The spirits of Halloween will ride the rails again for the fifth season as the CTA and the Mayor's Office of Special Events team up to provide ghostly trips around the Loop on a Haunted 'L' train. The train will operate Thursday evenings from October 10 through October 31, and at select times on Saturdays and Sundays, starting October 12.
The Haunted 'L' train is so popular that this year an extra trip is being added each day the train is operating. The increased number of trips allows more than a thousand additional customers the opportunity to come downtown and ride the train not only on weekends, but also on Thursday nights, as part of Chicagoween 2002.
The exterior of the Haunted 'L' train is decorated to look like a haunted mansion. The on-board performances are produced by "The Hypocrites," a Chicago theatrical group. The semi-serious tales and songs of Chicago's spirit-filled history will thrill adults and children of all ages as the Haunted 'L' circles the Loop.
The Haunted 'L' tours are free, but guests must first obtain tickets from the Chicago Cultural Center Visitor Information Center at 77 East Randolph. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be offered only on the same day the Haunted 'L' trip is taken. There is a four-ticket limit per person. Ticket distribution starts at 6 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Haunted 'L' tours begin at the inner Loop Randolph/Wabash 'L' station and last for 25 minutes. The tours will start at 7, 7:25, 7:50 and 8:15 p.m. on Thursday evenings, October 10, 17, 24 and 31. On Saturdays and Sundays, October 12-13,19-20 and 26-27, departures will be at 11:40 a.m., 12:05 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 12:55 p.m., and 1:15 p.m. Customers with disabilities can make arrangements at the time they pick up their tickets to board the train at the accessible Clark/Lake 'L' station.
For more information on the Haunted 'L' call the Mayor's Office of Special Events Hotline at (312) 744-3370/TTY(312) 744-2964.
###