Chicago Surface Lines 1374




Facts and Figures


Current Number1374
Railway RepresentedChicago Surface Lines
BuilderSt. Louis Car Company
Built In1905
Builder's order id715
Currently in (State)Illinois
--(Locality)Union
Totally out of svc date1958
(Initial retirement date)
Car Typestreetcar
-subtypeclosed
-designation
Statusoperated often
More infohttp://www.irm.org/player/csl1374
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionwood
Roof typeDR
EndedDE
Length41'0"
Width8'6"
Height11'4"
Weight46000
#Seats36
#Wheels/Conf.8
Total HP160
TrucksSt Louis 47
BrakesStraight Air
CompressorNational A4
ControlK-28
MotorsGE 80A (4)
Voltage (if not 600DC)
NotesRebuilt as salt car in 1933

Car 1374 in operation at IRM in 2022
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/19908866@N03/52440782510/

Car 1374 in operation at IRM in 2018
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/19908866@N03/42904893734/

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


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Chicago Union Traction (Illinois, Chicago)49031905 1908 NO NO
Chicago Railways (Illinois, Chicago)13741908 1914 NO NO
Chicago Surface Lines (Illinois, Chicago)13741914 1947 NO NO
Chicago Transit Authority (Illinois, Chicago)AA631947 1958 NO NO
Electric Railway Historical Society (Illinois, Downers Grove)13741958 1973 YES NO
Illinois Railway Museum (Illinois, Union)13741973 present YES NO


Additional Media

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Car 1374 in operation at IRM in 2023
YouTube
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsaRc4GUcI8