Fort Wayne & Wabash Valley 504




Facts and Figures


Current Number504
Railway RepresentedFort Wayne & Wabash Valley
BuilderCincinnati Car Company
Built In1906
Builder's order id315
Currently in (State)Illinois
--(Locality)Union
Totally out of svc date1932
(Initial retirement date)
Car Typeinterurban
-subtypebaggage-coach-parlor-buffet-solarium
-designation
Statusdisplayed inoperable
More infohttp://www.irm.org/player/fwwv504
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionwood
Roof typeRR
EndedSE
Length61'6"
Width8'11"
Height13'2"
Weight83000
#Seats48
#Wheels/Conf.8
Total HP400
TrucksMCB
BrakesAMM [(M15)]
CompressorWABCO D2EG
ControlWH AB (11)
Motors[WH 121 (4)]
Voltage (if not 600DC)
Notes"Talisman"

Car 504 during switching at IRM in 2005
Illinois Railway Museum
photo: https://www.irm.org/gallery/FWWV504/aab

Car 504 on display at IRM in 2015
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kurtsj00/26099055494/

Car History by Frank Hicks


Fort Wayne & Wabash Valley 504
The "Talisman" is an example of one of the most plush and attractive types of parlor car built, Cincinnati's 1906 cars built for the FW&WV and for Union Traction. This car packed many features into its 62' length - a baggage compartment at the front with coach section; following it were washrooms and a small buffet compartment; behind that was a parlor section, capped off with a solarium rear platform with full-height curved-glass observation windows. Unfortunately, the luxury travel envisioned did not materialize and the car was rebuilt for coach service. Retired in 1932, the body became a house in rural Mongo, Indiana. There it remained until acquired by IRM in 1991, after which a quarter-million dollar restoration program commenced. The car's body and exterior were completely restored, but the project stopped before interior and electrical work were completed.


Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Fort Wayne & Wabash Valley (Indiana, Fort Wayne)5041906 1920 NO NO
Indiana Service Corporation (Indiana, Fort Wayne)3541920 1930 NO NO
Indiana Railroad (Indiana, Indianapolis)3541930 1932 NO NO
Illinois Railway Museum (Illinois, Union)5041991 present YES NO