Chicago South Shore & South Bend 803




Facts and Figures


Current Number803
Railway RepresentedChicago South Shore & South Bend
BuilderGeneral Electric
Built In1948
Builder's order id29932
Currently in (State)Illinois
--(Locality)Union
Totally out of svc date1981
(Initial retirement date)
Car Typelocomotive
-subtype"Little Joe"
-designation
Statusoperated occasionally
More infohttp://www.irm.org/player/csssb803
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionsteel
Roof typeAR
EndedDE
Length88'10"
Width10'7"
Height15'0"
Weight545600
#Seatsn/a
#Wheels/Conf.24
Total HP5100
TrucksGSC
Brakes8EL
CompressorCP-39 (2)
ControlGE P (C195D1)
MotorsGE 750 (8)
Voltage (if not 600DC)1500vDC
NotesOriginally built for Russia

Locomotive 803 in operation at IRM in 2013
RailPictures.net
photo: https://www.railpictures.net/photo/449838/

Locomotive 803 in operation at IRM in 2023
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimkleeman/53087222018/

Car History by Frank Hicks


Chicago South Shore & South Bend 803
One of the largest single-unit electric locomotives ever built was the GE "Little Joes" that were built in 1948. General Electric built 20 of these gigantic streamlined locomotives for export to the Soviet Union, which at the time was expanding its electrified trackage. Increasing tensions in the Cold War and the designation of railroad equipment as strategic material, though, nixed the export. By that time, though, the locomotives were already under construction, and GE offered them at a reduced price to whomever would take them. The South Shore seized the chance to expand its heavy freight business and bought three units; five more were exported to Brazil and the Milwaukee Road snapped up the remaining dozen. The South Shore didn't actually call them "Little Joes" but rather 800's. Units 801-803 operated for three decades, until electric freight operations ended around 1980. In 1981, 803 was sold to IRM, which repainted it and made it operational. Although it has operated at Union in the past, it is in need of minor work and is currently simply on display.


Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Chicago South Shore & South Bend (Indiana, Michigan City)8031948 1981 NO NO
Illinois Railway Museum (Illinois, Union)8031981 present YES NO


Additional Media

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Locomotive 803 in operation at IRM in 2015
Flickr
video: https://www.flickr.com/photos/76677346@N04/21643819885/