Chicago Rapid Transit 5001




Facts and Figures


Current Number5001
Railway RepresentedChicago Rapid Transit
BuilderPullman-Standard
Built In1947
Builder's order id6747
Currently in (State)Illinois
--(Locality)South Elgin
Totally out of svc date1986
(Initial retirement date)1985
Car Typerapid transit car
-subtypethree-car articulated set
-designation
Statusdisplayed inoperable
More info
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionaluminum
Roof typeAR
EndedDE
Length88'8"
Width9'4"
Height12'2"
Weight93000
#Seats100
#Wheels/Conf.16
Total HP440
TrucksClark Special
BrakesElectric
Compressorn/a
ControlWH XDA1 (B1)
MotorsWH 1432LK (8)
Voltage (if not 600DC)

Car 5001 on display at FRTM in 2023
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/19531332@N03/53037546100/

Car 5001 at FRTM in 2022
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fan-t/52427577452/

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


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Chicago Rapid Transit (Illinois, Chicago)50011947 1948 NO NO
Chicago Transit Authority (Illinois, Chicago)50011948 1964 NO NO
Chicago Transit Authority (Illinois, Chicago)511964 1986 NO NO
Fox River Trolley Museum (Illinois, South Elgin)50011986 present YES NO