Chicago Surface Lines 2843
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Dave's Electric Railroads |
Built in:1903 by Jewett Car Company (ord#148)
Out-of-service/Retired:1958
Type of car:streetcar (suburban car)
Current Owner:Illinois Railway Museum(Union, Illinois)
Car History by Frank Hicks
Chicago Surface Lines 2843
This car is a fairly rare example of a Jewett-built streetcar; that company was much better known for its interurbans, and cars of 2843's series were the only Jewett-built streetcars on the CSL. Car 2843 was originally built as a single-ended car, but CSL rebuilt it as a double-ender. Cars of this type were mostly used on the more sparsely-used lines on the south side of Chicago owing to their small vestibules, which made boarding crowds more difficult. In the late 1940's this car was chosen for conversion to a salt spreader, which entailed removing its seats and installing equipment for spreading salt on the tracks. Unfortunately, the salt badly corroded the car's frame and body, and though it was still in operating condition when bought by ERHS it was fairly deteriorated. The car has been stored indoors since ERHS built its barn in the 1960's, and although it is unrestored it is essentially complete and intact. It has been on public display at Union since ERHS went defunct in 1973 and its collection was donated to IRM.
Ownership History:South Chicago City Railway #323 1903-1908 / Calumet & South Chicago #828 1908-1914 / Chicago Surface Lines #2843 1914-1947 / Chicago Transit Authority #AA95 1947-1958 / 1st preserved by Electric Railway Historical Society 1958-1973 / Illinois Railway Museum(Union, Illinois) 1973-present
Facts and Figures
| Status:displayed inoperable | Gauge:4'8.5" |
| Construction:wood | Roof type:AR | Ended:DE |
| Length:42'3" | Width:8'0" | Weight:51300# |
| #Seats:44 | #Wheels/Conf.:8 (B-B) | Total HP:160 |
| Trucks:Taylor | Brakes:Straight Air | Compressor:A4 |
| Motors:GE 80A (4) | Voltage (if not 600DC): |
Notes
Later CTA salt car #AA95
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