By Railfan & Railroad Staff

The Illinois Railway Museum took delivery in early January of two ex-Chicago & North Western bi-level coaches that at one time operated in and out of Chicago. The acquisition gives the museum in Union, Ill., a fleet of six C&NW commuter cars representing all of the major types of bi-levels the railroad once owned. 

Both cars were built by Pullman-Standard. The older of the two is Metra 7716, built in 1960 as C&NW 65, while the newer car is Metra 7734, built in 1961 as C&NW 83. The two cars were purchased from the Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad in Ohio. Both cars are in great condition and just need paint. The IRM’s C&NW bi-level collection now features examples of all the major sub-types of C&NW bi-levels, including two cars from the railroad’s group of 1955-vintage St. Louis Car Company bi-levels, one car from the 1956 group of “six-window” Pullman-built bi-level coaches, the first of the 1960-vintage Pullman-built cab cars, and now two of the post-1960 type of “four-window” Pullman-built bi-level coaches.

The cars arrived in Union on January 10, and will now be repainted into C&NW green and yellow to join the other cars, which are frequently led by F7A 411.