Chicago Transit Authority 4146




Facts and Figures


Current Number4146
Railway RepresentedChicago Transit Authority
BuilderCincinnati Car Company
Built In1915
Builder's order id2000
Currently in (State)Illinois
--(Locality)Union
Totally out of svc date1972
(Initial retirement date)
Car Typerapid transit car
-subtypecenter door
-designation
Statusundergoing restoration
More infohttp://www.irm.org/player/cta4146
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionsteel
Roof typeAR
EndedDE
Length48'6"
Width8'8"
Height12'4"
Weight70000
#Seats52
#Wheels/Conf.8
Total HP330
TrucksBaldwin 78-25A/72-22A
BrakesAMU
CompressorD3-F
ControlWH ABLFM (36C)
MotorsGE 243B (2)
Voltage (if not 600DC)

Car 4146 in operation at IRM in 2020
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/19908866@N03/50334861633/

Car 4146 in operation at IRM in 2020
Facebook
photo: https://www.facebook.com/IllinoisRailwayMuseum/photos/a.445577782167744/3483521698373322/?type=3

Car History by Frank Hicks


Chicago Transit Authority 4146
When the Chicago elevated system was unified in 1913, design and construction of the system's first steel cars began. The result was 250 all-steel cars built with more modern trucks and electrical equipment than the older wood cars and designed with subway operation in mind. These cars had steel roofs with no provision for trolley poles (leading to their nickname: Baldies) and three side doors for use in the as-yet-unbuilt subway, though the middle doors were never used. These cars operated across the Chicago rapid transit system for fifty years with few modifications. Around 1948 the CTA combined all of the 4000-series cars into semi-permanently coupled pairs and rebuilt them for multiple unit door control, but there were few other major changes. The first Baldy to be preserved in a museum was this car, which came to IRM along with a later 4000-type car in 1972. It was used periodically during the 1970's and 1980's but was retired for body and interior rebuilding work; this restoration project is ongoing.


Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Chicago Elevated Railway (Illinois, Chicago)41461915 1924 NO NO
Chicago Rapid Transit (Illinois, Chicago)41461924 1947 NO NO
Chicago Transit Authority (Illinois, Chicago)41461947 1972 NO NO
Illinois Railway Museum (Illinois, Union)41461972 present YES NO


Additional Media