Sand Springs 68

Dave's Electric Railroads

Built in:1918 by Cincinnati Car Company (ord#2290)
Out-of-service/Retired:1960 (1955)
Type of car:interurban (lightweight suburban car)
Current Owner:Illinois Railway Museum(Union, Illinois)

Car History by Frank Hicks

Sand Springs 68 One of the most significant lightweight interurban cars preserved is this car, built by Cincinnati in 1918. This series of cars is widely regarded as the first true lightweight interurban design and pioneered various features designed to save weight. The car's sides are steel girder design, and the low-profile arch bar trucks and small motors are also designed to save weight. Originally Cincinnati Lawrenceburg & Aurora 918, the car operated out of Cincinnati until the CL&A went backrupt in 1934. At that time the fleet of cars was sold to the Sand Springs Railway in Oklahoma, where it formed the backbone of SS's service for years. When most of the ex-CL&A fleet was scrapped in favor of newer double-truck Birneys, 68 was kept on for use in owl service. Retired in 1956, 68 was the subject of one or two short-lived preservation efforts before being sold to a shortline in Arkansas which attempted to make the car into a locomotive-hauled coach. The conversion didn't get very far; 68's lightweight construction prevented serious buffer forces from being placed on the frame. The car was then sold to a Tulsa scrapyard, from which it was rescued in 1967 by IRM. Brought to Union that year, the car has seen a slow restoration effort over the past several decades. The car's exterior is restored and work on electrical and mechanical components has been ongoing.

Ownership History:Cincinnati Lawrenceburg & Aurora #918 1918-1932 / Sand Springs #68 1932-1956 / 1st preserved by Tulsa Fairgrounds 1960-1966 / later preserved by Ozark Mountain Railroad 1966-1967 / Illinois Railway Museum(Union, Illinois) 1967-present

Facts and Figures

Status:operated occasionally		Gauge:4'8.5"
Construction:steel	Roof type:RR	Ended:DE
Length:40'6"	Width:8'3"	Weight:26120#
#Seats:44	#Wheels/Conf.:8 (B-B)	Total HP:100
Trucks:Cincinnati Arch Bar	Brakes:Straight Air	Compressor:CP-25C
Motors:GE 264 (4)	Voltage (if not 600DC):

Notes

Originally had GE 258C motors
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