Chicago Surface Lines 2843




Facts and Figures


Current Number2843
Railway RepresentedChicago Surface Lines
BuilderJewett Car Company
Built In1903
Builder's order id148
Currently in (State)Illinois
--(Locality)Union
Totally out of svc date1958
(Initial retirement date)
Car Typestreetcar
-subtypesuburban car
-designation
Statusdisplayed inoperable
More infohttp://hickscarworks.blogspot.com/2015/04/h2843.html
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionwood
Roof typeDR
EndedDE
Length42'3"
Width8'0"
Height12'2"
Weight51300
#Seats44
#Wheels/Conf.8
Total HP160
TrucksTaylor HSB2
BrakesStraight Air
CompressorNational A4
ControlK-28
MotorsGE 80A (4)
Voltage (if not 600DC)
NotesLater CTA salt car #AA95

Car 2843 during switching at IRM in 2016
Hicks Car Works
photo: https://hickscarworks.blogspot.com/2016/05/rarities-on-move.html

Car 2843 during switching at IRM in 2016
Illinois Railway Museum
photo: https://www.irm.org/gallery/CSL2843/aai

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


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
South Chicago City Railway (Illinois, Chicago)3231903 1908 NO NO
Calumet & South Chicago (Illinois, Chicago)8281908 1914 NO NO
Chicago Surface Lines (Illinois, Chicago)28431914 1947 NO NO
Chicago Transit Authority (Illinois, Chicago)AA951947 1958 NO NO
Electric Railway Historical Society (Illinois, Downers Grove)28431958 1973 YES NO
Illinois Railway Museum (Illinois, Union)28431973 present YES NO