Chicago Surface Lines 1374
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Fallen Flag Railroad Photos |
Built in:1905 by St. Louis Car Company (ord#715)
Out-of-service/Retired:1958
Type of car:streetcar (standard)
Current Owner:Illinois Railway Museum(Union, Illinois)
Car History by Frank Hicks
Chicago Surface Lines 1374
CSL 1374 is the only survivor of a series of cars known as "Matchboxes" due to their small (by Chicago standards) size. Built for Chicago Union Traction, it spent most of its life in CSL red and cream. Retired in 1947 with the coming of the postwar PCC cars, 1374 was converted to salt spreading service. This preserved the car until it was retired in 1958 and acquired by the Electric Railway Historical Society. ERHS stored the car in its barn in Downers Grove until the Society went defunct in 1973 and the collection was donated to IRM. Beginning around 1975, a full-scale restoration of 1374 was begun at Union. Extensive frame damage from years of salt spreading was repaired and interior fittings were replaced. The restoration was completed around 1988 and the car entered service, operating on IRM's streetcar line regularly until 2001. Since 2001 it has seen only occasional use. It is the oldest piece of revenue equipment at IRM.
Ownership History:Chicago Union Traction #4903 1905-1908 / Chicago Railways #1374 1908-1914 / Chicago Surface Lines #1374 1914-1947 / Chicago Transit Authority #AA63 1947-1958 / 1st preserved by Electric Railway Historical Society 1958-1973 / Illinois Railway Museum(Union, Illinois) 1973-present
Facts and Figures
| Status:operated occasionally | Gauge:4'8.5" |
| Construction:wood | Roof type:DR | Ended:DE |
| Length:41'0" | Width:8'6" | Weight:46000# |
| #Seats:36 | #Wheels/Conf.:8 (B-B) | Total HP:160 |
| Trucks:St Louis 47 | Brakes:Straight Air | Compressor:A4 |
| Motors:GE 80A (4) | Voltage (if not 600DC): |
Notes
Later CTA salt car #AA63
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