shot in an exotic location from the carbarn "collection" shows #1590 in the open yard at Elston-Addison (outdoor storage capacity - 46 cars). From left the view includes snippets of a "Bowling Alley," one of the 1914 Brill cars and a former mail car, now employed in work service surrounding the #1590.
KPp0052 - Chicago Surface Lines #1602 - Lake Street at Austin - 01/30/1936
Al Johnson, best known for his C&NW steam power photographic coverage, captured this great image of CSL #1602 at the Austin Avenue terminal of the Lake Street carline on January 30, 1936. The Chicago area suffered through bitter cold and strong winds (leading to repeated drifting) throughout the latter part of January that year. Between January 22 and 31, the high temperature never made it out of the teens.
KPp0053 - Chicago Surface Lines #1633 - North Avenue Carhouse - c1932
One of the clerks photographed "Turtleback" #1633 on the west ladder track at North Avenue. The backdrop is the then-relatively-new trolleybus storage yard to the west of Lamon Avenue. AM peak requirements from this barn called for 321 streetcars and 93 buses to be put out.
KPp0054 - Chicago Surface Lines #1641 - Eastbound on Grand at Wabash - Undated
Some CSL assignment sheets (see the 1934 data elsewhere on this site) referred to the 144 "Turtlebacks" numbered above 1577 as the "large platform 1506" cars of this group, being one foot longer than the first 72 cars. Bob Mehlenbeck shot one of the "large platform 1506" cars eastbound on Grand Avenue at Wabash. At the start of 1934, weekday AM peak requirements on this line were 83 cars.
KPp0055 - Chicago Surface Lines #1721 - West Shops - 01/13/1923
Progress on the carbody construction for the first car of the "169 Series", the #1721, was captured inside West Shops on January 13, 1923 (to the right of the view). Responsibility for construction of these cars was divided between West Shops (69 cars), Brill (70 cars) and Cummings (30 cars).
KPp0056 - Chicago Surface Lines #1721 - West Shops - 04/23/1923
The company photographer focused on the finished product on April 23, 1923. Location for this photo is on the track that ran to the east (and outside) of the West Shops buildings (from Lake to Madison) at Maypole Avenue. Deterioration of the nitrate-based film negative is evident in the "hazing" at the bottom of the print.
KPp0057 - Chicago Surface Lines #1721 - Interior - 04/23/1923
The Board of Supervising Engineers (BOSE) of Chicago Traction report for the year ending January 31, 1923 specifically commented on the cooperation between the BOSE and the CSL in the design of the "169 Series" cars and the attention given to the ventilation system on the cars, which included four compensating air intakes along with eight exhaust ventilators.
KPp0058 - Chicago Surface Lines #1721 & #9032 - Maypole Ave/West Shops - Undated
By the time this image was taken looking east on Maypole Avenue, #1721 had been repainted into the red letterboard scheme. #9032 was one of the Brill-built trailers, which CSL had received on August 24, 1921. CSL noted that #1721 was to be used in experimental trailer-train service on Madison from May 18, 1923. Regular, scheduled operation of trailer-trains on this route began in October of that year.
KPp0059 - Chicago Surface Lines #1729 - Madison & Austin - 1934
During a 1934 visit to Chicago, Bob Mehlenbeck caught #1729 departing the Madison-Austin turnback. Around the time of this photo, Madison required 74 cars in the morning peak, rising to 88 cars for PM rush service.
KPp0060 - Chicago Surface Lines #1733 - Kedzie Carhouse - Undated
The combination of the low winter light and the spotting of the car on one of the barn leads at the Kedzie barn provides excellent illumination on the details of the rear coupler, as well as other underbody details on #1733. This car was placed in service on June 27, 1923 and went to scrap on August 27, 1954.
KPp0061 - Chicago Surface Lines #1735 - Maypole Ave/West Shops - 06/1923
Another of the company shots captures newly-finished car #1735 sitting at Maypole Avenue circa June 1923. The paint and carpenter shops were to the south (right) of where this car has been spotted. Additional carpenter shops and the mill shop/lumber storage areas were in the building behind (to the north) of the car.
KPp0062 - Chicago Surface Lines #1744 - Kedzie Carhouse - Undated
A superb exposure renders every detail of #1744 inside one of the storage bays at Kedzie. Car inspection, repair and storage at Kedzie-Van Buren was accommodated in eleven three-track bays, with a total inside capacity of 292 cars. A further 64 cars could be stored outdoors at this site.
KPp0063 - Chicago Surface Lines #1747 - Eastbound on Madison at Kedzie - 1928
Credit the CSL photographer for recording this image of two-car train action, eastbound on Madison at Kedzie during 1928. The Senate Theater (opened in 1921) makes up part of the background. This theater closed during 1969 and was finally demolished in 1977.
KPp0064 - Chicago Surface Lines #1852 - Westbound on Grand at Michigan - 09/20/1930
Bob Mehlenbeck photographed CSL #1852 heading west on Grand from Michigan on Saturday, September 20, 1930. The down-on view was afforded by the Michigan Avenue viaduct over Grand, which was built as part of the construction of the Michigan Avenue Bridge during 1918-1920.
KPp0065 - Chicago Surface Lines #1875 - Eastbound on Harrison at Laramie - 07/1933
Another of Bob Mehlenbeck's photos captures #1875 heading east across the intersection of Harrison and Laramie during July 1933. The building behind the car is still standing in September 2026. Given the close proximity to the Eisenhower Expressway (just 0.1 miles to the south), this is one of the few surviving structures at this location.
KPp0066 - Chicago Surface Lines #1912 - Eastbound on Lake near Central Park - Undated
Running with the back platform doors open, Bob Mehlenbeck focused on #1912 heading east on Lake Street near Central Park in this undated view. Stored upstairs on the "L" are cars #3008 (to left) and #4338 coupled to it. The #3008 was built by Gilbert in 1893 and remained active until being scrapped by CTA in July 1952., making it the longest-lived of the three cars identified in this view.
KPp0067 - Chicago Surface Lines #1931 - North Avenue Carhouse - 1931
This broadside view of #1931 (taken at North Avenue), shows several features of the "Flexible Flyer" design. Use of the maximum-traction truck allowed the car floor to slope down from the bolster to the end sill, making a lower first step height possible. Carside air intakes (above the 34" diameter driving wheel of each truck) were hoped to reduce dust intake.
KPp0068 - Chicago Surface Lines #2000 - Noble Carhouse - Undated
CSL sampled 10 Brill-built Birneys in 1920. Entry into service awaited ICC approval of one-man service. The Division extension began one-man operations on February 18, 1921. Devon was begun from March 13 of that year, while Laramie followed suit on April 1st. Noble (for which #2000 is signed in this view) began one-man service on November 1, 1921.
KPp0069 - Chicago Surface Lines #2006 - West Shops - 1921
CSL was thorough in its assessment of the single-truck, one-man safety car's suitability to Chicago's requirements. The company built this sample one-man car at West Shops in 1921. Ultimately, CSL felt the single-truck safety cars were inadequate for three reasons - 1) excessive time for boarding/alighting; 2) Narrow aisle caused further congestion; and, 3) the lightweight cars were more prone to excessive damage even in a minor collision.
KPp0070 - Chicago Surface Lines #2589 - 138th & Leyden in Riverdale - c05/1941
George Krambles photographed #2589 (St. Louis, 1902) at the extreme southern end of the streetcar network - 138th & Leyden in Riverdale, circa May 1941. This photo appeared in CERA Bulletin 27 on the CSL, published in July 1941. Riverdale had gone to one-man cars from April 6, 1936. The line required two cars to cover service requirements.
KPp0071 - Chicago Surface Lines #2596 - 77th & Vincennes Carhouse - c1941
The extent of the damage and the age of this car (approximately 40 years old, having entered service on January 18, 1902), led CSL to decide to scrap #2596 on January 9, 1942. The clerk photographed this image of the car on the east side of the 77th/Vincennes barn.
KPp0072 - Chicago Surface Lines #2601 - Eastbound on 111th near Michigan - 1934
During 1934, CSL Chief Photographer Fred Chouinard took a series of photos using one of the tower trucks to get some different perspectives. This series included this view of the eastbound #2601 on 111th near Michigan. The four-story Roseland YMCA forms part of the backdrop of this scene. This building was built in 1926 in a style similar to the Austin YMCA building.
KPp0073 - Chicago Surface Lines #2623 - Cottage Grove Carhouse (Langley Ave) - Undated
In the late 20s, Cottage Grove Barn was assigned eight of the 2500-series St. Louis cars for operation on the Pershing Line. The company photographer took this view of car #2623 sitting on the Langley Avenue (west) side of the barn. George Kanary provided the location ID for this photo. Tracks off Langley accessed all eleven bays (two repair + nine storage) at Cottage Grove.
KPp0074 - Chicago Surface Lines #2624 - Eastbound on 111th from Michigan - 1934
Another of the 1934 street scenes shot using a CSL tower truck captures #2624 heading east on 115th from Michigan. The terra cotta-ornamented pharmacy building still stands in 2026, though fully boarded-up. Streetcar service on 115th was begun by the Calumet Electric Street Railway during 1896.
KPp0075 - Chicago Surface Lines #2716 - 79th at Western - 06/02/1935
George Krambles caught #2716 taking its layover at the Western Avenue end of the 79th Street carline on June 2, 1935. CSL established the routing from Western Avenue to the Lakefront for the 79th Street cars from November 22, 1926. The 2716 went to scrap on July 25, 1947.
KPp0076 - Chicago City Railway #2735 - Location Unknown - c1903
Chicago City Railway posed their new St. Louis-built 2735 (received on March 25, 1903) to demonstrate the car's convertible capabilities. According to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum's carbuilder website, this car was built with the Robertson-patented side sill design consisting of back-to-back iron channels), which allowed windows to drop to the bottom of the frame.
KPp0077 - Chicago Surface Lines #2756 - 69th Street Carhouse (fronting Marshfield) - Undated
There's a nice balance in the exposure of this shady-end shot of CSL #2756 sitting in the open yard to the south of the 69th Street barn. The car is sitting on the west track fronting on Marshfield Avenue. In the late 20s, the Wallace-Racine route was assigned 55 of the 2701-series cars.
KPp0078 - Chicago Surface Lines #2772 - Burnside Carhouse - Undated
The open yard at Burnside included 13 tracks, on which 78 cars could be stored. Eleven of these tracks connected to the trackage in Drexel Avenue to the east. One of these eleven was double-ended, also connecting to the lead track on the west end of the open yard that ran along the IC tracks. Two of the open yard tracks connected only to the west lead track.
KPp0079 - Chicago Surface Lines #2810 - Unknown Location - Undated
The #2810 began life as CCRy 2528, being received from St. Louis Car on January 18, 1902. It was one of 15 "Robertson"-type cars sold to the Calumet & South Chicago (for $4,000 each) in November 1908, where it became car #710. With the consolidation of the Calumet company into CSL in 1913, it was assigned #2810. This car was scrapped on April 3, 1946.
KPp0080 - Chicago Surface Lines #2814 - Southbound on Ewing at 106th - 1932
The conductor is already on the rear step ready to make this passenger stop southbound on Ewing at 106th in 1932. The Ewing Avenue Horse Railway was incorporated on May 31, 1883. This company was folded into the South Chicago City Railway on August 1, 1885. Electric car operation on Ewing Avenue commenced on March 4, 1893.
KPp0081 - Chicago Surface Lines #2827 - Looking West on 115th from Cottage Grove - 05/11/1931
One of Illinois Central's company photographers recorded this view looking west along 115th from Cottage Grove on May 11, 1931. CSL #2827 is ready to head west on the 115th Street line. This car was a 1905 product of Kuhlman, built as car #123 of the Calumet Electric Street Railway. With the consolidation of the Calumet area companies into the Calumet & South Chicago in 1908, it was renumbered to #823.
KPp0082 - Chicago Surface Lines #2843 - Unknown Location - 1940
Those fascinating 2800s - CSL cars #2841-2845 were built by Jewett in 1903 for the South Chicago City Railway. CSL #2843 was built as the Calumet company's car #823. The darkroom technician "dodged" (held back) the exposure on the car's underbody for this print, providing a better view of the car's Taylor HSB2 trucks.
KPp0083 - Chicago Surface Lines #2846 - Forsythe & Exchange - 05/18/1923
The company photographer caught #2846 at the far southeast end of its run (Forsythe & Exchange) in East Chicago on May 18, 1923. Homebuilt by the South Chicago City Railway (as car #831) in 1907, this car would be renumbered to #2846 as part of the 1913 consolidation. It became work car #AA98 in 1948 and was preserved by the ERHS in December 1958.
KPp0084 - Chicago Surface Lines #2854 - 92nd at Buffalo - 07/1929
"South Chicago Cars" - the January 1, 1928 CSL assignment sheet on the irm-cta.org website identified the 57 cars in the 2800-series (of various builds) as assigned to "South Chicago" service. Bill Janssen shot #2854 about a half-mile east of the commercial heart of South Chicago, on 92nd at Buffalo during July 1929.
KPp0085 - Chicago Surface Lines #2857 - Cottage Grove Carhouse - 1941
With the end of the CSL funeral car service (begun 1910) in 1917, the former C&SC #1 was rebuilt into CSL #2857. The rare car is shown on the Langley Avenue side of the Cottage Grove carbarn in 1941. Behind the car are some of the buildings of the Ida B. Wells Homes, which were built by the Public Works Administration between 1939 and 1941. CSL #2857 went to scrap on July 31, 1946.
KPp0086 - Chicago Surface Lines #2859 - 77th Street Carhouse - Undated
The only modern car allocated to the Calumet & South Chicago was CSL #2859, which entered service on January 30, 1925. A carbody similar to the 1924 build of cars was used for #2859. However, it rode on Brill 51E2 trucks (also used on the 1922 Brills for CSL) and had four GE 80 motors.
KPp0087 - Chicago Surface Lines #2913 - Cottage Grove Carhouse - Undated
The clerk photographed #2913 sitting on the Cottage Grove side of the barn. There was no room for the typical flower garden at this site, so the resourceful barn personnel built flower boxes for the 2nd story office windows. During the mid-1930s, six of the 2904-series one-man safety cars were assigned out of Cottage for service on the Pershing Road line.
KPp0088 - Chicago Surface Lines #2922 - 87th Street - 1930
The west route on 87th Street (State to Vincennes) was opened on October 15, 1930. Prior to the official opening of the new line, trainmen posed with #2922 on the private right-of-way. Assignment sheets on the irm-cta.org site show that the line used the 2904-series cars through approximately 1932 and then shifted to use of 1101-series one-man cars.
KPp0089 - Chicago Surface Lines #3061 - Elston at Lawrence - c1940
The Elston line was extended to this terminal at Lawrence Avenue from November 28, 1914. About four months later, CSL received #3061 from Brill, though the car did not enter revenue service until May 29, 1915. Bob Mehlenbeck photographed the car taking its layover circa 1940.
KPp0090 - Chicago Surface Lines #3092 - West Shops - 12/1921
Determined to find a better solution to the one-man car requirements than their Brill-built Birneys had provided, CSL built this sample one-man, double truck safety car at West Shops during 1921. The bigger car seated more and also provided standing space, something the Birneys did not offer. A 28-inch wide aisle provided improved circulation, as well.