Interurban Cars
Fort Wayne & Wabash Valley 504
Description: | Single-end railroad-roof wood buffet-observation |
Equipment Information
Fort Wayne & Wabash Valley 504, named the “Talisman,” was one of the most opulent interurban cars ever built when constructed in 1906. The single-ended car included a baggage compartment, coach seating, buffet for serving snacks and light meals, a parlor seating area, and huge curved-glass solarium windows at the rear of the car. It operated between Fort Wayne and Lafayette for years, later being converted to all coach seating. It was retired in 1932 and its body made into a house; rescued by IRM in 1993, its exterior has been completely restored to its appearance when new.
FUN FACT: The Fort Wayne & Wabash Valley’s parlor cars were all named after novels by Sir Walter Scott. When purchasing the body of car 504, it was at first thought to be the “Woodstock” and was only later found to have been named the “Talisman.” Other interurban cars in this series were named “Ivanhoe” and “Kenilworth.”
COMPARE ME TO: Chicago Aurora & Elgin 308, an interurban coach also built in 1906. The CA&E car was designed for shorter-distance service and is much more utilitarian than FW&WV 504.
Builder: Cincinnati Car Company
Year Built: 1906
Seats: 48
Length: 61ft 6in
Width: 8ft 11in
Height: 13ft 2in
Weight: 83,000 lbs
Brakes: None
Motors: None
Control: AB-WH11
Compressor: D2-EG
Trucks: MCB
Description: Single End / Double Truck / Railroad Roof / Wood Coach / Parlor
Arrived: 1993
Condition: Incomplete / cosmetically restored / not operational
Ownership history
1906-1920 – Fort Wayne & Wabash Valley #504 “Talisman”
1920-1930 – Indiana Service Corporation #354
1930-1932 – Indiana Railroad #354
1932-1993 – Privately owned (house), Mongo, IN
1993-present – Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL
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