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Rock Island 2604Commuter Coach 2604 is one of the Museum's three Rock Island commuter coaches from Chicago. 2604 and its twin, 2608, are in regular service on the Osceola & St. Croix Valley passenger trains. The third, 2529, is an exhibit at the Jackson Street Roundhouse. HistoryStarting in 1865, the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific operated a commuter service on its line south out of Chicago. Service reached Joliet by 1907. Early equipment was wooden coaches pulled by Forney-type steam locomotives. In 1923, the service was upgraded with fifty steel coaches (2500-2549) built by Standard Steel Car Company. These were followed in 1927-28 by another 50 (2550-2599) from Standard Steel. These featured roller-bearing axles, which were extremely modern for their day. In 1929, Standard Steel delivered fifteen more (2600-2614,) which completed the fleet. These had wider two-part end doors which permitted quicker entry and exit than the previous single doors. These 115 cars (dubbed "Al Capone" cars in more recent years) formed the backbone of the Rock Island's commuter fleet until Metra took over Chicago commuter operations in the late 1970's. The route itself survives today as Metra's "RI" route, also known as the "Rock Island" line.In 1981, the Minnesota Transportation Museum had just restored Northern Pacific steam locomotive 328, and was looking for passenger equipment to pull behind it in excursions. The Rock Island "Capone" cars were available, and MTM picked up three. (Museum lore says one was badly damaged in transit, and the seller substituted another. That damaged car may have been the 2540? But that's speculation...) Since then, 2604 and 2608 have been staples in the museum's trains. Their mechanical simplicity and roller bearings make them very reliable, and their open windows and high ceiling make them very appealing to passengers. Several other Rock Island commuter coaches survive. See the Rock Island Technical Society's partial disposition list of Rock Island passenger cars. TechnicalMechanically, the cars are simplicity itself. They are of all-steel construction, with cast end frames, a double I-beam center sill, rivited body, and poured concrete-like floor. Their construction is lighter than contemporary main-line "heavyweight" cars. (60 tons vs. 100 tons average.) The walls, ceiling and floor are insulated with fiberglass. The roof is the "Harriman" style that was popular with the Harriman-controlled railroads.Ventilation: Open the windows - or leave an end-door open. There are also roof-top vents to let hot air out. Glazing: Single-pane. Lighting: 32 volt DC from the locomotive. There was no on-board power source, save a small battery set "not even large enough to finish cleaning the car by." Lavatory: None. No running water, no toilet. Seating: 42 walk-over seats, and four benches, two on each side of the end doors. Total capacity about 96 passengers. There were "standing room only" handholds above the benches. Vestibules: No trap door or side door. Just a simple gate that could be opened quickly. Diaphragm: None. Just three chains on each side. Brakes: UC passenger-car brake valves and a single body-mounted brake cylinder. Staff-type hand brakes on each end. Clasp-type brakes on each axle with cast iron brake shoes. Trucks: Drop-equalized with inside swing hanger. One-piece cast frame. 36" multi-wear wheels. Any make of roller bearing imaginable. Locking center pin. Painting: Basic-dip "Pullman Green," with black roof and underside. As-delivered lettering was "ROCK ISLAND" in the letterboard. This was later replaced by a herald between the center window and the car number. The car number was centered below the windows on each side, and inside above and right of the end door. The standard "railroad roman" font was used. "Watch Your Step" signs adorned the second step, and the end wall of each vestibule (above the gate when opened.) See page 154 of White's book for an as-delivered photo, and page 19 of Hile/Hickcox/Miller for a 1971 view. TodayMTM has made a few adaptations for safety and appearance: The grab irons were painted yellow. The chains were replaced with tube-type diaphragms. Some seats have been reupholstered, and the aisle runner replaced. The "standing room only" handholds above the end benches have been removed, and window catches had to be redone.Some sheet metal around the vestibule steps has been patched. The railroad used salt to control ice on the steps. Unfortunately, salt greatly accelerates rust. The most badly-perforated corner was completly replaced in 2001. Due to safety concerns, one of 2604's swing gates was replaced by a Budd-inspired swing-up gate. At the same time, the staff-type hand brake was replace with an AJAX wheel handbrake. These modifications haven't been repeated due to unpopularity with crews. 2529, 2604, and 2608 had a mix of AAR type-E and Sharon couplers. They have been moved around to put the AAR type-E couplers on the operating cars. The friction draft gear has been replaced with cut-down Waughmats. The lighting and electrical has been upgraded. The original 32-volt lighting was replaced by standard household 120/240-volt AC, with modified Pyle-National shore-power Quelarc plugs between cars at frame height. The center row of lights, original just bare bulbs, replaced by light fixtures with globes. A PA system has also been added. The "Rock Island" heralds on each side are courtesy of the Rock Island Technical Society's company store. They are 3M Scotchlight reproductions of the original. The "Watch Your Step" signs are likewise reproductions. Back around 1995, 2604's wheels were thin and had worn profiles, so 2529's trucks (with good wheels) were reworked and placed under 2604.
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