Rapid Transit Cars
Northwestern Elevated 24
| Description: | Railroad-roof wood gate car |
Equipment Information
Northwestern Elevated Railroad 24 is the oldest operating Chicago ‘L’ car and the oldest preserved ‘L’ car at IRM. It is a “gate car,” built with open platforms with gates rather than enclosed ends with doors. It also has longitudinal seating, known as a “bowling alley” arrangement. It was one of the original cars built for the NWERR when that company, a predecessor of Chicago Rapid Transit, first constructed the North Side Main Line elevated (now the north end of the Red Line).
Builder: Pullman
Year Built: 1898
Seats: 42
Length: 46ft 1in
Width: 8ft 8in
Height: 12ft 7in
Weight: 65000 lbs
Brakes: AMR
Motors: 2 GE 55
Control: M-C36
Compressor: D3-EG
Trucks: McGuire / Hedley
Description: Double End / Double Truck / Railroad Roof / Wood / ex-Chicago Rapid Transit 1024
Arrived: 1958
Condition: Complete / restored / operational
Ownership History
1898-1913 – Northwestern Elevated Railroad #24
1913-1924 – Chicago Elevated Railway #1024
1924-1947 – Chicago Rapid Transit #1024
1947-1954 – Chicago Transit Authority #1024
1954-1958 – Chicago Transit Authority #S111
1958-present – Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL