Chicago Rapid Transit Company #4420
Type: Rapid Transit Car
Built - 1924, Cincinnati Car Co. Seats - 52 Length – 48’ 6” Width – 8’ 11” Height – 13’ 3” Weight – 76,800 lbs. |
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The Chicago “L” (short for “elevated”) rapid transit system has been extremely influential in the shaping and expansion of the Chicago area. Tracks were first laid down in late 1892 by the Chicago and South Side Elevated Railroad. In following years, the line was electrified and competing companies opened up across the city, interchanging passengers on a downtown elevated loop of track they all had rights to use. Wooden interurban and rapid transit cars would circle the loop before heading back on their own trackage. Today, the loop still exists, carrying thousands of passengers every day around the downtown, which is even known as “the Loop.”
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In the early 1920s, Samuel Insull, an electric utilities entrepreneur of the time, officially consolidated the four different “L” companies into one, forming his privately-owned Chicago Rapid Transit Company (CRT). Needing to improve service and operate faster trains, Insull ordered several hundred brand-new 4000-series cars from the Cincinnati Car Company.
The 4000-series cars have interesting interiors with old-time light fixtures, walkover leatherette seats and "bowling alley" seating at the ends. They help demonstrate both the interiors typical of the height of the interurban era, and the exterior of the coming state-of-the-art steel cars. Being high-level-loading cars, they have no steps and must load at either of the railroad’s two high-level platforms (At East Troy and the Elegant Farmer) or at a special movable stairset. They feature early automatic acceleration technology, with controller points for switching, series, parallel, and field shunt, without the resistance points of the older cars, a precursor of the PCC control scheme to come in the Thirties. |
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The 4000s served the CRT (which became the government-operated Chicago Transit Authority in 1947) well, operating across the various elevated lines for almost 50 years in passenger service. During World War II, the first subway through the central city was completed. The 4000s, being the only steel rapid transit cars operating on the “L” at the time, were assigned to all runs through the two subway lines. Being equipped with trolley poles, the cars were also often used on outlying “L” lines and were even leased to connecting electric interurban rail lines. In the 1950s, more modern steel cars were bought, and air conditioning would first arrive on cars ordered in 1964. The wooden cars were all retired, and the 4000s were quickly becoming outdated with the swift advances in technology.
In 1973, the last of the 4000s were retired from passenger service, with a few staying in maintenance service for a few years afterwards. Car 4420 was officially removed from the CTA fleet in 1975, soon after becoming part of the Wisconsin Trolley Museum collection. In 1985, the museum became part of the East Troy Railroad Museum and restored Car 4420 to its as-delivered condition. Today, the car regularly operates with two other restored 4000s (4439 and 4453) on the last interurban trackage in the state of Wisconsin: the six miles between East Troy and Mukwonago.
In 1973, the last of the 4000s were retired from passenger service, with a few staying in maintenance service for a few years afterwards. Car 4420 was officially removed from the CTA fleet in 1975, soon after becoming part of the Wisconsin Trolley Museum collection. In 1985, the museum became part of the East Troy Railroad Museum and restored Car 4420 to its as-delivered condition. Today, the car regularly operates with two other restored 4000s (4439 and 4453) on the last interurban trackage in the state of Wisconsin: the six miles between East Troy and Mukwonago.
Car 4420 Ownership History:
Chicago Rapid Transit Company #4420 - 1924-1947
Chicago Transit Authority #4420 - 1947-1975
Wisconsin Trolley Museum - 1975-1985
East Troy Electric Railroad - 1985-Present
Chicago Rapid Transit Company #4420 - 1924-1947
Chicago Transit Authority #4420 - 1947-1975
Wisconsin Trolley Museum - 1975-1985
East Troy Electric Railroad - 1985-Present
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