Northwestern Elevated Railroad 24 is the oldest operating Chicago ‘L’ car and the oldest preserved ‘L’ car at IRM. Car 24 is a “gate car,” built with open platforms with gates rather than enclosed ends with doors. It also has longitudinal seating, known as a “bowling alley” arrangement. It was

Illinois Central 1198 is the only preserved motor car from the original electrification of the Illinois Central commuter line, today known as Metra Electric. When new, it replaced aged steam locomotives on the suburban line south of Chicago and was always coupled to an unpowered trailer car to create a

Illinois Central 1380 is an unpowered trailer and part of the only preserved motor-trailer set from the original electrification of the Illinois Central commuter line, today known as Metra Electric. When new, it replaced aged steam locomotives on the suburban line south of Chicago and was always coupled to self-propelled

Chicago Transit Authority 2153 is an aluminum-bodied ‘L’ car that was among the first of the so-called “high performance” cars that were built for the CTA between the 1960s and 1990s. This type, known as 2000s, were the first air-conditioned ‘L’ cars in Chicago and were fitted with distinctively formed

Chicago Transit Authority 2154 is an aluminum-bodied ‘L’ car that was among the first of the so-called “high performance” cars that were built for the CTA between the 1960s and 1990s. This type, known as 2000s, were the first air-conditioned ‘L’ cars in Chicago and were fitted with distinctively formed

Chicago Rapid Transit 2872 is a wood-bodied ‘L’ car built for the Metropolitan-West Side Elevated, a predecessor to CRT. It is one of only two cars from the “Met” preserved and is an example of the most modern cars that the MWSE operated. FUN FACT: This car would have carried