The W.T. Van Dorn Collection

The W.T. Van Dorn Collection

Original photographs and documents from the W.T. Van Dorn Manufacturing Company of Chicago that were donated to IRM by Larry Larson. These items were located for many years in the attic of a manufacturing building in rural McHenry County that was acquired by a company owned by Mr. Larson. How they came to be in the attic of that building is entirely unknown.

Photos and images in this collection are the property of the Illinois Railway Museum and may not be copied or reprinted without permission.

The Van Dorn Coupler Company - Link and Pin Couplers

Early coupler designs manufactured by Van Dorn

The Van Dorn Coupler Company - MCB Couplers

MCB style couplers manufactured by Van Dorn

The Van Dorn Coupler Company - Tight-Lock Couplers

Later tight-lock couplers manufactured by Van Dorn

Van Dorn Coupler Catalog 
Marketing catalog of tight-lock, MCB, and link-and-pin couplers

The Van Dorn Target End
Steel boxcar ends manufactured by Van Dorn

The Van Dorn Girder Plate Company, Inc 
Sales/marketing materials concerning reefer floors and car ends

William T. Van Dorn 
Biographical information on the owner of the company and inventor of the Van Dorn coupler

Freight Car Photographs from the Van Dorn Collection 
Early-20th century photographs of freight cars from the Van Dorn files