Chicago South Shore & South Bend 504

Dave's Electric Railroads

Built in:1925 by St. Louis Car Company (ord#1389)
Out-of-service/Retired:1975
Type of car:freight trailer (converted interurban car)
Current Owner:Illinois Railway Museum(Union, Illinois)

Car History by Frank Hicks

Chicago South Shore & South Bend 504 This interurban freight trailer has a more unusual history than most. It was built for ISC as an interurban combine, and ran on that system's lines in Indiana for five years until ISC became part of the great Indiana Railroad system. IR rebuilt the three cars of the 375-377 series into railway post office cars and put them to use in this unusual capacity. The three RPO's survived on IR until the end of interurban service in 1941, at which time all three were sold to the only other interurban line then operating in Indiana: the South Shore. The South Shore converted 376 into a line car while 375 and 377 became express package trailers. These cars were designed to run in passenger trains and had control lines so that they could be run mid-train; they were often used to transport newspapers. Car 504 was retired in 1975 and acquired by IRM, which has repainted it and put it on display.

Ownership History:Indiana Service Corporation #377 1925-1930 / Indiana Railroad #377 1930-1941 / Chicago South Shore & South Bend #504 1941-1975 / Illinois Railway Museum(Union, Illinois) 1975-present

Facts and Figures

Status:displayed inoperable		Gauge:4'8.5"
Construction:steel	Roof type:AR	Ended:DE
Length:61'6"	Width:9'6"	Weight:
#Seats:n/a	#Wheels/Conf.:8 (2-2)	Total HP:0
Trucks:Baldwin	Brakes:ATM	Compressor:
Motors:	Voltage (if not 600DC):1500vDC

Notes

Originally Indiana Service Corporation baggage-coach #377, then Indiana Railroad coach-RPO #377
PHOTO PHOTO