Illinois Terminal 277




Facts and Figures


Current Number277
Railway RepresentedIllinois Terminal
BuilderSt. Louis Car Company
Built In1913
Builder's order id966
Currently in (State)Illinois
--(Locality)Union
Totally out of svc date1956
(Initial retirement date)
Car Typeinterurban
-subtypecombine
-designation
Statusoperated occasionally
More infohttp://hickscarworks.blogspot.com/2008/10/history-of-illinois-terminal-277.html
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionwood
Roof typeAR
EndedSE
Length55'10"
Width9'8"
Height13'0"
Weight107170
#Seats43
#Wheels/Conf.8
Total HP560
TrucksSt Louis 62
BrakesAMU (M22A)
CompressorWABCO D2EG (2)
ControlGE M (C101A)
MotorsGE 222G (4)
Voltage (if not 600DC)

Car 277 in operation at IRM in 2023
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/19908866@N03/53030904557/

Car 277 in operation at IRM in 2023
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/76677346@N04/53053992370/

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; since that time it has been maintained in operational condition and some restoration work has been done to refurbish the interior.


Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Illinois Traction System (Missouri, St. Louis)2771913 1928 NO NO
Illinois Terminal (Missouri, St. Louis)2771928 1956 NO NO
Illinois Railway Museum (Illinois, Union)2771956 present YES NO


Additional Media

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Car 277 in operation at IRM in 2023
Flickr
video: https://www.flickr.com/photos/76677346@N04/53053797559/