A Short Ride on the Electroliner

In 2023, Illinois Railway Museum celebrated their 70th Anniversary by hosting several special events. On Saturday July 1, the Museum featured "70 for 70," an hours-long trolley pageant which involved the participation of some 70 electric cars, most under their own propulsion.
Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee 801-802, one of two articulated "Electroliner" trains built by St. Louis Car Co. and delivered to the railroad in 1941, raced between downtown Chicago and downtown Milwaukee until 1963. A 'crown jewel' among IRM's collection, it has been undergoing extensive restoration. Although it's still far from ready to carry passengers, visitors were delighted to see this train perform under its own power in the pageant.
In this video, you'll ride in the railfan seat! Watch Museum volunteer Zach Ehlers operate the train and also hear his radio communications. Departing 50th Street, the Liner eases around the west leg of the wye and then across Olson Road, where it changes ends. While awaiting the Liner's turn in the parade, a five-car train of older North Shore cars poses alongside. Finally comes the triumphant roll past the East Union Depot. The gleaming streamliner received as much adulation as a Hollywood star. Watch the expressions of awe on the faces of the many visitors positioned along the route!
Due to delays, heavy traffic, and the fact that the Liner was running on only 4 of its 8 motors, it did not operate on the mainline. Upon clearing the depot, the Liner reversed into the east leg of the wye and gradually switched back to 50th Street.
It was a privilege to ride with the Electroliner crew on this very special occasion. My previous ride on 801-802 at IRM took place more than thirty years ago and it may be a few more years before she is ready to carry passengers once again. I hope this glimpse behind the scenes will offer both inspiration and insight into the Museum's operations.

[@madame-rosalitaduchesse7636]

This electroliner would be for me reason visit the usa.

[@billlee2947]

Thanks for a great ride, Electropickle! It has been over sixty-five years since I rode with a friend to Milwaukee and back. Oh yes, Electroburgers were enjoyed! The Electroliner looks great!

[@FrogandFlangeVideo]

Very very cool intro graphics !! Just loved it ! Thanks for the neat ride. James.

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

Sadly I was on vacation with family that day, otherwise I would have rode. Awesome video!

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

The electroliner was basically bankrupted because of Mayor Daley's refusal to let it coming to Chicago proper people had to get off and get on a bus because of that bastard not watching Republicans you to his Democratic. Of course this was the age before liberalism and worshipping the residence of the ghetto which way is it nice neighborhood when certain other people used to live there but not anymore but no one talks about that Tuesday o-east for Bolton

[@AZqyc]

Oh, my!! How nice to go along for the ride ... again! I grew up in Racine and one house was about a block away from the North Shore Line ... really liked watching the trains go by, and of course, going to Milwaukee and Chicago on one. Thanks for posting!! [Greetings from Tucson where we do have 8 Amtrak trains/week.]

[@mattnawn5019]

My compliments to IRM! 801-802 looks fantastic and everyone who has been involved in the restoration of this train has justified reasons to be proud. Having been involved with the troubleshooting, repair parts sourcing, and repair work to make sister train 803-804 operable (in a very limited fashion) a decade ago, I can really appreciate how much work it must have taken for IRM’s team to get this far. Well done!

[@Electropickle]

Thank you, Matt, I have shared your comments with the Electroliner restoration team.

[@albertcarello619]

I sure wish they could get 803-804 too! And restore that train as well.

[@albertcarello619]

803-804 are still at The Rock Hill Furnace Museum at Orbisonia PA.

[@albertcarello619]

@mattnawn5019: I sure wish we also had Electroliner #803,804 at the ILLINOIS Railroad Museum. It took can be refurbished further.

[@albertcarello619]

The SOUTH SHORE LINE didn't have the traffic between South Bend and Chicago like the North Shore Line did between Milwaukee and Chicago. That's why they never had any Electroliner Trainsets.

[@johnrich2102]

Wasn't the Electroliner's bell (or gong if you prefer) air operated originally?

[@albertcarello619]

@johnrich2102: I think it was. It sounded similar to what you hear the bells on crossing gates only louder. Actually there's 2 floor pedals for the gong on the Electroliner one for just the single bell sound and the other for the air or what I call the Alarm-gong sounding what I just described before. You would hear the gongs when running in Milwaukee's City Streets and when entering and leaving the Main Milwaukee Terminal since it encountered street running to do so.