Chicago ''L''.org: Multimedia

Sound Archive

From train horns and beeps to station announcements to cab signals to the squeal of the train wheels, this archive has sound files that will be instantly recognizable to any seasoned "L" rider. The sounds are divided into sections based on types and sources of the sounds. Just click on a sound to play it; all files are in ".wav" format.

Conductor Announcements | Pre-Recorded Announcements
Train/Operations Sounds | Miscellaneous

Conductor Announcements

Manual Announcement Era

king_drive.wav (25K): An conductor announcing the King Drive stop.

safety.wav (129K): The standard "L" safety announcement. Like always, it's a little garbled.

xprs_annc.wav (422K): The bane of all "L" riders' existence, an announcement that a train is off-schedule and is becoming an express, but assured that a Jackson Park B train is right behind. Again, as always, it's a little garbled.

47th.wav (9K): Station announcement for 47th Street (Englewood-Jackson Park).

adams-wabash.wav (15K): Station announcement for Adams/Wabash.

addison.wav (58K): Conductor announcement: "Northbound Howard 'B', Addison is the next stop..."

all_aboard.wav (25K): "All aboard, please step up, all aboard!"

announce2.wav (77K): A Green Line operator gives the standard safety announcement at the beginning of the run at Cottage Grove, then announces the next stop, King Drive.

announce3.wav (49K): Green Line operator gives the standard greeting again, but really trails off at the end...

announce5.wav (54K): Roosevelt is next, followed by the safety message...

ashland.wav (35K): Station announcement for Ashland (Midway).

clark-divison.wav (46K): "This is Clark & Division, northbound Howard 'B'."

clark-lake.wav (14K): Station announcement for Clark/Lake.

clinton.wav (20K): "Clinton is next, Green Line."

final_stop.wav (44K): "Cicero-Berwyn, this is our final stop, all passengers must leave the train."

garfield.wav (22K): Station announcement for Garfield (Englewood-Jackson Park).

harlem.wav (18K): Conductor announcement for the next stop, Harlem (O'Hare).

indiana.wav (16K): Station announcement for Indiana.

madison-wabash.wav (22K): "Madison & Wabash is next."

montrose.wav (23K): A Ravenswood conductor announces, "Montrose, Montrose next!"

polk.wav (49K): A conductor announcing "Smoking, littering, radio playing is not permitted. Polk/Medical Center will be next."

polk2.wav (34K): Station announcement for Polk/Medical Center.

randolph-wells.wav (27K): Station announcement for Randolph & Wells.

roosevelt-harrison.wav (74K): "This is Roosevelt & State, northbound Howard 'B' train, Harrison & State will be next."

roosevelt.wav (16K): Station announcement for Roosevelt/Wabash.

UI-halsted.wav (31K): Station announcement for U of I-Halsted.

Pre-Recorded Announcement Era

Occasionally, even with the pre-recorded announcement system, operators need to make manual announcements for a variety of reasons. Some examples of these follow:

35-Archer_next.wav (54k): "35th and Archer is next." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Clark-Division_ToRooseveltOnly.wav (301k): This sound is a combination of the automated announcement system and the train operator making a manual announcement. Automated: "This is Clark and Division." Operator: "Alright passengers, this train is only going as far as Roosevelt. (inaudible) ...as far as Roosevelt." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Clark-Lake_next.wav (49k): "Clark and Lake will be next. Clark and Lake." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Kedzie_next.wav (50k): "Kedzie is next." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Monroe-SBto95th.wav (136k): "This stop is Monroe. This is a southbound train, making all stops to 95th." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

NBtrain2Ohare.wav (319k): This sound is a combination of the automated announcement system and the train operator making a manual announcement. Automated: "This is a Blue Line train to O'Hare." Operator: "This is a northbound train to O'Hare. Northbound train to O'Hare. Watch the doors, doors are closing." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

OrangeLine-ExpressToHalsted.wav (108k): "Next stop will take you to Halsted. This train is going express to Halsted." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

PurpleBecomesRed.wav (313k): "This Purple Line train has changed into a Red Line train due to the fact that there are signal problems downtown. Once again, this Purple Line train has become a Red Line train." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

SBto95th.wav (122k): "This is a southbound train to 95th, southbound train to 95th. All aboard, the doors are closing." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

SBto95th-ThisIsRoosevelt.wav (376k): "This is a southbound train going to 95th, making all stops. This is a southbound train to 95th, making all stops. This train is going south to 95th, making all stops. This stop is Roosevelt." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Western_next.wav (33k): "Western is next." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Manual Purple Line announcement for Addison, a weekday Cubs game day-only stop:

Addison_next-Purple.wav (487k): "Hello passengers: This is a regular train going to Addison. Once this train leaves Howard, our next stop will be Addison, Cubs game and Wrigley Field. Once again, once this Purple Line train leaves Howard Street, our next stop will be Addison, Wrigley Field Cubs game." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

On the Occasion of a Green Line Reroute over the Loop Elevated, a Loop Shuttle was Operated:

GreenReroute@State.wav (436k): "To go to the Green Line to Harlem and Lake, take trains one stop to Clark and Lake, wait there for the Harlem/Lake train to pick you up. If you would like to go to Cottage Grove or Ashland, board the Orange Line train, get off at Roosevelt, and transfer to the Green Line." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

GreenReroute-Harlem-Lake.wav (308k): "...Kimball... If you would like to go to Harlem and Lake, board this train, go one stop to Clark and Lake, get off at Clark and Lake, on the platform there will be a train to come and get you... from that platform, to take you to Harlem and Lake." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Pre-Recorded Announcements

In 2000, the CTA activated a pre-recorded announcement system on its trains. The pre-recorded announcement system assures consistently correct, clear and helpful announcements. The messages for all the rail lines are loaded onto every railcar, allowing units to be interchanged throughout the rail system.

Although the announcements are pre-recorded and the sequence is pre-programmed, the announcement were not originally "automatic"; they were manually triggered by the train operator. The operator performs a log-on procedure on the Operator Control Unit (OCU), a small display unit with buttons to navigate through on-screen menus, at the beginning of every trip that automatically cues the system to select the proper messages for that line, direction of travel, day, and time of day. Regular announcements can be played from the OCU and are sequenced automatically. Informational (public service) announcements are sequenced into the regular message lists and require no special procedures. The older cars -- 2200-, 2400-, 2600- and 3200-series cars -- required each message in the sequence to be triggered manually until those cars' retirement. The 5000-series cars, equipped with GPS, can be set on an "automatic mode" so that the regular announcement sequence does play automatically without operator intervention. The announcements can also be operated in a manual mode on the 5000s as well.

Special announcements for delays to service must be manually selected at the OCU before being played on any car series. Similarly, the "Doors closing" announcement is manually triggered each time it is played, either from the OCU or, more typically, from the 4-button keypad on one of the two door control boxes in the motorcab since the operator should play this announcement while operating the doors and observing the platform. The keypads can also trigger the playing of regular announcements that have been sequenced and are currently displayed on the regular OCU screen. They cannot play the special (delay of service) announcements.

The voice in the announcements on the "L" is that of Lee Crooks, a professional voiceover artist from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Crooks was chosen from among a half-dozen potential voices, male and female and of a racial mix, CTA spokeswoman Noelle Gaffney told the Chicago Tribune. An Americans with Disabilities Act advisory committee and CTA's executive committee voted for the winner, which in this case was no contest. "The voice selected was the No. 1 with both groups because it was clear, easy to understand, friendly but also professional," Gaffney said.

In 2002, the CTA began installing an automated voice annunciation system (AVAS) from Clever Devices on all buses, which automatically makes next-stop and external route identification announcements. Crooks was used to record the messages for this system as well, truly making him "the voice of the CTA."

Crooks still records new and updated messages and soundbites for the system as needed.

A few news articles about Lee Crooks:

"The voice that moves millions", Chicago Tribune, April 24, 2002
"The Voice of the CTA: Actor from Milwaukee a Chicago Legend", DNAinfo Chicago, January 21, 2013
"This Is the Guy Telling You the Doors Open on the Right at Belmont", Chicago Magazine, April 19, 2013

Loop (all lines)

Adams-Wabash_next.wav (264k): "Adams and Wabash is next. Doors open on the right at Adams and Wabash. Transfer to Green, Purple, and Brown Line trains at Adams and Wabash." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Clark-Lake_Orange.wav (283k): "This is Clark and Lake. Transfer to Green, Blue, Purple, and Brown Line trains, and the Thompson Center, at Clark and Lake. This is an Orange Line train to Midway." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

LaSalle-VanBuren.wav (173k): "This is LaSalle and Van Buren. Transfer to Metra trains at LaSalle and Van Buren." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Library_next.wav (184k): "Library-State and Van Buren is next. Doors open on the right at Library-State and Van Buren." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Library_Orange-orig.wav (256k): The is the original recording of the Library station announcement. Its pronunciation was criticized for sounding like he's pronouncing the name "Lie-berry" and later replaced (see next): "This is Library-State and Van Buren. Transfer to Brown Line trains at Library-State and Van Buren. This is an Orange Line train to Midway." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Library_Orange.wav (302k): After the original announcement for Library was criticized for poor enunciation (see above), this version was rerecorded. Note how he over-enunciates the word "Library" this time: "This is Library-State and Van Buren. Transfer to Brown Line trains at Library-State and Van Buren. This is an Orange Line train to Midway." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Madison-Wabash_next.wav (151k): "Madison and Wabash is next. Doors open on the right at Madison and Wabash." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Quincy_Orange.wav (205k): "This is Quincy. Transfer to Metra and Amtrak trains at Quincy. This is an Orange Line train to Midway." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Red Line

Addison_Red_next.wav (267k): "Addison is next. Doors open on the left at Addison. Standing passengers: please do not lean against the doors." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Argyle_next.wav (123k): "Argyle is next. Doors open on the left at Argyle." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Cermak-Chinatown_next.wav (179k): "Cermak-Chinatown is next. Doors open on the left at Cermak-Chinatown." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Chicago.wav (54k): "This is Chicago." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Clark-Division_next.wav (146k): "Clark and Division is next. Doors open on the left at Clark and Division." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Fullerton.wav (100k): "This is Fullerton. This is a Red Line train to 95th." Note, no transfer information here, since this announcement was from about 2am while there is no other service to Fullerton. (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Fullerton_doors.wav (167k): "Doors open on the right at Fullerton. Transfer to Purple and Brown Line trains at Fullerton." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Grand.wav (33k): "This is Grand." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Lake_RedNB.wav (227k): "This is Lake. Transfer to Orange, Green, Purple, and Brown Line trains at Lake. This is a Red Line train to Howard." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Lake_RedSB2013.m4a (73k): "This is Lake. Transfer to Orange, Green, Pink, Brown and Blue line trains at Lake." The announcement is the off-peak variant, so does not include the rush period-only Purple Line, but adds the Pink Line, which was added in 2006. This version was recorded in 2013 when the Blue Line was added as a transfer at Lake -- rather than digitally splice "Blue" into the string of lines for transfer, the CTA recorded a new sound file for the whole station announcement.
(Sound courtesy of Bailey Rodriguez)

North-Clybourn.wav (47k): "This is North and [SIC] Clyburn." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

RedRun839.wav (227k): "Welcome aboard Red Line run 839. North and Clybourn is next. Doors open on the right at North and Clybourn." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Sheridan_next.wav (119k): "Sheridan is next. Doors open on the right at Sheridan." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Washington_Red.wav (314k): "This is Washington. Transfer to Blue Line, Metra, and South Shore Trains, City Hall, the Daley Center, and the Thompson Center, at Washington. This is a Red Line train to Howard." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Blue Line

BlueRun216.wav (254k): Note the sound of a 2200-series motor accelerating after the announcement: "Welcome aboard Blue Line Run 216. Harlem is next. In the direction of travel, doors open on the left at Harlem." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Cicero_Blue-FP.wav (55k): "This is Cicero." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Cicero_Blue-FP_doors.wav (281k): "Doors open on the left at Cicero. Priority seating is intended for the elderly and passengers with disabilities. Your cooperation is requested." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Clinton_Blue_next.wav (114k): "Clinton is next. Doors open on the left at Clinton." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Clinton_Blue.wav (38k): "This is Clinton" (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Jackson_Blue_next.wav (114k): "Jackson is next. Doors open on the left at Jackson." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Kedzie-Homan_next.wav (147k): "Kedzie-Homan is next. Doors open on the left at Kedzie-Homan." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Kedzie-Homan.wav (78k): "This is Kedzie-Homan." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

LaSalle_Blue_next.wav (130k): "LaSalle is next. Doors open on the left at LaSalle." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

LaSalle_Blue.wav (38k): "This is LaSalle" (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

MedicalCenter.wav (259k): "This is Medical Center." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Monroe_Blue.wav (122k): "This is Monroe. This is a Blue Line train to O'Hare." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Racine_Blue_next.wav (119k): "Racine is next. Doors open on the left at Racine." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

UIC-Halsted_next.wav (159k): "UIC-Halsted is next. Doors open on the left at UIC-Halsted." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

UIC-Halsted.wav (52k): "This is UIC-Halsted." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Washington_Blue_next.wav (271k): "Washington is next. Transfer to Red Line trains, the Daley Center, and city hall at Washington. Doors open on the left at Washington." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Washington_Blue_next_offpeak.wav (189k): This sound is the same as above, but note that it omits the references to city hall and the Daley Center, which houses government offices. This version is played in at nights during the week and on weekends, when these offices are closed: "Washington is next. Transfer to Red Line trains at Washington. Doors open on the left at Washington." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Green Line

Clinton_Green.wav (108k): "This is Clinton. Transfer to Metra trains at Clinton." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Conservatory_next.wav (188k): "Conservatory-Central Park Drive is next. Doors open on the right at Conservatory-Central Park Drive." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

GreenToHarlem.wav (85k): "This is a Green Line train to Harlem and Lake." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Brown Line

Damen_Brown-MontroseNext.m4a (313k): "This is Damen." ... <ding-dong> "Doors closing. Montrose is next. Doors open on the right at Montrose." (Sound courtesy of Bailey Rodriguez)

Montrose_Brown-IrvingParkNext.m4a (441k): "This is Montrose." ... <ding-dong> "Doors closing. Irving Park is next. Doors open on the right at Irving Park. Your safety is important. If you observe unattended packages, vandalism, or suspicious activity, inform CTA personnel immediately." (Sound courtesy of Bailey Rodriguez)

Belmont_BrownShuttle.wav (280k): From a Brown Line shuttle, terminating at Belmont: "This is Belmont, as far as this train goes. Transfer to Red Line trains at Belmont. All passengers must leave the train." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Diversey.wav (33k): "This is Diversey." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

MerchandiseMart_next.wav (194k): "Merchandise Mart is next. In the direction of travel, doors open on the right at Merchandise Mart." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Wellington_next.wav (109k): "Wellington is next. Doors open on the right at Wellington." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Orange Line

35-Archer_doors.wav (76k): "Doors open on the left at 35th and Archer." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Kedzie-49_next.wav (136k): "Kedzie is next. Doors open on the left at Kedzie." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Midway.wav (165k): "This is Midway, as far as this train goes. All passengers must leave the train." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

OrangeLineIntro.wav (641k): BONUS TRACK! The full Orange Line intro announcement: "This is an Orange Line train to downtown. Maps are posted in each railcar and station to help you plan your trip--contact station personnel for further assistance. Scheduled travel time to downtown is about 25 minutes. Welcome aboard Orange Line run 705. Pulaski is next. In the direction of travel, doors open on the left at Pulaski." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

OrangeRun701.wav (39k): "Welcome aboard Orange Line run 701." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

OrangeToMidway.wav (76k): "This is an Orange Line train to Midway" (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Pulaski-51.wav (548k): "This is Pulaski." ... doors open ... "Doors Closing." This sound is interesting because it gives you an idea of what kind of standing time there is at each station stop. (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Pulaski-51_doors.wav (42k): "In the direction of travel, doors open on the left at Pulaski." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Roosevelt-Orange.wav (266k): "This is Roosevelt. Transfer to Red and Green Line trains at Roosevelt. Thank you for riding the CTA Orange Line." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Western-49.wav (306k): "This is Western." ... doors open ... "Doors Closing." This sound is interesting because it gives you an idea of what kind of standing time there is at each station stop. (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Purple Line

Belmont_next_Purple.wav (193k): "Belmont is next. Doors open on the left at Belmont. Transfer to Red and Brown Line trains at Belmont." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Belmont_Purple.wav (558k): "This is Belmont. Transfer to Red and Brown Line trains at Belmont. This is a Purple Line Express. <DING DONG> Doors closing. Howard is next. Transfer to Yellow Line trains at Howard." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Davis_next.wav (140k): "Davis is next. Doors open on the right at Davis." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Davis.wav (54k): "This is Davis." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Dempster_next.wav (125k): "Dempster is next. Doors open on the right at Dempster." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Diversey_Purple.wav (120k): "This is Diversey. This is a Purple Line Express." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Fullerton_next_Purple.wav (200k): "Fullerton is next. Doors open on the left at Fullerton. Transfer to Red and Brown Line trains at Fullerton." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Howard_PurpleNB.wav (222k): "This is Howard. Transfer to Yellow Line trains at Howard. This is a Purple Line train." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Howard_PurpleSBExp.wav (226k): "This is Howard. Transfer to Red and Yellow Line trains at Howard. This is a Purple Line Express to downtown." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Main_next.wav (146k): "Main is next. Doors open on the right at Main." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Main.wav (27k): "This is Main." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

MerchandiseMart_Purple.wav (219k): "This is Merchandise Mart. Transfer to Brown Line trains at Merchandise Mart. This is a Purple Line Express. " (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Purple_Line_Express.wav (71k): "This is a Purple Line Express." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

PurpleRun542.wav (294k): "Welcome aboard Purple Line Run 542. South Boulevard is next. In the direction of travel, doors open on the left at South Boulevard." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Sedgwick_Purple.wav (122k): "This is Sedgwick. This is a Purple Line Express." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

SouthBlvd_next.wav (130k): "South Boulevard is next. Doors open on the left at South Boulevard." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Yellow Line

YellowRun591SB.mp3 (249k): "Welcome aboard Yellow Line run 591. Oakton-Skokie is next. Doors open on the left at Oakton-Skokie." (Sound courtesy of Marlene Emilia)

Oakton-Skokie.mp3 (53k): "This is Oakton-Skokie." (Sound courtesy of Marlene Emilia)

Howard_next_Yellow.mp3 (95k): "Howard is next. Transfer to Red and Purple Line trains at Howard." (Sound courtesy of Marlene Emilia)

Howard_Yellow.mp3 (64k): "This is Howard, as far as this train goes." (Sound courtesy of Marlene Emilia)

YellowRun594NB.mp3 (242k): "Welcome aboard Yellow Line run 594. Oakton-Skokie is next. Doors open on the left at Oakton-Skokie." (Sound courtesy of Marlene Emilia)

Dempster-Skokie_next.mp3 (147k): "Dempster-Skokie is next. Doors open on the right at Dempster-Skokie." (Sound courtesy of Marlene Emilia)

Dempster-Skokie.mp3 (88k): "This is Dempster-Skokie, as far as this train goes." (Sound courtesy of Marlene Emilia)

General/Other Announcements

DoorsClosing.wav (76k): <ding-dong> "Doors closing." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

EquipmentProblem.wav (337k): <beep beep beep> "Your attention please. We are being delayed because of an equipment problem on a train. Work is under way to correct the problem. We hope to be moving shortly." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

MedicalEmergency.wav (298k): <beep beep beep> "Your attention please. We are being delayed because of a medical emergency. Assistance has been requested and we hope to be moving shortly." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

NoSmoking.wav (92k): "Smoking, littering, and playing radios or loud devices is prohibited." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

NoSoliciting.wav (119k): "Soliciting on CTA trains is prohibited. Violators will be arrested." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

OperatorOffTrain.wav (315k): <beep beep beep> "Your attention please. This train is experiencing an equipment problem. Your operator is off the train for a few minutes, working to correct the problem. We hope to be moving shortly." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

PrioritySeating.wav (146k): "Priority seating is intended for the elderly and passengers with disabilities. Your cooperation is requested." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

RaisedBridge.wav (214k): <beep beep beep> "Your attention please. We are being delayed because of a raised bridge ahead. We hope to be moving shortly." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

RedBall.mp3 NEW (88k): "The deliberate misuse of the emergency door release handle by passengers is prohibited and subject to a fine. Any such event will be investigated."

SignalDelay.wav (181k): <beep beep beep> "Your attention please: We are being delayed, waiting for signals ahead. We expect to be moving shortly." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Standing.wav (103k): "Standing passengers: Please do not lean against the doors." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

WAdelay.wav (205k): <beep beep beep> "Your attention please. We are being delayed because crews are working on the track ahead. We expect to be moving shortly." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Train/Operations Sounds

1-50horn.wav (133K): The horn of a 1-50 series car

3200horn.wav (156K): The horn of a 3200-series car (all High Performance cars sound similar).

doors.wav (33K): The sound of the quarter-point blinker doors opening on a 1-50 series car. (Thanks to an anonymous railfan for contributing this sound!)

4000_horn.wav (69K): The horn of a 4000-series car (specifically, CTA's historic cars 4271-4272).

beep.wav (9K): A warning beep for passengers to stay clear as a B train passes an A station at high speed (a throwback to skip-stop service!)

cab_signal.wav (24K): The warning beep of the Automatic Cab Signal.

interlocking.wav (73K): A train going through the Tower 18 interlocking.

squeal.wav (77K): The high-pitched squeal of an "L" rounding those tight Loop curves.

Miscellaneous

AVM_alarm.wav (107k): This is the alarm noise made when an Automatic Vending Machine (AVM) that dispenses TransitCards is broken into. It was recorded at Midway when a repairman opened an AVM and accidentally set off the alarm. (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

brown_song.wav (349K): An excellent jingle about the Brown Line, performed by the CTA choir, sung at the Ravenswood Line 90th Anniversary celebration at the Damen station. Wouldn't this make an excellent CTA commercial?

Chicago-Red_escalator.wav (175k): The escalator from the northbound platform to the mezzanine at the rehabbed Chicago/State subway station has a multi-lingual recorded safety warning. Alternating male (the same man as on the trains and buses) and female voices tell people to "Please, watch your step" in several languages. The recording is motion-activated, only playing when someone is sufficiently close to the escalator. (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Inbound_Train.wav (170k): "Attention customers: An inbound train, toward the Loop, will be arriving shortly."..(Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Inbound_Train-vers3.mp3 (100k): A new recording of, "Attention customers: An inbound train, toward the Loop, will be arriving shortly."..(Sound courtesy of Marlene Emilia)

Outbound_Train.wav (164k): "Attention customers: An outbound train, from the Loop, will be arriving shortly." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta)

Outbound_Train-vers2.wav (265k): This is an revised version of the canned announcements for arriving trains, with a different message than is used at most stations. The recordings were made a couple of years apart and their messages are a bit better in quality due to equipment improvements during that time. The same voice is used, but the wording and cadence are different -- this was done to better synchronize the audio with the text message that scrolls across the station's variable message signs for ADA compliance. The message only plays once per track trigger, as opposed to the older message which plays twice. It is being used at a few stops, mostly on the Green Line. Since the Green Line has the oldest installed digital PA system equipment, a minor hardware upgrade was required to implement this function. In the process of installing the upgrade, many of the Green Line message files were updated as well. Note that an actual time until arrival is given, rather than the more general verbiage used in the later version (see previous): "Attention customers: An outbound train, from the Loop, will be arriving in approximately one minute." (Sound courtesy of Tony Coppoletta, information courtesy of John Robertson, Aldridge Electric)

Outbound_Train-vers3.mp3 (117k): A new recording of, "Attention customers: An outbound train, from the Loop, will be arriving shortly." (Sound courtesy of Marlene Emilia)