No other museum besides IRM can field both a three-car train of CA&E woods and steels. (David Sadowski Photo)
We devoted a lot of attention to last year’s Trolley Pageant at the Illinois Railway Museum, and this was one of our more popular posts. This year’s event (July 5th) was a bit different, and in our opinion, more satisfying overall.
In 2013, 60 cars were brought out, but many were just given a quick run by the Depot and went straight back to the barn. This time, visitors were allowed to ride everything that was running, including some work equipment such as the South Shore Line car 1100, the line car that originally ran on the Indiana Railroad.
There were so many consists that we did not have a chance to photograph them all. Somehow we did not get pictures of Illinois Terminal 415 or 101, for example. But we did get enough good pictures to present this photo essay, as the first of two parts. The sequel will feature videos we shot that day.
We hope you had a chance to ride all the equipment you wanted that day, and that you will enjoy these snapshots of a momentous and very enjoyable day at Union.
-David Sadowski
Wooden Chicago “L” car 1268. (David Sadowski Photo)
CA&E car 36 was built by Stephenson in 1903. (David Sadowski Photo)
CA&E 36 came to IRM from the Trolleyville USA collection in 2009. (David Sadowski Photo)
Car 36 has reversible wicker seats. (David Sadowski Photo)
Vintage advertising in CA&E 36. (David Sadowski Photo)
Randy Hicks at the helm of CA&E 36. (David Sadowski Photo)
Conductor Henry A. Vincent Jr. on CA&E 36. (David Sadowski Photo)
The interior of CA&E 36. (David Sadowski Photo)
The three-car train of CA&E steel cars. (David Sadowski Photo)
The interior of CA&E car 460. (David Sadowski Photo)
Volunteer Brian J. Patterson tells us what it’s all about. (David Sadowski Photo)
CA&E 409 at the 50th Avenue “L” station. (David Sadowski Photo)
In this picture, you can clearly see the difference between CA&E curved-sided car 460 and the 431. (David Sadowski Photo)
CA&E 460 has reversible seats, but they rotate rather than folding over. (Diana Koester Photo)
CA&E 460 has overhead lighting just like a PCC car, which is not surprising, since they are contemporaries. (Diana Koester Photo)
The interior of CA&E 460. MCERA Richard Carlson is shown standing. (Diana Koester Photo)
CNS&M 749. (David Sadowski Photo)
CSL 3142 is on the Trolley Loop, while a two-car train of North Shore Line cars is berthed at the 50th Avenue station. (David Sadowski Photo)
Chicago Rapid Transit car 1024 is undergoing restoration, going back to its original number 24. (David Sadowski Photo)
Newly restored C&WT 141. (David Sadowski Photo)
At the helm of the C&WT 141. (Diana Koester Photo)
The interior of C&WT car 141. In Winter, the coal-fired stove provided heat. (David Sadowski Photo)
Chicago & West Towns 141, a recent addition to the active roster. (David Sadowski Photo)
CSL 144 on the Trolley Loop. (David Sadowski Photo)
CSL 144 is one of the “crown jewels” of IRM’s collection. (David Sadowski Photo)
Chicago Red Pullman car 144, a mainstay of the Illinois Railway Museum for decades. (David Sadowski Photo)
Frank Hicks at the controls of 144. (David Sadowski Photo)
CTA 4391 on the Trolley Loop. (David Sadowski Photo)
A two-car train of Chicago Transit Authority single car units follows the CA&E steels. (David Sadowski Photo)
CTA 30 looking resplendent. (David Sadowski Photo)
The air conditioning in CTA 2153-2154 apparently was not working that day. (David Sadowski Photo)
CTA 2243-2244, new additions to the IRM roster. (David Sadowski Photo)
CTA 2243-2244, now fitted with trolley poles, approaching Olson Road. (David Sadowski Photo)
Steam is alive and well at IRM, in the form of the “Frisco” 1630. (David Sadowski Photo)
The IC pair came out, but there was an equipment problem, so nobody got to ride. (David Sadowski Photo)
Another view of the 1920s Illinois Central suburban cars. (David Sadowski Photo)
The South Shore Line two-car train, headed up by car 34. (David Sadowski Photo)
The 2014 Trolley Pageant was a rare opportunity to ride equipment such as the CSS&SB line car 1100. (David Sadowski Photo)
According to Don’s Rail Photos, “1100 is the ultimate line car. It was built by St. Louis Car in 1926 as combine 376 for the Indiana Service Corp. It became Indiana RR 376 in 1930 and was rebuilt with an RPO compartment in 1935. After abandonment of the IRR, this car, along with 375 and 377 came to the South Shore. The other 2 cars were built into baggage trailers, but the 376 waited until 1947 to be rebuilt into the 1100.” (David Sadowski Photo)
North Shore Line merchandise dispatch car 229 was built by Cincinnati Car Co. in 1922. (David Sadowski Photo)
CNS&M 229, with the CTA 2200s at the rear. (David Sadowski Photo)
The famous North Shore Line logo on car 229. (David Sadowski Photo)
Here is the Illinois Terminal suburban car 101. It broke down west of Olson Road, and had to be towed back by the CNS&M 229. (Eric Bronsky Photo)
Categories: Chicago Area, Interurbans, Preservation
CERA Members Blog 
Once again a great story and informative photos. A question here, I do not see headlights on some of the cars. I understand that some cars would never be head end and would not need them, but in looking at various photos even going back to when these cars were in service, headlights seem to be optional. Any ideas here?
In the early 1900s, they generally used a detachable headlight, that could be used on either end of the car.
In one of our previous posts, there is a picture of a motorman at the Fox River Trolley Museum moving the headlight on AE&FR car 304 as it changes ends:
http://cerablog.com/2013/09/24/highlights-from-cera75-part-1/