Here's an odd one. I should have asked this a month ago, my how time flies.

While driving to Minnesota for a charter with the Milwaukee 261, I had the (non) pleasure of spending several hours in traffic on I 90, though I did have a decent view of a steady stream of Metra trains to pass the time.

On one northbound Metra train I saw a single level 40's or 50's era lightweight coach spliced in between the F40's and bilevels.

It didn't look like a "private car" per say. It was somewhat dirty and looked a little worse for wear. The tan/gray paint scheme didn't improve its appearance any either. It had an antennae running the length of the roof, so maybe it was a lounge car?

I didn't think Metra was in the business of moving privately owned cars or that they had any kind of "commuter club" service, so I'm baffled. Anyone know what I saw?

"Commuter club" is about the right name for it; what you saw was a privately-owned car that runs up the C&NW North Line through some of the ritzier Chicago suburbs, tacked onto the head end of a revenue train. I've heard it referred to as the Millionaires' Special. More information here:

http://chicago.railfan.net/cgi/photos.pl/?photo=99901097.jpg&page=METX_553

Interesting. I thought our club in NJ was the last of its kind, though we only have half a coach. I wish there was good news for our last full car, a PRR P-70, but I beleive it is still on the URHS give away list.
Rob

I used to work with a lady whose father 'subscribed' to this privately owned service, perhaps the only 'Rolling Condo' in the U.S. She boarded the train one day in the late 70s and started looking for her father. She entered the car and the entire car fell silent at the presence of a non-member. Sheepishly, she turned around and exited quickly and re-joined the 'Proles' in the bi-levels for the rest of her trip.

It's a very famous legacy operation of Chicago's super-wealthy, and extremely exclusive.

And IMHO, a very cool vestige of another, grander age.