Chicago Surface Lines X4




Facts and Figures


Current NumberX4
Railway RepresentedChicago Surface Lines
BuilderMcGuire-Cummings
Built In1910
Builder's order id
Currently in (State)Illinois
--(Locality)Union
Totally out of svc date1963
(Initial retirement date)
Car Typecrane
-subtypeself-propelled derrick
-designation
Statusdisplayed inoperable
More infohttp://www.irm.org/player/cslx4
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionwood
Roof typeAR
EndedSE
Length40'0"
Width8'4"
Height11'6"
Weight51000
#Seatsn/a
#Wheels/Conf.8
Total HP160
TrucksArch Bar
BrakesStraight Air
CompressorGE CP27
ControlK-35G
MotorsGE 80A (4)
Voltage (if not 600DC)
NotesRebuilt 1946 from dump motor #N2

Car X4 on display at IRM in 2023
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mugland/52935521450/

Car X4 on display at IRM in 2020
Illinois Railway Museum
photo: https://www.irm.org/gallery/CSLX4/aae

Car History by Frank Hicks


Chicago Surface Lines X4
The only piece of actual work equipment surviving from the Chicago streetcar system is derrick car X4. Built as a Chicago Railways dump motor in 1910, it was heavily rebuilt by CSL in 1946 as a single-ended cab-on-flat derrick. It was used by CTA on the surface system until the last streetcar line was abandoned in 1958, at which time CTA transferred X4 to the rapid transit system. The derrick's design did not lend itself to use on the elevated system, and within five years it was retired by CTA and sold to the Electric Railway Historical Society in Downers Grove, Illinois. ERHS soon moved the X4 to IRM for storage, and when the Society folded in 1973 the derrick was donated to IRM. It is more-or-less operational, but its narrow-tread wheels preclude it from use on IRM's trackage. It is on display.


Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Chicago Railways (Illinois, Chicago)21910 1914 NO NO
Chicago Surface Lines (Illinois, Chicago)N21914 1946 NO NO
Chicago Surface Lines (Illinois, Chicago)X41946 1947 NO NO
Chicago Transit Authority (Illinois, Chicago)X41947 1958 NO NO
Chicago Transit Authority (Illinois, Chicago)S3441958 1963 NO NO
Electric Railway Historical Society (Illinois, Downers Grove)X41963 1973 YES NO
Illinois Railway Museum (Illinois, Union)X41973 present YES NO