Chicago Aurora & Elgin 20




Facts and Figures


Current Number20
Railway RepresentedChicago Aurora & Elgin
BuilderNiles Car & Manufacturing
Built In1902
Builder's order id
Currently in (State)Illinois
--(Locality)South Elgin
Totally out of svc date1962
(Initial retirement date)1957
Car Typeinterurban
-subtype"shorty" coach
-designation
Statusoperated occasionally
More info
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionwood
Roof typeRR
EndedDE
Length47'4"
Width8'7"
Height13'2"
Weight85900
#Seats52
#Wheels/Conf.8
Total HP500
TrucksBaldwin
BrakesAMM (M15B)
CompressorWABCO D3EG
ControlGE M (C6)
MotorsGE 66B (4)
Voltage (if not 600DC)
NotesOldest operating interurban in the United States

Car 20 in operation at FRTM
Chicago Parent
photo: https://www.chicagoparent.com/sponsored-content/trolley-museum-fox-river/

Car 20 in operation at FRTM in 2010
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/muledriver/5250948305

Car History by Frank Hicks


Chicago Aurora & Elgin 20
One of the more significant interurban cars preserved in North America, car 20 is also the oldest operating interurban on the continent. It is the sole survivor of the CA&E's original order for cars, and is thought to have the unique (among preserved cars) distinction of having operated on both the first and the last day of service on the CA&E - these approximately 55 years apart. After retirement, the car was acquired by the Railway Equipment Leasing & Investment Corporation (RELIC), a for-profit group which operated under the name Fox River & Eastern Electric. The car operated at RELIC occasionally during the 1960's, and a restoration effort during the 1970's and 1980's ensured its continued operation. It is in regular service at what is now the non-profit Fox River Trolley Museum.


Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Aurora Elgin & Chicago (Illinois, Wheaton)201902 1922 NO NO
Chicago Aurora & Elgin (Illinois, Wheaton)201922 1962 NO NO
Railway Equipment Leasing & Investment Corporation (Illinois, South Elgin)201962 1984 YES NO
Fox River Trolley Museum (Illinois, South Elgin)201984 present YES NO


Additional Media

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Car 20 in operation at FRTM in 2012
YouTube
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0qr9sPd11w