Illinois Terminal 277

Don's Depot - Don's Rail Photos

Built in:1913 by St. Louis Car Company (ord#966)
Out-of-service/Retired:1956
Type of car:interurban (combine)
Current Owner:Illinois Railway Museum(Union, Illinois)

Car History by Frank Hicks

Illinois Terminal 277 The country's second largest interurban network was the Illinois Traction System - the McKinley lines - that stretched across much of the state of Illinois and lasted into the late 1950's. The IT operated a sizeable fleet of long, heavy, pre-1920 interurban cars until the end of intercity passenger service in 1956. Best known among these were the Bosenbury combines, of which 277 is one of two surviving examples. Named after the IT's chief mechanical officer, these cars featured arched windows of a design unique to the IT. Car 277 was built with a wooden structure but steel sheathing, and originally had stained-glass windows that were later plated over. Designed for hauling several trailers, cars like 277 were at the head end of many of the IT's crack passenger trains into the 1950's. Car 277 was bought by IRM when it was retired in 1956; during the 1970's and 1980's it was periodically operated, but was eventually retired due to a need for electrical work. It is currently on static display.

Ownership History:Illinois Traction System #277 1913-1928 / Illinois Terminal #277 1928-1956 / Illinois Railway Museum(Union, Illinois) 1956-present

Facts and Figures

Status:operated occasionally		Gauge:4'8.5"
Construction:wood	Roof type:AR	Ended:SE
Length:55'10"	Width:9'8"	Weight:107170#
#Seats:43	#Wheels/Conf.:8 (B-B)	Total HP:560
Trucks:St Louis 62	Brakes:AMU (M22A)	Compressor:D2-EG (2)
Motors:GE 222G (4)	Voltage (if not 600DC):

PHOTO PHOTO