Chicago Aurora & Elgin 460




Facts and Figures


Current Number460
Railway RepresentedChicago Aurora & Elgin
BuilderSt. Louis Car Company
Built In1945
Builder's order id1717
Currently in (State)Illinois
--(Locality)Union
Totally out of svc date1962
(Initial retirement date)1957
Car Typeinterurban
-subtypecurveside coach
-designation
Statusoperated occasionally
More infohttp://www.irm.org/player/cae460
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionsteel
Roof typeAR
EndedDE
Length55'4"
Width9'0"
Height12'3"
Weight86600
#Seats52
#Wheels/Conf.8
Total HP
TrucksGSC
BrakesAMU (M23)
CompressorDH-25
ControlGE M (17KC54A1)
MotorsGE 739A (4)
Voltage (if not 600DC)

Car 460 in operation at IRM
Hicks Car Works
photo: https://hickscarworks.blogspot.com/2020/08/history-of-ca-st-louis-cars.html

Car 460 in operation at IRM in 2012
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dtburkett/7549240412/

Car History by Frank Hicks


Chicago Aurora & Elgin 460
Car 460 is generally acknowledged to be the last standard interurban coach built in the United States. The CA&E placed an order for 10 interurban coaches with St. Louis in 1941 but manfuacturing controls put in place during World War II delayed completion of the order until 1945. Cars 451-460 were the most modern interurbans of their day with 300-volt motors, modern contactors and trucks, and streamliner-style interiors. They operated until the CA&E abandoned service on July 3, 1957, after which the entire passenger fleet was stored for five years. In 1962 Gerald Brookins acquired 460 and three of the other 450-series cars for his Trolleyville museum line in Olmsted Falls, Ohio. Car 460 was operated there until the property was sold in the early 2000's, and was moved to downtown Cleveland in May 2006. It was operated occasionally on the rapid transit system while in Cleveland. The Lake Shore Electric Railway project, of which 460 was a part, was terminated in 2010 and car 460 was sold to IRM in October of that year. Moved to Illinois the following January, car 409 was repainted and put into operation by mid-2010.


Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Chicago Aurora & Elgin (Illinois, Wheaton)4601945 1962 NO NO
Trolleyville, U.S.A. (Ohio, North Olmsted)4601962 2006 YES NO
Lake Shore Electric Railway (Ohio, Cleveland)4602006 2009 YES NO
Illinois Railway Museum (Illinois, Union)4602009 present YES NO


Additional Media

[No preview available]

Car 460 in operation at IRM in 2023
YouTube
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW3MIHz2GhM