Engineering:CTA Holiday Train

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Short description: Holiday-themed train operated on the Chicago "L"
Holiday Train alongside a Brown Line train at the Kimball station in 2012

The CTA Holiday Train[lower-alpha 1] is a special service of the Chicago "L" rail system, running annually during the Christmas and holiday season in Chicago, Illinois.[1] The train features extensive Christmas decorations, and is a popular holiday tradition in Chicago.[2]

Overview

The Holiday Train runs in regular service across the 'L' system between late November and Christmas, visiting all 146 stations as it progresses through the system's eight lines.[3][4] Each day the train is in service, it runs on either a single line or a combination of two lines, stopping at all stations.[4][5] It operates as run #1225, in reference to the date of Christmas Day.[6][7] CTA employees, dressed as Christmas elves, greet passengers onboard.[3][8]

As of 2025, the Holiday Train runs five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday, from Black Friday until a few days before Christmas (occasionally also running on a Monday).[9][10] It runs for three to four hours in the afternoon on weekdays, and for longer spans on Saturday afternoons.[4] For the final day of each year's service, the Holiday Train is divided into three two-car trains, which run individually on the Yellow Line.[3][4][11]

Rolling stock

The open-air flatcar

The Holiday Train service is run with a designated seven-car train, consisting of six modified 2600-series passenger cars (units 2893-2898)[12] interspersed with a single open-air flatcar.[13][14] The passenger cars are extensively decorated with Christmas lights and stylized vinyl wraps on the interior and exterior,[3][15] and red-and-green seats, bows, garlands, and other artwork on the interior.[16] The flatcar contains a holiday-themed display featuring a CTA employee dressed as Santa Claus,[16] greeting riders from atop a sleigh pulled by reindeer.[10][15] Its headsigns read "Santa's Express,"[17] and large signs adorn the exterior, displaying holiday messages such as "peace on earth", “happy holidays”, and "seasons greetings from CTA Rail Lines." Christmas music is played from onboard speakers.[16][18]

The train is decorated each fall at the Skokie Shops, and is stored there when not in use.[3][15][16] Decorations are stored and reused from year to year.[3] As of 2024, the train's decorations included more than 100,000 Christmas lights.[8]

Elves' Workshop Train

From 2016 to 2019, the Holiday Train was accompanied by a second holiday-themed train, known as the Elves' Workshop Train.[19] The Elves' Workshop Train ran exclusively on Saturdays, directly behind the main Holiday Train, to accommodate crowds.[20][21] Like the Holiday Train, the Elves' Workshop Train also consisted of six decorated 2600-series railcars (units 2883-2900).[12]

Holiday Bus

In addition to the Holiday Train, the CTA also operates a holiday-themed bus.[22] The CTA Holiday Bus[lower-alpha 2] is a decorated New Flyer D60LFR articulated bus (unit 4374)[23][24] decorated with lights and a vinyl wrap in a manner similar to the Holiday Train, and similarly running in regularly scheduled service on CTA bus routes. The Holiday Bus debuts each year during the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade,[25][26] and services 15 to 20 bus routes each year.[27][5]

Charity support

The Holiday Train program has historically been used to provide food to local charities;[8] in 2025, the CTA donated 400 food baskets.[10]

History

Santa Claus riding the Holiday Train in 2001
Interior in 2013

The Holiday Train began in 1992 as a decorated out-of-service train run on the Blue Line, used by CTA staff to deliver donations of food to local charities.[2][28] It became a passenger service in 1996.[3][28]

In 2003, the Holiday Train derailed near Sedgwick station while running on the Brown Line. Passengers were evacuated, though no one was injured.[29]

The Holiday Train was nearly discontinued in December 2004 amid systemwide budget cuts, with then-CTA president Frank Kruesi stating that it was difficult to justify funding the program amid the threat of mass employee layoffs the following January.[28][30][31] Kruesi was criticized for the decision, with local media comparing him unfavorably to the Grinch.[28][30] The service was reinstated at the request of Carole Brown, then-chair of CTA's board of directors.[28][32][33]

In 2014, the CTA introduced the Holiday Bus to complement the Holiday Train.[22][34]

In 2016, the CTA introduced the Elves’ Workshop Train [35]

Since the 2010s, the Holiday Train program has been funded primarily by corporate sponsors.[3][13][16] The train and bus were sponsored by Sprint in 2015,[3][36] and by Jewel-Osco in 2017.[3][37] Allstate has been the title sponsor of the services since 2018.[3]

The CTA Holiday Train in 2011

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Holiday Train and Bus ran without passengers in 2020.[38][39]

Reception

In 2009, a song titled "CTA X-mas Train", describing the Holiday Train, won a contest in the Chicago Tribune seeking a new "classic" Chicago holiday song.[40]

References

  1. ↑ "Next Stop, North Pole. Doors Open on the Left...". November 25, 2008. http://www.lifeinchicago.net/2008/11/next-stop-north-pole-doors-open-on-left.html. Retrieved December 3, 2011. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Freund, Sara (2019-11-22). "Ride the CTA holiday train decked out in lights and festive decor" (in en). https://chicago.curbed.com/2019/11/22/20977899/cta-holiday-train-bus-chicago. 
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 "Snowflakes, candy canes and 36,000 LED lights: The making of the CTA holiday fleet" (in en-US). 2023-12-16. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2023/12/16/snowflakes-candy-canes-and-36000-led-lights-the-making-of-the-cta-holiday-fleet/. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Allstate CTA Holiday Train & Bus" (in en). https://www.transitchicago.com/holidayfleet/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Alpasan, Eunice (2025-11-17). "CTA Announces Holiday Train and Bus Schedules for 2025; Metra Holiday Train Tickets Sold Out". https://news.wttw.com/2025/11/17/cta-announces-holiday-train-and-bus-schedules-2025-metra-holiday-train-tickets-go-sale. 
  6. ↑ (2025) CTA Holiday Train Run 1225 arriving @ Jackson Station #shorts #cta. MJCHICAGOLAND 2314. Retrieved 2025-12-19 – via www.youtube.com.
  7. ↑ Irvine, Kevin (2021-12-02). "Albany Park News". https://www.facebook.com/groups/albanyparknews/posts/2975262622737344/. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Cervantes, Hector (2024-12-09). "10 facts about the CTA holiday train" (in en-US). https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2024/12/09/cta-holiday-train-facts/. 
  9. ↑ WGN News (2025-11-28). Annual CTA Holiday Train kicks off in Chicago, spreading joy and cheer. Retrieved 2025-12-19 – via YouTube.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Cox, Jake (2025-11-17). "The CTA Holiday Train And Bus Return Next Week" (in en-US). https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/17/the-cta-holiday-train-and-bus-return-next-week/. 
  11. ↑ "Chicago L.org: Picture Gallery - Holiday Train Gallery 4". https://www.chicago-l.org/trains/gallery/holiday04.html. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Garfield, Graham (2018-11-01). "Rolling Stock - CTA Car Assignments". https://www.chicago-l.org/trains/assignline.html. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Meyerson, Ben (December 1, 2009). "CTA holiday train coming to a platform near you". Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110525203023/http://www.chicagocurrent.com/articles/30824-CTA-holiday-train-coming-to-a-platform-near-you. 
  14. ↑ Kim, John J. (2025-12-04). CTA Holiday Train in Chicago. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2025-12-19 – via YouTube.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Esposito, Stefano (2023-11-23). "Making the holiday trains: How CTA decks the L’s at Santa’s Skokie workshop" (in en-US). https://www.wbez.org/culture-the-arts/2023/11/23/making-the-holiday-trains-how-cta-decks-the-ls-at-santas-skokie-workshop. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 Garcia, Kelly (2021-12-23). "Searching for the CTA holiday train" (in en-US). https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/searching-for-the-cta-holiday-train/. 
  17. ↑ Niimi, J (2024-12-24). "All aboard the CTA Holiday Train" (in en). https://chi.streetsblog.org/2024/12/24/all-aboard-the-cta-holiday-train. 
  18. ↑ Cervantes, Hector (2025-12-02). "CTA brings holiday spirit to Chicago streets" (in en-US). https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2025/12/02/cta-brings-holiday-spirit-chicago-streets/. 
  19. ↑ Vivianco, Leonor (2016-11-18). "CTA expands holiday-themed service with new Elves’ Workshop Train" (in en-US). https://www.chicagotribune.com/2016/11/18/cta-expands-holiday-themed-service-with-new-elves-workshop-train/. 
  20. ↑ Hautzinger, Daniel (2019-12-04). "The CTA Holiday Fleet is Here" (in en). https://www.wttw.com/playlist/2019/12/04/cta-holiday-fleet-here. 
  21. ↑ Hernandez, Alex V. (2018-11-26). "CTA's Holiday Train, Bus Rides Begin Tuesday. Here's How To Snag A Decked-Out Seat" (in en-US). https://blockclubchicago.org/2018/11/26/hitch-a-ride-with-santa-using-this-cta-holiday-train-and-bus-guide/. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Inaugural CTA Holiday Bus draws an ‘A’ — and awes — from riders" (in en). 2014-12-02. https://chicago.suntimes.com/2014/12/2/18440298/inaugural-cta-holiday-bus-draws-an-a-and-awes-from-riders. 
  23. ↑ Ramkissoon, Shane (2021-12-15), Chicago Transit Authority 2012-2013 New Flyer D60LFR 4374, https://www.flickr.com/photos/shaneakacaitsith/51880381793/, retrieved 2025-12-19 
  24. ↑ "4300-series New Flyer DE60LFR/D60LFR" (in en). https://www.chicagobus.org/buses/4300-de60lfr. 
  25. ↑ "CTA unwraps the Allstate CTA Holiday Train and Allstate CTA Holiday Bus in celebration of “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!”" (in en). 2018-11-16. https://www.transitchicago.com/cta-unwraps-the-allstate-cta-holiday-train-and-allstate-cta-holiday-bus-in-celebration-of-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year/. 
  26. ↑ "CTA Holiday Bus Hits The Road, Decorative Train Rolls Out Friday - CBS Chicago" (in en-US). 2019-11-26. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/cta-holiday-train-rolls-out-friday/. 
  27. ↑ "CTA's 2022 Holiday Train, Bus Are Coming to a Neighborhood Near You. Here's When and Where to Find Them" (in en-US). 2022-11-18. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/ctas-2022-holiday-train-bus-are-coming-to-a-chicago-neighborhood-near-you-heres-when-and-how-to-find-them/3000542/. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 An, Susie (2023-12-07). "Who’s behind the CTA holiday train? Santa and the elves, of course." (in en-US). https://www.wbez.org/curious-city/2023/12/07/the-history-of-the-chicago-cta-holiday-train. 
  29. ↑ "CTA Holiday Train derails; none hurt" (in en-US). 2003-12-21. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/12/21/cta-holiday-train-derails-none-hurt/. 
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Konkol, Mark J. (2004-12-03). "CTA boss derails Grinch, puts Holiday Train back on track". Chicago Sun-Times. https://www.wbez.org/curious-city/2023/12/07/the-history-of-the-chicago-cta-holiday-train. 
  31. ↑ "CTA derails Santa Train". CTA Tattler. December 2, 2004. 
  32. ↑ "Holiday Train will run this year, CTA says" (in en-US). 2004-12-03. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/12/03/holiday-train-will-run-this-year-cta-says/. 
  33. ↑ "Citing finances, CTA cans ‘Holiday Train’" (in en-US). 2004-12-01. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/12/01/citing-finances-cta-cans-holiday-train/. 
  34. ↑ "CTA Debuts its Holiday Bus in the 2014 Magnificent Mile Lights Festival" (in en). 2014-11-21. https://www.transitchicago.com/cta-debuts-its-holiday-bus-in-the-2014-magnificent-mile-lights-festival/. 
  35. ↑ "CTA unwraps the Holiday Train and Allstate CTA Holiday Bus in celebration of “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!”". https://www.transitchicago.com/cta-unwraps-the-allstate-cta-holiday-train-and-allstate-cta-holiday-bus-in-celebration-of-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year/. 
  36. ↑ "Sprint Sponsors 2015 CTA Holiday Train, Holiday Bus" (in en). 2015-11-23. https://www.masstransitmag.com/home/press-release/12142046/chicago-transit-authority-cta-sprint-sponsors-2015-cta-holiday-train-holiday-bus. 
  37. ↑ Marcarelli, Rebekah (2017-12-31). "Jewel-Osco’s CTA Holiday Train Celebrates 25th Year". https://www.supermarketnews.com/foodservice-retail/jewel-osco-s-cta-holiday-train-celebrates-25th-year. 
  38. ↑ "CTA Holiday Train to return in 2020 with social distancing measures in place" (in en-US). WGN-TV. https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/cta-holiday-train-to-return-in-2020-with-social-distancing-measures-in-place/. 
  39. ↑ Bauer, Kelly (2020-11-20). "The Holiday Train Is Coming This Year — But You Can't Ride It" (in en-US). https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/11/20/the-holiday-train-is-coming-this-year-but-you-cant-ride-it/. 
  40. ↑ "Best holiday song heralds CTA Holiday Train; Thanksgiving caption contest". CTA Tattler. December 14, 2009. 

Notes

  1. ↑ Officially known as the Allstate CTA Holiday Train, under a corporate sponsorship agreement.
  2. ↑ Officially known as the Allstate CTA Holiday Bus, under a corporate sponsorship agreement.

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