CTA Surface System History presented by the Illinois Railway Museum
The numbering system was devised by the late Don Liberko, who worked extensively on cataloging the different styles. It has been enhanced to include newer versions and versions not included in his cataloging.
The total number of transfers in our collection might be broken into two numbers. The first is how many we physically have in our collection. The second number (after the +) represents the total number of images we have received from others.
We are continuously working with transfer experts to verify/correct/populate transfer style dates. Currently they are our best estimates. Once solid dates are established (and new styles discovered), the style numbers may change to reflect the correct chronology. As part of that effort, Andre Kristopans has provided several of these dates as well as lists of plate numbers that were used on transfers. Here is a link (updated 08/04/2015) to the list that cooresponds to the transfers on this page:
CLICK HERE for the 1933-1953 list
Transfers by Type
Part 2 - Clock Face - Chicago Surface Lines (1932-1947)
Style 1 - 10/01/1932-12/31/1932
First clock/map transfer. Replaced previous transfers which included all routes on two forms. Major changes include having passenger keep same transfer entire trip instead of getting new one each time they change routes, a clock instead of hour and minute boxes making time much easier to figure, zones making easier to calculate how long a trip has taken and eliminating ability to make stopovers. This basic concept lasted from 1932 until 1986. CLICK HERE for hi-res images of all (8 + 62) Style 1 transfers in the Museum's collection
Style 2 - 01/01/1933-05/1933
Clock appearance changed, adding bolder minutes and hours. CLICK HERE for hi-res images of all (3 + 64) Style 2 transfers in the Museum's collection
Style 3 - 05/1933-02/1934
Route lines added to map so transfer issuing conductors would have easier time punching correct zone. CLICK HERE for hi-res images of all (58 + 13) Style 3 transfers in the Museum's collection
Style 4 - 02/1934-06/1934
AM, PM, Next Day (midnight to 3am) "pie slices" moved from center of clock to perimeter. Blue date and serial numbers.
This style of transfer had a variation. The regular version is 6.5" long while the variation is only 6" long. Most routes were the 6.5" variety. Apparently testing new second press intended for printing upcoming combination transfers. Thanks to Andre Kristopans and Bruce Moffat for researching this.CLICK HERE for hi-res images of all (29 + 37) Style 4 transfers in the Museum's collection
Style 5a - 07/1934-12/07/1937
Large dot in center of clock added, also Lake Calumet added to map. After 1933 -1934 World's Fair ended, regular transfers were printed late 1934-early 1935 using special yellow paper used for Century of Progress transfers until stock ran out.CLICK HERE for hi-res images of all (70 + 20) Style 5a transfers in the Museum's collection (+1)
Style 5b - 12/07/1937-05/10/1938
Same as 5a except for black date and serial numbers. CLICK HERE for hi-res images of all (31 + 8) Style 5b transfers in the Museum's collection
Style 6 - 05/10/1938-01/1939
Clock revised with bold perimeter, small dot in center. AM, PM pie slices removed, ND moved from upper left to lower left of clock, AM now indicated by two punched holes in center of clock, PM by one hole. CLICK HERE for hi-res images of all (37 + 7) Style 6 transfers in the Museum's collection
Style 7a - 01/1939-02/1939
Minutes (5s) added to the perimeter of the clock. Black date and serial numbers. CLICK HERE for hi-res images of all (0 + 4) Style 7a transfers in the Museum's collection
Style 7b - 02/1939-02/1943
Same as 7a, red date and serial numbers. This style had different backs which featured two different signatures at the bottom. CLICK HERE for hi-res images of all (77 + 23) Style 7b transfers in the Museum's collection
Style 8a - 02/1943
E (emergency), Depot Car, Half Fare boxes eliminated, replaced by small E and D boxes east of Loop in lake on map. 1/2 in a circle above upper left of clock. This style had 4 different backs. 2 vertical, 2 horizontal. Also there were 4 different signatures at the bottom of these backs. CLICK HERE for hi-res images of all (50 + 8) Style 8a transfers in the Museum's collection
Style 8b - 05/24/1946
Same as 8a with blue date and serial numbers. CLICK HERE for hi-res images of all (67 + 2) Style 8e transfers in the Museum's collection
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