Chicago Surface Lines 4001




Facts and Figures


Current Number4001
Railway RepresentedChicago Surface Lines
BuilderPullman-Standard
Built In1934
Builder's order id6429
Currently in (State)Illinois
--(Locality)Union
Totally out of svc date1970
(Initial retirement date)1948
Car Typestreetcar
-subtypepre-PCC prototype
-designation
Statusstored inoperable
More infohttp://hickscarworks.blogspot.com/2012/04/h4001.html
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionaluminum
Roof typeAR
EndedSE
Length50'5"
Width8'6"
Height10'4"
Weight29600
#Seats58
#Wheels/Conf.8
Total HP240
Trucks[Special]
BrakesAir-Electric
Compressor[WABCO R10]
ControlWH XD223
Motors[WH 1430D (4)]
Voltage (if not 600DC)
NotesBody only, on trucks; used as yard shop 1948-1970

Car 4001 in storage at IRM in 2018
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/76677346@N04/44677610465/

Car 4001 during switching at IRM in 2009
Illinois Railway Museum
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/76677346@N04/44677610465/

Car History by Frank Hicks


Chicago Surface Lines 4001
This unique car was built as a prototype pre-PCC streetcar. CSL issued an order in 1933 to Brill and Pullman-Standard to build a modern prototype streetcar. While in the end CSL elected not to put either car into production, both cars operated in Chicago for over a decade. Car 4001 was the more revolutionary of the two owing to its all-aluminum construction. Other modern features included all-aluminum trucks, forced-air ventillation, dynamic braking and an early form of rotary accelerator control. Unfortunately, it was highly unreliable and its unique design made it difficult to find replacement parts. Retired in 1948, in 1953 it was stripped of trucks and interior appointments and made into a yard office. In 1970 it was acquired by the Electric Railway Historical Society, which stored it at the Illinois Railway Museum until ERHS dissolved in 1973 and the car was ceded to IRM. Little restoration work has been done on the car, and the carbody is currently on display.


Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Chicago Surface Lines (Illinois, Chicago)40011934 1947 NO NO
Chicago Transit Authority (Illinois, Chicago)40011947 1970 NO NO
Electric Railway Historical Society (Illinois, Downers Grove)40011970 1973 YES NO
Illinois Railway Museum (Illinois, Union)40011973 present YES NO


Additional Media

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Car 4001 during switching at IRM in 2009
YouTube
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4gieROqDNY