Chicago Aurora & Elgin 321




Facts and Figures


Current Number321
Railway RepresentedChicago Aurora & Elgin
BuilderJewett Car Company
Built In1914
Builder's order id
Currently in (State)Illinois
--(Locality)Union
Totally out of svc date1962
(Initial retirement date)1957
Car Typeinterurban
-subtypecoach
-designation
Statusstored inoperable
More infohttp://hickscarworks.blogspot.com/2008/03/history-of-ca-321_02.html
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionwood
Roof typeRR
EndedDE
Length54'0"
Width8'7"
Height13'0"
Weight100000
#Seats52
#Wheels/Conf.8
Total HP560
TrucksBaldwin 84-35AA
BrakesAMM (M23)
CompressorWABCO D3F
ControlGE M (C6K)
Motors[GE 254A (4)]
Voltage (if not 600DC)

Car 321 during switching at IRM in 2009
Hicks Car Works
photo: https://hickscarworks.blogspot.com/2008/03/history-of-ca-321_02.html

Car 321 in storage at IRM in 2021
Railroad Picture Archives
photo: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5635759

Car History by Frank Hicks


Chicago Aurora & Elgin 321
Car 321 was one of six wood cars built by Jewett for the CA&E. All six cars of this series were originally saved by museums, but car 321 wasn't meant for preservation. It was acquired by IRM for the purpose of scrapping the car to provide electrical equipment for a Milwaukee Electric interurban owned by the museum. While some of the car's interior appointments were disposed of, the car itself was never scrapped but instead was turned into a warehouse. The decision to preserve the car was made during the 1970's, and in 1977 restoration of 321 was made possible when parts were acquired from identical car 318. Car 318 had been destroyed in a wreck, but interior components salvaged from it were allocated to car 321. The car is operational and complete, but the body is in poor condition and most interior appointments are in storage. The car is currently on display.


Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Aurora Elgin & Chicago (Illinois, Wheaton)3211914 1922 NO NO
Chicago Aurora & Elgin (Illinois, Wheaton)3211922 1962 NO NO
Illinois Railway Museum (Illinois, Union)3211962 present YES NO


Additional Media

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Car 321 during switching at IRM in 2009
YouTube
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pehfu5a4ZRk