Simms Collection - Chicago Surface Lines

Caption information in standard text is from the backs of the prints; information in italics has been added.

Car 299, 88th & Vincennes, April 21, 1946 - John Humiston Photo. Ex-Chicago & Interurban Traction car barn at right; car is a "Big Pullman" built in 1908

Car 812, a "Small Pullman" built in 1910, signed for 51st & Indiana

Car 1743, September 8, 1946 - a 169-series car built at West Shops in 1923, on Through Route 1 Cottage Grove-Broadway

Car 2803, 74th & Ashland - built by St. Louis in 1901, ex-Calumet & South Chicago 703, on 75th Street

Car 3125, a 169-series car built by Brill in 1923, on State Street

Car 3130, a 169-series car built by Brill in 1923, likely on Stony Island Avenue

Car 3262, built by Brill in 1926, signed for TR 28 Stony Island

Car 5026, October 2, 1935 - a "Little Brill" built in 1905, signed for Archer & Cicero

Car 5245, 88th & Vincennes, April 21, 1946 - John Humiston Photo. Ex-Chicago & Interurban Traction car barn at left; car is a "Big Brill" built in 1906

Car 5586, October 2, 1935 - a "Big Brill" built in 1908, signed for Halsted

Car 6145, September 8, 1946 - an "Odd Seventeen" car built at West Shops in 1919, pictured at North Avenue?

Car 6301, September 8, 1946 - a "Sedan" built by Brill in 1929, signed for TR 22 Clark-Wentworth

Car 9001, a trailer built at West Shops in 1921

Click here to return to the Simms Collection index page

M35 Progress Report

We'd like to thank our intrepid investigative reporter, Gregg Wolfersheim, who has sent along the latest update of work on the Union Pacific doodlebug, M35.

The threshold plate is back on the car.

On the ends of the buffer springs, some welding was required. The two bolts now have something to hold onto. The actual buffer plate will cover the springs and be retained by the bolts. Also, the coupler was reworked. It now opens and closes for the first time in 40 years!

Here is the buffer plate shown upside down. Some welding of the eyes was needed. The bolts in the previous photo will go through them. The bend on the end is about to be straightened out.

Inside the vestibule, some needle chipping and wire wheeling has cleaned up the door jam. Primer follows before it has a chance to rust.

Some of the door dash is also being reworked. One is in primer.

This is the rear door after cleanup and primer.

Jack doesn't mind needle chipping.

The buffer was finally attached after 40+ years.

One of the vestibule ceiling panels is shown refinished with the primer still drying. The hole is where the recessed light goes.

Simms Collection - Indiana Streetcars, 1940

This category includes examples from several Indiana city systems, with nearly all of the photos dating to 1939-1940.

FORT WAYNE STREET RAILWAY

Car 500 northbound at Spy Run Ave & Lawton Ave, May 19, 1940 [ed.: house is still there]

Car 530 northbound on Spy Run Ave at Baltes Ave, May 19, 1940

Car 543 on Spy Run Ave bridge

Car in front of the traction terminal, May 19, 1940

GARY RAILWAYS

Car 1

Car 1 at the end of the line in Valparaiso during the last month of service

Car 3 [ed.: car 19 is on the right, so this might be the March 19, 1939, fan trip]

Car 9 at Oakley & Sibley in Hammond, June 8, 1940

Car 9 at Oakley & Sibley in Hammond, June 8, 1940

Car 9 eastbound at Oakley & Sibley in Hammond, June 8, 1940

Car 16 at North Broadway Loop

Car 18 at Sibley St and the NKP, June 8, 1940

Car 19 on its CERA fan trip, March 19, 1939

Car 19 on the March 19, 1939, fan trip, likely on Broadway

Car 19 on the March 19, 1939, fan trip at the city limits

Car 51

Gary & Interurban 101, Broadway in Gary, 1909

Gary & Valparaiso 1 (later Gary Railways 1) at Kuhlman in 1924

HAMMOND WHITING & EAST CHICAGO

Work car 7 in Hammond, June 8, 1940

Car 70, 62nd & South Park at the back of the station, May 26, 1940

Car 74 in front of the Hammond shops, June 8, 1940

Car 74, Hohman & Indiana Avenue in Hammond, June 8, 1940

Car 74, Hohman Ave shops in Hammond, June 8, 1940

Car 74, Hohman south of the South Shore Line in Hammond, June 8, 1940

Chicago Surface Lines 6207 on Hohman in Hammond, June 8, 1940

Chicago Surface Lines 6207 on Hohman in Hammond, June 8, 1940

INDIANAPOLIS RAILWAYS

Car 144, end of the College-Broad Ripple line, September 15, 1940

Indianapolis car with trolley bus following

SOUTH BEND

Car 216 at Madison & Walsh, May 30, 1940

Click here to return to the Simms Collection index page