Illinois Terminal 233




Facts and Figures


Current Number233
Railway RepresentedIllinois Terminal
BuilderSt. Louis Car Company
Built In1905
Builder's order id560
Currently in (State)Illinois
--(Locality)Union
Totally out of svc date1956
(Initial retirement date)
Car Typeinterurban
-subtypebusiness car
-designation
Statusdisplayed inoperable
More infohttp://www.irm.org/player/it233
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionwood
Roof typeAR
EndedSE
Length62'10"
Width8'11"
Height12'10"
Weight95000
#Seats16
#Wheels/Conf.8
Total HP300
TrucksSt Louis 61A
BrakesAMS (M22A)
CompressorWABCO D2EG (2)
ControlGE M (C6)
Motors[GE 205A (4)]
Voltage (if not 600DC)

Car 233 on display at IRM in 2020
Illinois Railway Museum
photo: https://www.irm.org/gallery/IT233/aae

Car 233 on display at IRM in 2022
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/genericrailfan/52199130378/

Car History by Frank Hicks


Illinois Terminal 233
This beautifully furnished interurban office car was built in 1909 as the coach "Missouri." It was soon rebuilt, though, as parlor car 233. The car's claim to fame came in 1912 when it and car 234 were used to transport President William Howard Taft across the Illinois Traction System. The car was used for years as the IT's primary office car and was used for official trips and inspections. For most of its life it was powered, but its motors were removed around 1954. Taken out of service when the IT interurban lines were being abandoned, 233 was sold to Maury Kleboldt. Kleboldt ran the Illini Railroad Club, a group dedicated to running fantrips, and used 233 (and 234, which he also acquired) on several fantrips over the IT system in the 1950's and 1960's. In 1968, 233 and 234 were acquired by IRM. The car has been operated (as a trailer) at IRM, but problems with motor car 277 have grounded it in recent years. It is on display.


Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Illinois Traction System (Missouri, St. Louis)Missouri1905 1909 NO NO
Illinois Traction System (Missouri, St. Louis)2331909 1928 NO NO
Illinois Terminal (Missouri, St. Louis)2331928 1956 NO NO
Illini Railroad Club (Illinois, Champaign)2331956 1968 YES NO
Illinois Railway Museum (Illinois, Union)2331968 present YES NO