Builder: Cincinnati Car Co.
Description: Steel interurban coach
Secondary Use: None
Type: Interurban Cars
Year: 1927
Retired from Service: 1962
Acquired by the Museum: 1963
Note: 434C is waiting to have compressor re-piped
Fund: 617
Sponsor/Manager: James Tebbetts

Chicago, Aurora & Elgin Railroad 434

From Chicago, Illinois

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History

The main line of the Chicago Aurora & Elgin ran from Forest Park, IL, near the western boundary of Chicago, to Wheaton, IL. From Wheaton, branches extended west to Aurora, Geneva, Batavia and Elgin, IL. From Forest Park to downtown Chicago, CA&E trains operated over the Garfield Park line of the Chicago Rapid Transit (later, Chicago Transit Authority). Unlike most interurbans, the CA&E used power from a third rail, making it compatible with the rapid transit line. So, the railroad was sometimes called “The Great Third Rail.” Other nicknames were “Sunset Lines” and “Roarin’ Elgin.” Soon after utilities magnate Samuel Insull gained control of the CA&E in 1927, the railroad ordered 15 new cars, numbered 420 – 434, from Cincinnati Car to supplement earlier wooden cars. The cars were 55 feet long, the maximum permitted by curves and clearances on the Garfield Park line. Interior appointments included rotating bucket seats, toilet facilities and a smoking compartment. While operating mainly on the third rail, the cars had trolley poles for yard service and limited street running. The CA&E rebuilt No. 434 in 1951. The car’s paint scheme changed from blue to red. In the 1950s, the CTA tore down its Garfield Park elevated line to make way for the Eisenhower Expressway. The CTA operated on temporary street-level tracks until construction of a new line down the expressway median. In 1953, the CA&E determined that operation on the temporary line was not feasible and stopped running its trains over the CTA. Many CA&E passengers, faced with the need to change trains at Forest Park, stopped using the interurban. When the CA&E abandoned all passenger service in 1957, No. 434 was stored at the line’s shops in Wheaton. In 1962, Seashore arranged to acquire No. 434 and had it moved to temporary storage at the Chicago South Shore & South Bend RR shop in Michigan City, IN. In early 1963, No. 434 moved by rail to Kennebunkport and arrived in operating condition. Between 1996 and 2002, a member sponsored a major restoration project which put the car in excellent condition. The car is painted in the red livery it had after the 1951 rebuilding.

Technical Information

Seats: 54
Control: MK (C-165A)
Brakes: AMU
Compressor: D3-F

Trucks

Number: 2
Manufacturer: Baldwin
Model: 84-30AA

Motor

Number: 4
Manufacturer: General Electric
Model: 254C

Weight and Dimensions

Length: 55’ 3.00"
Width: 8’ 7.00"
Height: 12’ 9.00"
Weight: 111100 lbs.

Additional Images

Matthew D. Cosgro in 2002

Sister car 432 in Wheaton on the Elgin Branch – Bob Leffingwell collection at newdavesrailpix.com