Equipment Information

Chicago Surface Lines X4 is a self-propelled street railway derrick, or crane, car. It was built in the CSL shops in 1946 using the frame of a disused motorized dump car. It was used on the streetcar system for transporting and lifting lengths of rail and other heavy items.

COMPARE ME WITH: Milwaukee Electric D16, another electric railway crane. Though of similar overall design, D16 is of much heavier construction and was able to lift much heavier objects than X4.

Builder: Chicago Surface Lines
Year Built: 1946
Length: 40ft
Width: 8ft 4in
Height: 11ft 6in
Weight: 51000 lbs
Brakes: Straight Air
Motors: 4 GE 80A
Control: K35G
Compressor: CP-27
Trucks: Arch Bar
Description: Single End / Double Truck / Cab/Flat Crane
Arrived: 1968
Condition: Complete / unrestored / not operational

Photo gallery

Ownership History
1946-1947 – Chicago Surface Lines
1947-1958 – Chicago Transit Authority
1958-1963 – Chicago Transit Authority #S344
1963-1968 – Electric Railway Historical Society, Downers Grove, IL
1968-present – Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL

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