Chicago Surface Lines 9020




Facts and Figures


Current Number9020
Railway RepresentedChicago Surface Lines
BuilderJ.G. Brill Company
Built In1921
Builder's order id21272
Currently in (State)Illinois
--(Locality)Union
Totally out of svc date1970
(Initial retirement date)1930
Car Typestreetcar
-subtypecenter entrance trailer
-designation
Statusdisplayed inoperable
More infohttp://hickscarworks.blogspot.com/2021/11/h9020.html
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionsteel
Roof typeAR
EndedDE
Length47'6"
Width8'6"
Height10'9"
Weight25500
#Seats62
#Wheels/Conf.8
Total HP0
TrucksBrill 67F
BrakesStraight Air
Compressor
Control
Motors
Voltage (if not 600DC)
NotesUsed as storage 1934-1970

Car 9020 on display at IRM in 2018
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/garrison27/48331600196/

Car 9020 on display at IRM in 2013
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8226029@N06/9662378455/

Car History by Frank Hicks


Chicago Surface Lines 9020
Chicago experimented extensively with trailer operation; although about 100 trailers were built in the early 1920's, within a decade it had been decided that the experiment was a failure. All trailers were retired by 1935. Many, among them 9020 - a typical example - were converted into storage sheds at the various CSL yards. Car 9020 served as a shed for over three and a half decades at 77th & Vincennes yard before it was acquired by ERHS in 1970, by which time it was the last Chicago trailer left. It was moved immediately to IRM at Union and was formally donated to IRM in 1973, when ERHS dissolved. The car has never been operated, as IRM lacks a car equipped for hauling trailers, but it is complete and on display.


Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Chicago Surface Lines (Illinois, Chicago)90201921 1947 NO NO
Chicago Transit Authority (Illinois, Chicago)90201947 1970 NO NO
Electric Railway Historical Society (Illinois, Downers Grove)90201970 1973 YES NO
Illinois Railway Museum (Illinois, Union)90201973 present YES NO