Equipment Information

Chicago & Milwaukee Electric 354 is the last surviving streetcar operated by the North Shore Line. The North Shore was known primarily as an interurban, or inter-city, railway, but it also operated local streetcar service in Milwaukee, WI, and Waukegan, IL. Car 354 operated in Milwaukee until about 1942, when it was transferred to Waukegan. While in Waukegan, it acquired “Caution – Keep Clear on Curves” signs because cars of this type were so long, they would swing out into traffic on tight curves. In 1947 it was moved back to Milwaukee, where it ran until it was retired in 1951. The car was acquired by the Illinois Railway Museum in 1964 and restored to operating condition by museum volunteers.

Chicago & Milwaukee Electric 354 Details

Builder: St. Louis Car Company
Year Built: 1928
Seats: 56
Length: 51ft
Width: 8ft 4in
Height: 11ft 6in
Weight: 46000 lbs
Brakes: SME
Motors: 4 GE 265J4
Control: K35KK
Compressor: DH-16
Trucks: StL 64EIB
Description: Double End / Double Truck / Arch Roof / Safety
Arrived: 1958
Condition: Complete / restored / operational

Photo gallery

C&ME 354 Ownership History

1928-1946 – Chicago & Milwaukee Electric
1946-1951 – Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee
1951-1958 – Chicago Hardware Foundry, North Chicago, IL
1958-present – Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL

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