Equipment Information

CCRy 209 is a replica of a Chicago cable trailer. It was built during the Great Depression using metal components from an original car. Cable cars are closely associated today with San Francisco but in 1900 Chicago actually had the largest network of cable car lines in the country. “Grip cars,” which gripped the moving cable beneath the street, were used to haul one or more trailers like this one that helped increase their passenger capacity. The last Chicago cable car line was replaced by electric streetcars in 1906.

Chicago City Railway 209 Details

Builder: Chicago Surface Lines
Year Built: 1930
Seats: 30
Length: 31ft
Width: 8ft 1in
Height: 10ft 10in
Weight: ??? lbs
Brakes: Hand
Trucks: Pedestal
Description: Double End / Double Truck / Deck Roof / Trailer
Arrived: 1985
Condition: Complete / unrestored / not operational

CCR 209 Ownership History

1930-1947 – Chicago Surface Lines
1947-1985 – Chicago Transit Authority
1985-present – Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL