Car 553

Car 553 is a privately owned railroad passenger car. It operates exclusively on Metra's Union Pacific North Line in Northeastern Illinois, and is the only privately-owned membership-based commuter rail car operating in the United States.[1]

Car 553 in Lake Bluff, Illinois on August 20, 2012 in its previous paint scheme.
553
Car 553 leaving Ravinia station in Highland Park, Illinois on June 29, 2018, in its original C&NW paint scheme.
ManufacturerAmerican Car and Foundry Company
Constructed1949
Refurbished1961
Specifications
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

History

Private commuter car service originally began on the Chicago and North Western Railway in 1929 to serve wealthy commuters in the affluent North Shore suburbs of Chicago. The first private car was C&NW 6700 and was named "The Deerpath".[2][3]

Car 553 was originally built for the Chicago and North Western Railway in 1949 by the American Car and Foundry Company as car 7901.[4] It was originally used as a lounge and barbershop car on City of Los Angeles, a long distance train service between Chicago and Los Angeles.[5] In 1961, car 7901 was rebuilt for commuter service and renumbered 553.[4] On November 30, 1975, the car was acquired by Commuter Associates Inc. and continued to see service on the C&NW, operated by the commuter rail branch of the Regional Transportation Authority (which was reorganized into Metra in 1984).[1] In the 1990s, the first female members purchased seats on the car.[2] Car 553 still wore the brown and white color scheme of the pre-Metra Regional Transportation Authority's passenger equipment until late 2017 when it was restored to its original C&NW yellow and green colors and lettering.[1]

Metra service

As of 2021, Car 553 operates twice daily on the Union Pacific North Line between Chicago and Kenosha, Wisconsin. The car is operated as part of an agreement between club members and the Union Pacific Railroad (which operates Metra trains on the UP North Line).[1] While in the past, membership was exclusive to wealthy "North Shore" families, it has since become open to anyone.[2] The membership price varies on the boarding station, but it ranges from $550 to $850 per calendar quarter.[1] The car arrives at Ogilvie Transportation Center around 8:00 am, and departs for Kenosha shortly after 5:30 pm.[4]

References
  1. Sweet, David (2019-02-01). "Members Only". Forest Bluff Magazine. Archived from the original on 2021-09-20. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
  2. Wronski, Richard (2009-07-20). "Public Transit's Private Club". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 2018-09-13. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
  3. "Lake Forest's Rich to Ride to Loop De Luxe". Chicago Tribune. 1929-03-31.
  4. "How it Works". Car 553. Archived from the original on 2018-10-09. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
  5. Carpenter, John (1996-04-01). "Commuters Put Comfort First - Private Rail Car Runs on Tradition". Chicago Sun-Times.
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