Equipment Information

Chicago Aurora & Elgin 321 is a heavyweight wooden interurban coach designed for high-speed service between Chicago and the Fox River Valley. It was the last wooden car built new for the CA&E, and in fact when built it was already outdated because other companies had switched over to steel construction.

COMPARE ME TO: Michigan Electric 28, an interurban car preserved at IRM that was built in 1913. Although car 28 is a year older than CA&E 321, it is a far more modern car, with all-steel construction and an arched roof.

Builder: Jewett Car Company
Year Built: 1914
Seats: 52
Length: 54ft
Width: 8ft 7in
Height: 13ft
Weight: 100000 lbs
Brakes: AMM
Motors: 4 GE 254A
Control: M-C6K
Compressor: D3-F
Trucks: Bald 84-35AA
Description: Double End / Double Truck / Railroad Roof / Wood Coach
Arrived: 1962
Condition: Incomplete / unrestored / not operational

Photo gallery

Ownership History
1914-1922 – Aurora Elgin & Chicago #321
1922-1962 – Chicago Aurora & Elgin #321
1962-present – Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL

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