Chicago Aurora & Elgin 20
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Dave's Electric Railroads |
Built in:1902 by Niles Car & Manufacturing
Out-of-service/Retired:1962 (1957)
Type of car:interurban ("shorty" coach)
Current Owner:Fox River Trolley Museum(South Elgin, Illinois)
Car History by Frank Hicks
Chicago Aurora & Elgin 20
One of the more significant interurban cars preserved in North America, car 20 is also the oldest operating interurban on the continent. It is the sole survivor of the CA&E's original order for cars, and is thought to have the unique (among preserved cars) distinction of having operated on both the first and the last day of service on the CA&E - these approximately 55 years apart. After retirement, the car was acquired by the Railway Equipment Leasing & Investment Corporation (RELIC), a for-profit group which operated under the name Fox River & Eastern Electric. The car operated at RELIC occasionally during the 1960's, and a restoration effort during the 1970's and 1980's ensured its continued operation. It is in regular service at what is now the non-profit Fox River Trolley Museum.
Ownership History:Aurora Elgin & Chicago #20 1902-1922 / Chicago Aurora & Elgin #20 1922-1962 / 1st preserved by Railway Equipment Leasing & Investment Corporation 1962-1984 / Fox River Trolley Museum(South Elgin, Illinois) 1984-present
Facts and Figures
| Status:operated often | Gauge:4'8.5" |
| Construction:wood | Roof type:RR | Ended:DE |
| Length:47'4" | Width:8'7" | Weight:85900# |
| #Seats:52 | #Wheels/Conf.:8 (B-B) | Total HP:500 |
| Trucks:Baldwin | Brakes:AMM (M15B) | Compressor:D3-EG |
| Motors:GE 66B (4) | Voltage (if not 600DC): |
Notes
Oldest operating interurban in the United States
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