Equipment Information

Chicago & North Western 258140 is a standard railroad flat car that was built for the C&NW for general freight service. It was originally numbered 47409 but was rebuilt in 1973 for maintenance-of-way use. Initially it was used to carry a “Univan,” similar to a mobile home placed atop a railroad flat car and used as boarding for crews working on the railroad. Later, it was converted for use as an “idler” for C&NW crane 262051. Flat cars used for this purpose were known as “idlers” because they didn’t carry anything but simply “sat idle.” The idler’s purpose is to provide a buffer underneath the boom so that the crane could be hauled from either direction.

Chicago & North Western 258140 Details

Builder: American Car & Foundry
Year Built: 1930
Brakes: AB
Trucks: ASF Ride Control
Description: Idler Flat for 262051
Arrived: 2011
Condition: Complete / unrestored / operational

Ownership History

1930-1973 – Chicago & North Western 47409
1973-1995 – Chicago & North Western 258140
1995-2011 – Union Pacific 258140
2011-present – Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL

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