EAST TROY, Wis. — A new restoration with Milwaukee ties is underway at the East Troy Railroad Museum. Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee (North Shore Line) interurban car No. 162 was recently moved into the museum’s maintenance facility for the extensive project to begin.
The car was built in 1915 by the J. G. Brill Car Co., in Philadelphia. It spent 48 years commuting passengers between Milwaukee and Chicago at speeds up to 80 mph. No. 162 was retired in 1963 and purchased by the American Museum of Electricity in Schenectady, N.Y.. The eventual collapse of the museum in 1970 sent the car to the Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor, Conn.; it remained there runtil 2022 when it was acquired by East Troy and relocated back to Wisconsin.
The museum said in a press release that the first phase in the restoration had started by stripping the car of all reusable material and removing the torn roof canvas. “Due to the significant rust damage, volunteers have been busy fabricating new upper sash windows and steel side panels,” the release states. “Upcoming challenges will include replacing the end floors, additional metal work, and the painstaking restoration of the electrical equipment and piping.”
Upon completion, car No. 162 will join the museum’s operating fleet (including North Shore Line No. 761), and offer trolley rides from East Troy to the Indianhead Park in Mukwonago, Wis. “Individuals interested in supporting this historic renovation or joining the restoration team should contact the East Troy Railroad Museum at 262-642-3263,” the release adds.
Visit the East Troy Railroad Museum website for more information on Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee interurban car No. 162.
Note that invaluable Car 162 is the oldest surviving passenger car from the legendary Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad! Restoring veteran Car 162 would allow visitors to experience the speed and luxury of one of the Midwest’s most famous interurban lines.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün