Chicago Lake Shore & South Bend 73



Facts and Figures


Current Number73
Railway RepresentedChicago Lake Shore & South Bend
BuilderNiles Car & Manufacturing
Built In1908
Builder's order id
Currently in (State)Illinois
--(Locality)Murphysboro
Totally out of svc date1940
(Initial retirement date)1938
Car Typeinterurban
-subtypecombine
-designation
Statusundergoing restoration
More info
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionwood
Roof typeRR
EndedDE
Length58'4"
Width10'0"
Height13'8"
Weight111350
#Seats46
#Wheels/Conf.8
Total HP500
Trucks[Baldwin 90-35]
Brakes
Compressor
Control[WH AB (189)]
Motors[WH 148D (4)]
Voltage (if not 600DC)6600vAC
NotesConverted to work motor in 1927; used as yard office 1938-1940; body only

Car 73 under restoration in Murphysboro, Illinois, in 2020
Preserved Traction Blog
photo: https://pnaerc.blogspot.com/2020/10/lake-shore-73-progress.html

Car 73 under restoration in Murphysboro, Illinois, in 2020
Preserved Traction Blog
photo: https://pnaerc.blogspot.com/2020/10/lake-shore-73-progress.html
Car History by Frank Hicks


Chicago Lake Shore & South Bend 73
The only survivor from the CLS&SB, the predecessor to the famous South Shore line, is this heavyweight wooden interurban car. Built by Niles, 73 was constructed for service on the 11,000-volt AC CLS&SB. It was designed for heavy service, and cars of this type were known to pull heavyweight steam-railroad coaches as trailers. Car 73 had a very unusual history. It was involved in a terrible wreck at Shadyside in 1909 in which 12 people were killed and 25 were injured, but was rebuilt in 1910 and continued in service. Rebuilt electrically around 1924 for service on the new 1500-volt DC line of the South Shore, 73 was retired from passenger service in 1927. After retirement it was rebuilt into work motor 1126, and was used in various capacities by the South Shore until it was retired for good in 1941. Sold for use as a house, the carbody remained largely intact. By the 1980's there were several preservation entities interested in acquiring the body of 73, but the homeowner refused to sell. Finally the car was sold in 1984 to Bob Harris of RAIL Foundation, who put the car in storage pending restoration work.

Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Chicago Lake Shore & South Bend (Indiana, Michigan City)731908 1925 NO NO
Chicago South Shore & South Bend (Indiana, Michigan City)11261925 1940 NO NO
Private owner 731994 2022 YES NO
South Shore Line Museum Project (Indiana, Michigan City)732022 present YES NO

Additional Media