Chicago Transit Authority 52

Illinois Railway Museum

Built in:1947 by Pullman-Standard (ord#6747)
Out-of-service/Retired:1986 (1985)
Type of car:rapid transit car (three-car articulated set)
Current Owner:Illinois Railway Museum(Union, Illinois)

Car History by Frank Hicks


Chicago Transit Authority 52
Some of Chicago's most unusual "L" cars were the four 5000's, of which 52 is one of three surviving examples. These cars were built as prototypes and were the product of a CRT study on modern rapid transit car design. Cars 5001-5002 were built by Pullman-Standard and 5003-5004 by St. Louis, though they were almost identical. The 5000's used PCC technology in a fully-articulated three-car arrangement and sported other modern features like aluminum construction and "blinker" doors. Despite their modernity they were not replicated and for some time were "white elephants" on the CTA. In 1964 they were assigned to the then-new Skokie Swift, which ran on part of the recently abandoned North Shore Line, and they remained on the Skokie line until retirement. Car 52 was rebuilt in 1975 and received a patriotic Bicentennial-inspired livery along with a new (temporary) number, '75, and a name, "Paul Revere." By the time it was retired and acquired by IRM it had returned to being car 52. It operated briefly at IRM in the late 1990's but is currently inoperable and on static display.

Ownership History:Chicago Rapid Transit #5002 1947-1947 / Chicago Transit Authority #5002 1947-1963 / Chicago Transit Authority #'75 1975-? / Chicago Transit Authority #52 ?-1986 / Illinois Railway Museum(Union, Illinois) 1986-present



Facts and Figures


Status:displayed inoperableGauge:4'8.5"
Construction:aluminumRoof type:AREnded:DE
Length:88'8"Width:9'4"Weight:93000#
#Seats:96#Wheels/Conf.:16 (B-B-B-B)Total HP:440
Trucks:Clark SpecialBrakes:ElectricCompressor:n/a
Motors:WH 1432LK (8)Voltage (if not 600DC)


Notes

Former #75 "Paul Revere"
PHOTO