Illinois Terminal 504




Facts and Figures


Current Number504
Railway RepresentedIllinois Terminal
BuilderAmerican Car & Foundry
Built In1910
Builder's order id5575
Currently in (State)Illinois
--(Locality)Union
Totally out of svc date1960
(Initial retirement date)
Car Typeinterurban
-subtypesleeping car
-designation
Statusdisplayed inoperable
More infohttp://www.irm.org/player/it504
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionwood
Roof typeAR
EndedDE
Length54'0"
Width9'3"
Height12'10"
Weight84500
#Seats20
#Wheels/Conf.8
Total HP0
TrucksACF MCB
BrakesAB
Compressor
Control
Motors
Voltage (if not 600DC)
Notes"Peoria"; later rebuilt to bunk car #049; originally had ATU brakes

Car 504 on display at IRM in 2020
Illinois Railway Museum
photo: https://www.irm.org/gallery/IT504/aab

Car 504 on display at IRM in 1978
Illinois Railway Museum
photo: https://www.irm.org/gallery/IT504/aaa

Car History by Frank Hicks


Illinois Terminal 504
The only interurban sleeping car to survive fully intact is this wooden car from the second largest interurban system in the U.S., the Illinois Terminal. The "Peoria" was one of eight sleeping cars to ply the tracks of the IT, and was one of the last in service. When sleeping car service ended in 1938, the car was converted to work service and put in use as a bunk car. Fortunately, few modifications were made, and "Peoria" remained intact until retired by the IT in 1960. It passed through several years of private ownership until it was sold to an IRM member in 1966 who moved it to Union; it was later officially donated to IRM. It has been operated in the past but is currently on static display.


Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Illinois Traction System (Missouri, St. Louis)5041910 1928 NO NO
Illinois Terminal (Missouri, St. Louis)5041928 1938 NO NO
Illinois Terminal (Missouri, St. Louis)0491938 1960 NO NO
Private owner 5041960 1966 YES NO
Illinois Railway Museum (Illinois, Union)5041966 present YES NO


Additional Media