CTA Holiday Train, bus ready to hit the streets of Chicago

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) - The CTA is helping to ring in the season by adding an “Elves’ Workshop Train” as part of the 25th year of their famously festive holiday L and bus routes.

The six-car Elves’ train will be decked with thousands of lights and bows like the original Holiday Train, which it will follow along the Red Line on Saturday evening as it makes its debut, according to the CTA.

The Holiday Train begins regular service on its own Nov. 25, with the Elves’ Workshop Train trailing it on Saturdays.

Rounding out the festooned fleet is the Holiday Bus, which starts running Nov. 29 and will make appearances on 13 routes across the city. The trains will visit all eight rail lines by Dec. 23.

Santa Claus will take his usual spot on an open flat car at the helm of the Holiday Train, while his elves man the other vessels with a steady supply of candy canes for passengers, the CTA said.

“We’re pleased to expand on that strong Chicago tradition by offering the new Elves’ Workshop Train, which will allow even more customers to experience this unique holiday happening,” CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. said.

Customers can track the whereabouts of Santa and the Holiday Train and Bus by using CTA Train Tracker, which will feature a digital candy cane next to the estimated arrival time information, and the dedicated Holiday Bus Tracker available at transitchicago.com/holidaybustracker.

The Holiday Train, Elves’ Workshop Train and Holiday Bus will make all stops along their scheduled routes. Normal CTA fares apply. Full schedules and more information is available on the CTA website: transitchicago.com/holiday.