Equipment Information

North Shore Line 213 is an electric freight motor that was built to carry small freight shipments (known as LCL, or Less-than-Car-Load, freight) between Chicago and Milwaukee. In 1938, it was rebuilt with a “harrow plow” – similar to an agricultural harrow – and used in the winter to break up snow and ice on the tracks. It was retired in 1955 and acquired by the museum in 1964. Today it is the oldest North Shore Line freight motor (or “Merchandise Despatch car” as the North Shore called them), and the only North Shore freight motor with its baggage doors at the corners instead of the middle, in existence.

Builder: Cincinnati Car Company
Year Built: 1919
Length: 50ft
Width: 9ft
Height: 12ft 4in
Weight: 74500 lbs
Brakes: AMU
Motors: 2 WH 557R5
Control: HLF-28A3
Compressor: DH-25
Trucks: Baldwin 78-35AA
Description: Double End / Double Truck / Wood Box
Arrived: 1962
Condition: Incomplete / unrestored / not operational

Photo gallery

Ownership History
1919-1955 – Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee #213
1955-1962 – Chicago Hardware Foundry #242
1962-present – Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL

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