CTA Tattler

I'd prefer that myself. I don't go in for a lot of over the top decorations. I like the more discreet look.

No comparison. New York's "Holiday train" is 20,000 times better than Chicago's.

I gotta admit, the old-school 40s-era rail cars are pretty awesome, but at least based on that pic, Chicago still wins on the decoration.

Aw. What could be more festive than queens?

Yet another reason I dislike NYC and LA (not just the fact they're abbreviated lol)

Well at least New York City Transit Authority is not going to lay off 2400 workers.

I took my 6-year-old neice and 4-year-old nephew downtown on the Brown Line Holiday Train last Friday. I think the adults on the train were enjoying the experience more than the kids. It was evening rush hour and the best part was watching tired commuters waiting for trains on the opposite platform or workers looking out office windows. They immediately starting smiling and waving at Santa, who's riding on a flatbed between the train cars (it was about 20 degrees that day). The CTA elves handed out candy canes to everyone and were very welcoming. I really liked all the winter-themed fake ads. The flashing lights on the interior and exterior may be migrane-inducing, but they sure were festive. The seats were even covered with holiday fabric. It's sad to think that some of the employees who worked so hard to transform the train may get a lump of coal on January 20th.

This question is to the moderator. Can you please explain how you can like the fact that cta is running this propanda/amusement park ride while 2400 cta workers are about to get layed off? Do you or any one of those advocates have a conscience?

I would love to ride on a vintage train like that! But as an apples-to-apples holiday train, ours spreads way better holiday cheer than theirs!

This question is to who do you think it is. Can you please explain why you think you have the right to speak for CTA employees? Do you read the posts including the statement from the CTA that there is negligible to no cost in operating the train?

To Who do you think it is?

The moderator already addressed your gripe with the following comment: "So stop getting your undies in a bunch about this." Maybe "Who" needs to visit Whoville and discover why his/her heart is three sizes too small. I sure hope the Ghost of Christmas Past doesn't invade your sleep tonight, Scrooge.

Wait...what about the starving in Africa?
The war in Iraq?

Do we need to deny ourselves everything in life that might provide a smile or a short respite from daily misery?
Do we have to wait until everything is hunky-dory with the world before we can experience momentary happiness?

We'll all be dead before that ever happens.

Is cancelling the holiday train going to magically provide adequate funding for the cta and it's pension fund?

No. Get over it.

Personally, i hate the holidays and i don't give a rat's ass about the holiday train, but "who do you think it is?" gives Scrooges a bad name.
Pull the stick out your way-too-tight ass.
Ya never know...it might even turn out to be a candy cane.

Happy Holidays, you giddy boobs.

I realize I'm venturing frighteningly close to beating-a-dead horse territory, but crankyd and Patrick are on the right track, so to speak. I took the Holiday Train again tonight. Those who were willing to surrender to the whimsy had a lot of fun. The 5-year-old in front of me couldn't stop singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." As soon as we got out of the subway tunnel, people were making calls to relay their wonder and enjoyment. The best part occurred at Belmont. The signals weren't operating and the train was stuck in the station for five minutes. Santa kept leaving his sleigh to walk up the platform and glare at the signal house just north of the station. Happy holidays, everyone. Let's hope the legislature gives us all a gift on the 13th day of Christmas!

I know personnally, and have spoken with several of those 2400 soon to be laid off, and they are very insulted by it, and an informal survey has 90% of cta operatimg union employees agree with me. BTW, I heard it costs about $200,000 a year to operate that train. That's equivalent to 4 laid off workeres annual salaries.

I've heard the Holiday Train actually makes over $500,000 per year in good-will-induced ridership increases.

And my own informal survey shows that 100% of people approve of the Holiday Train, including 115% of CTA employees, 106% of elves, and a whopping 1000% of Santas.

Also, the Holiday Train actually generates electricity and feeds it back into the 3rd rail, leading to a 10% reduction in the CTAs electricity costs on days when it operates.

Finally, I would simply like to point out that 6 - 2 = 3.

Don't believe me? Well, just watch as I repeat these things over and over again here in this blog. Soon enough you will see that these facts must be true - because I keep repeating them!

And if you dare challenge my facts with reality, I will repeat them again! So there!

WAAAAAAAAAAAAA

"I heard it costs about $200,000 a year to operate that train."

And I heard that the moon landing was actually filmed on a sound stage in New Mexico, and we never actually went to the moon.

Just because you heard something, doesn't mean it's true. If you bothered to investigate, you'd find that you are waaaay off-base on both the cost, and how it is precieved by the employees of CTA, including those who may be laid-off.

But I suppose it's more fun to be a troll, and piss on anyone who's looking for a little joy in their lives.

LET THE VANDALS BOMB THE LINES!!!!

Looking at that image, I'd definitely want to be on one of the rail tours for this rather than just being a holiday train. The whole concept is quite cool though