Please excuse this post about a scale model versus the 12" to the foot version. I think there is some redeeming value, and perhaps a link to preservation in this subject. I have no financial interest in this, either.

It had been proposed by Con-Cor to build an HO scale Electroliner, which would have been offered built and painted at a reasonable price. Having this model out there would be a great way to get more young individuals interested in this particular bit of rail history, with the North Shore Line gone (and virtually all interurbans for that matter) for some 40 years now.

Problem is, too few people have made it known they would order one of these models. Word is that we have until the end of March before the builder pulls the plug on the project. Maybe a few more interested people can make this work out. I have a link to the website at the bottom, with the text as follows:
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Delivery : Best Estimate Mid - 2003

Note: Early orders for these items are below our expectations, so we have delayed the project hoping more Pre-orders will be received. We will not proceed with an expensive project such as this without having enough advance Pre-orders to insure at least a Break-even on the cost vrs. revenue on the project.

Price: $389.98 (for complete 4 car train)

Note: We also have to apologize as when our engineer estimated the costs of this project, he got the estimated tooling correct, but since the train is basicly symetrical (2 cars + 2 cars) he calcualted the cost of a 2 car unit, and forgot to double the cost for the full 4 car consist. Therefore we have had to increase the Retail price of this item to account for the full 4 car train.

We understand this is a mistake we made and appologize for it.

We also have been repeatedly asked why we chose this item to model. The answer is quite simple, our owner Jim Conway, grew up in Chicago, but his mother was from Kenosha Wisconsin and the family used to take the North Shore to Kenosha all the time to visit relatives when Jim was a youngster. So The North Shore Electroliners are a bit of nostalia for Mr. Conway.

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America's First 'All electric luxury trains' proclaimed the ads announcing the first run of the 'Electroliners' on Feb 9th,1941.

The design of the 'Electroliners' was influenced by the competition on the Chicago and Milwaukee run of the C&NW's 400 trains and the Milwaukee Hiawatha trains. Also influencing the design was the fact that the 'Electroliners' had to circumnavigate the 'EL' tracks about the Chicago Loop and run down the middle of city streets as it entered Milwaukee.

Con-Cor's model will feature a flywheel drive, reversing lights and have a pc board installed to make conversion to DCC a snap.

*Note on Colors*

The Turquoise and Salmon colors used on the Electroliner in the photo may not be fully accurate. Final models will have a prototypically correct color scheme matching the restored Electroliner on display at the Illinois Railroad Museum.

Note From Jim Conway, Update on the "HO" ElectroLiner Project:

Since our 2002 catalog has been out, we have received more Email and correspondence on the ElectroLiners that any other new items.

While the modeler response has been terrific, the dealer response has been luke warm...from talking to dealers we find their is not a lack of interest in this model,but a lack of knowledge. Most dealers don't know the amount of interest in the North Shore Line, as well as the fact these units were also used in Surburban Philladelphia in the 1960's and early 1970 (Known then as the Liberty Liners on the Red Arrow Line).

So even Pennsy and other East Coast railroad line modelers should have some interest in them.

Also, about the time the ElectroLiners were introduced other Class One Railroads were experimenting with Streamline trains and the Undecorated ElectroLiners would make a perfect canidate for use as a Streamliner on other roads such as the Illinois Central, etc.

So we hope you folks will help educate the dealers on this project,and get your orders placed.

Note: We are in need of some photos of the train as in Service as the Liberty Liners, color photos especially of the paint scheme,as well as changes made to the roof (Line poles were removed), please only send us duplicate materials as we can not return what you send to us.

To answer some of the Email questions we got.

Q) Is this a brass model?

A) No,this is 100% new tooling,highly detailed plastic model. Someone has been out behind the barn smoking something if they expect a brass model for this price!

Q) Rumor has it this will have an Athearn drive. does it?

A) Don't you love rumors? No, this is all new tooling, has nothing to do with Athearn. It will have a flywheel drive with factory installed PC board,ready for DCC installation if you wish.

Q) Will it be set up for overhead pickup?

A) No,but it will be realatively easy to convert if you wish to do so.

Q) Are you going to do this in N scale?

A) We will have to wait and see how the HO model sells, N Scale sales are only about 20% of HO (since there are only about 20% as many N modelers as HO modelers). But the price of the design work and making all the moulds are about the same for HO or N..as the expense is in the labor or man hours, not materials.

Q) I asked my dealer and he doesn't know anything about this item?

A) We mailed catalogs to almost 2,000 dealers in the USA, so they should have gotton the information in late Nov. If you send us the name of your dealer we will be happy to send him another copy of the catalog. We understand a lot of dealer's don't carry "traction" items, but we do not consider this a "traction" item as similar trains were used by Class 1 roads...if your dealer does not want to reserve one for you, you may order direct.

Q) Is this going to be Limited Run?

A)Assuming we get enough orders, we plan only one production run 2002, re-runs if any will depend on future demands...if you want one, we suggest you do not procrastinate on getting it (them) on order thru your dealer or directly from us.

Q) If I order one directly you do immediately charge my credit card?

A) No, we only charge your credit card when the model is ready to be shipped to you.

Q) Are you going to do the Liberty Liner version?

A) It is certainly possible if we get enough interest in the basic version, but we will not be able to re-tool for a 100% accurate Liberty Liner version with new doors , trucks etc.etc..so a Liberty Liner version would have the roof changed to reflect the lack of overhead pickups and of course an accurate paint scheme.



CON - COR ELECTROLINER WEBSITE

The latest Railroad Model Craftsman has an ad for this model from a Chicagoland hobby shop.

Electric City Trolley Museum Association