Illinois Terminal 451

Built in:1949 by St. Louis Car Company (ord#1672)
Out-of-service/Retired:1958
Type of car:streetcar (PCC, postwar MU)
Current Owner:Connecticut Trolley Museum(East Windsor, Connecticut)

Car History by Jack Naugler

Illinois Terminal 451 The PCC (Presidents' Conference Committee) car was developed in the early 1930's to provide a faster, more comfortable car which would allow street railways to better compete with growing automobile and bus competition. IT 451 is a late model PCC of the "all-electric" design, which means the braking and door operation is performed electrically rather than pneumatically. While 451 uses post-war electrical design, the body is of the pre-war design without standee windows. Most PCC's were single ended cars, and ran as single units. #451 is unusual in that it is double ended, and is equipped for multiple unit operation. The Illinois Terminal Railroad used #451 on their suburban line from St. Louis to Granite City, Illinois. The cars ran with a two man crew, the conductor stationed behind the motorman. In 1958 the ITRR ended passenger operations, and this car along with its seven sister cars were stored in the abandoned subway tunnel. In 1960, the eight cars were sold to a scrap dealer, and later two cars were purchased by a private individual and donated to museums. Car #450 was donated to the Ohio Railway Museum in Worthington, Ohio and car #451 to CTM. Briefly in the 1970's both cars were leased by the Shaker Heights Rapid Transit of Cleveland, Ohio to help relieve a car shortage. As part of the lease agreement, the cars were entirely rebuilt by Shaker Heights. This unit is frequently used by the CTM operating department to carry the public.

Ownership History:Illinois Terminal #451 1949-1958 / Connecticut Trolley Museum(East Windsor, Connecticut) 1964-present

Facts and Figures

Status:operated often		Gauge:4'8.5"
Construction:steel	Roof type:AR	Ended:DE
Length:50'5"	Width:9'0"	Weight:42680#
#Seats:58	#Wheels/Conf.:8 (B-B)	Total HP:220
Trucks:St Louis B3	Brakes:Electric	Compressor:n/a
Motors:GE 1220E1 (4)	Voltage (if not 600DC):

Notes

Multiple unit
PHOTO PHOTO