Originally placed in service in mid-1970, the last of these were run by Metra on 2/12/16:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/7547061@N02/24372260853/

Not sure what the numbers were of the six cars that made up this last train, perhaps someone has that info. Of the 130 original cars built by St. Louis Car and the subsequent 26 built by Bombardier, some have been preserved as follows:

6 at Boone & Scenic Valley (1506, 1511, 1523, 1538, 1551 and 1628)

4 at Illinois Railway Museum (numbers not known)

2 at Union Depot Railroad Museum in Mendota, IL (1602 and 1619)

2 at Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, IN (1502 and 1529)

There is some info (not confirmed) that the two Highliners at Mendota have been scrapped. And also a report that some of these cars might have gone down to an operation in Texas (again, not confirmed).

Les

The Highliners in Mendota have indeed been scrapped, or are very far along in that process. I rode the California Zephyr through the area last December and noted that said cars were off the property of the museum proper, and were looking largely gutted on a nearby plot of land, sans trucks.

IRM has St. Louis cars 1534 and 1630, and Bombardier cars 1637 and 1645. The intent is to scrap two for parts in order to have a good supply for the remaining pair.

In Texas, the Museum of the American Railroad has purchased ten Highliners (and they were just delivered several days ago) - here's their news blurb on the project: http://www.museumoftheamericanrailroad.org/Home/News/tabid/61/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/98/Stream-Liner-Rolls-into-Frisco.aspx

David -

Thanks for the info on the Mendota cars and also the acquisition confirmation of 10 Highliners by the Museum of the American Railroad in Texas. Now we just need the numbers of those Texas examples. And also appreciate the numbers of the cars that went to IRM in Union, Illinois.

Les

I've been told that the cars that went to Texas are 1652, 1647, 1548, 1656, 1650, 1552, 1585, 1601, 1661, and 1608. Someone from MARR might be able to confirm.

Frank -

Thanks for these Highliner car numbers. We will assume that these are right, unless we hear from someone with a correction. BTW, my original posting to start this thread stated that their were 26 cars purchased from Bombardier, Inc. That should have read 36 cars. My mistake.

Les

Is there any information about general scrapping? I periodically scour the net for any info but continue to come up empty. I see reports of groups of cars being stored around the system but also movements to points unknown. There was also a report of cars being scrapped not far from the Metra Electric 115 St. station (somewhere just east of there). One would think the fan network would be on top of this with data if not photos. Lack of access might explain the latter but surely someone would know if the bulk of the fleet are still intact or have been scrapped.

Edited to add:

Not that this ultimately matters but did ownership of these cars ever pass to Metra / Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad or are they still technically owned by CSSMTD? The latter was formed in order to enable federal funding to buy the cars. Do they do anything else and will they dissolve when the cars are disposed of?

Well, I found a rather rough video on the internet of a rider on the last run. Unfortunately, they did not take a shot of all six cars but I was able to note numbers of the first four cars on the train. Lead car (and the one with the placards on the outside announcing the last run) was 1587. The next four cars in order were 1520, 1573 and 1526. Hopefully someone recorded the numbers of the last two cars in the consist and if so, we'll post them here for posterity.

Les

I was on the last trip (there were maybe 8-10 IRM folks riding) and the last two cars - facing north - were Bombardier cars (#s 1631 and above). I know at least one of us wrote down a complete list of the car numbers and the next time I see him I'll ask about those last two.

The trip itself was a fairly ordinary late morning trip on the Electric District, aside from some commemorative paperwork being handed out, Metra upper management & directors being on board, as well as fares not being charged.

1587 (lead car carrying banner)
1520
1573
1526
1657
1634

filmteknik -

Thanks for the numbers of the entire consist of this last run.



Les

Recently saw a photo of Highliners 1630 and 1637 running at IRM last September after being converted from 1500 volts to the museums 600 volt system. I was a little surprised that the 1630 was chosen over 1534 for conversion since that could possibly mean having two locomotives numbered 1630 (SLSF 2-10-0 being the other). But perhaps this is not a dispatching problem for the museum.

Les

Shouldn't be a problem, they have different road names. Happens occasionally, that's why you should include the ID along with the number.

Even closer, IRM has CNW 1518 a GP7 and SP 1518 an SD7.

1630 was chosen due to several factors, one of which was it's history, being the very last St louis Car Co car.

Duplicate road #s have been dealt with for many years at IRM,
Shay 5 & Com Ed 5
Nekoosa Paper 14 and Cornwall Street Ry 14

Jeff

Thanks Jeff. I wondered if that might have been one of the reasons. BTW, IRM has the LAST of the St. Louis Car Company cars, while Hoosier Valley has the first one received by the IC, number 1502. For some reason, the 1502 got ahead of the 1501 at the plant and was received first, being used over the old electrified Washington Park branch for various tests as a single unit. So...the first and the last preserved!


Les