by Gilbert B Norman
I'm not certain I have ever seen this Chicago concern mentioned at any rail forum at which I participate.
I'm willing to bet there are a few "wazzats" being muttered.
Parmelee Transfer was the concern that provided transfers amongst the eight stations at which trains originated. The cost of this service was absorbed by the railroads whenever an Interline ticket through Chicago was issued.
This service originated during the 19th century, and neeedless to say, used horse drawn carriages then. What few photos I have seen of their vehicles suggests that Pullman Green "stretch' limos were used 1920's onward.
The service lasted until 1955, when the railroads decided they could do it cheaper themselves. Parmelee got kicked out and the railroads organized a concern named Railroad Transfer Service. Their vehicles, stretch SUV's, were painted light Blue with White trim. Their herald resembled that of the Texas & Pacific RR. I think, and of course would be a "bone of contention", the service was contracted out using non-union drivers.
This service was active when I first visited Chicago during 1961.
Needless to say Parmelee, most definitely a Union Shop, had their friends about town - and in the right places. The matter that they got replaced was the subject of civil litigation (railroads failed to obtain a Certificate of Convenience or Necessity was the issue) that went to the US Supreme Court, but the railroads prevailed.
During the "60's", as the rails in the East "threw in the towell", they were looking for the exit signs with RTS. They first started to impose a transfer fee on Interline tickets routed through Chicago; this often made two Local tickets the cheaper alternative.
By 1968, the "party's over" - make your own transfer arrangements (mine was shank's mare).
Well, as I noted earlier, both concerns, Parmelee and Railroad Transfer, live on. Railroad Transfer was, as I noted, a 'contract out" operation, to Keeshin Charter, as this is to whom the RTS vehicles were "sublettered". Keeshin Charter, a reasonable sized charter bus operator, formerly operated their fleet under their own name, but today is a franchisee of the concern named Coach USA.
Parmelee "morphed" into Continental Limousine which held the exclusive rights to the "airport limo" franchise in Chicago. For our busfans around here, their equipment was mainly the bulbulous tailed Flexible coaches painted a dark green. Once again "friends in the right places".
As the concept of the traditional airport limousine running from the airport to the leading downtown hotel evolved into multi destinations often located in the suburbs, the 40 passenger coach became anachronistic. So Continental Lmo "morphed" into "Airport Express", whose fleet appears to be mainly comprised of 8 passenger vans, even though higher capacity units are in their fleet. That they remain the "official' limo, they have ticket counters in a much more conspicuous location within the baggage area of O Hare AND they are the only operator, along with Chicago taxicabs, who can use the "inner island" - a definite plus.
I'm willing to bet there are a few "wazzats" being muttered.
Parmelee Transfer was the concern that provided transfers amongst the eight stations at which trains originated. The cost of this service was absorbed by the railroads whenever an Interline ticket through Chicago was issued.
This service originated during the 19th century, and neeedless to say, used horse drawn carriages then. What few photos I have seen of their vehicles suggests that Pullman Green "stretch' limos were used 1920's onward.
The service lasted until 1955, when the railroads decided they could do it cheaper themselves. Parmelee got kicked out and the railroads organized a concern named Railroad Transfer Service. Their vehicles, stretch SUV's, were painted light Blue with White trim. Their herald resembled that of the Texas & Pacific RR. I think, and of course would be a "bone of contention", the service was contracted out using non-union drivers.
This service was active when I first visited Chicago during 1961.
Needless to say Parmelee, most definitely a Union Shop, had their friends about town - and in the right places. The matter that they got replaced was the subject of civil litigation (railroads failed to obtain a Certificate of Convenience or Necessity was the issue) that went to the US Supreme Court, but the railroads prevailed.
During the "60's", as the rails in the East "threw in the towell", they were looking for the exit signs with RTS. They first started to impose a transfer fee on Interline tickets routed through Chicago; this often made two Local tickets the cheaper alternative.
By 1968, the "party's over" - make your own transfer arrangements (mine was shank's mare).
Well, as I noted earlier, both concerns, Parmelee and Railroad Transfer, live on. Railroad Transfer was, as I noted, a 'contract out" operation, to Keeshin Charter, as this is to whom the RTS vehicles were "sublettered". Keeshin Charter, a reasonable sized charter bus operator, formerly operated their fleet under their own name, but today is a franchisee of the concern named Coach USA.
Parmelee "morphed" into Continental Limousine which held the exclusive rights to the "airport limo" franchise in Chicago. For our busfans around here, their equipment was mainly the bulbulous tailed Flexible coaches painted a dark green. Once again "friends in the right places".
As the concept of the traditional airport limousine running from the airport to the leading downtown hotel evolved into multi destinations often located in the suburbs, the 40 passenger coach became anachronistic. So Continental Lmo "morphed" into "Airport Express", whose fleet appears to be mainly comprised of 8 passenger vans, even though higher capacity units are in their fleet. That they remain the "official' limo, they have ticket counters in a much more conspicuous location within the baggage area of O Hare AND they are the only operator, along with Chicago taxicabs, who can use the "inner island" - a definite plus.
