Chicago Rapid Transit 5001
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www.nycsubway.org |
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:Fox River Trolley Museum(South Elgin, Illinois)
Car History by Frank Hicks
Chicago Rapid Transit 5001
Some of Chicago's most unusual "L" cars were the four 5000's, of which 5001 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 51 was acquired by FRTM after it was retired and was repainted to resemble its as-built appearance; it is still in occasional service at that museum.
Ownership History:Chicago Transit Authority #5001 1947-1963 / Chicago Rapid Transit #5001 1947-1947 / Chicago Transit Authority #51 1963-1986 / Fox River Trolley Museum(South Elgin, Illinois) 1986-present
Facts and Figures
Status:operated occasionally | Gauge:4'8.5" |
Construction:aluminum | Roof type:AR | Ended:DE |
Length:88'8" | Width:9'4" | Weight:93000# |
#Seats:100 | #Wheels/Conf.:16 (B-B-B-B) | Total HP:440 |
Trucks:Clark Special | Brakes:Electric | Compressor:n/a |
Motors:WH 1432LK (8) | Voltage (if not 600DC): |
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