Checks can be sent to:  R. Donald Ross, 3821 Crater Lake Ct, Irving, TX 75062-4015

In 1901, the Illinois Valley Traction was incorporated to build the first part of what later became the CO&P. Various other companies were involved in the construction until the CO&P consolidated them all by 1909. The CO&P became the Valley Division of Illinois Traction Inc. in 1923. In 1929, a new company, the Chicago & Illinois Valley, took over the Valley Division and operated it until abandonment on May 14, 1934. It was always considered a part of the Illinois Traction, and this can be seen in its rolling stock. Here are a few examples of the equipment which served this line over the years.

The first service into Princeton included car 55 and a locomotive.

41 thru 44 were built by American Car in August, 1905, as trailers for the Aurora Plainfield & Joliet. They were sold before delivery to the CO&P where they were motorized.

55 and 56 were built by St. Louis in 1903. 55 was retired in 1921. 56 was used in Peoria from 1920 thru 1927 when it was returned to the Valley. It was scrapped in 1934.

60 thru 76 were built by St. Louis in 1924. Several cars were transferred in 1928 to the IT and renumbered at that time. After abandonment, the rest went to the IT. They were rebuilt into several configurations in the 300s and 400s. The cars shown had the following histories.

62 was built by St Louis Car Co in 1924, #1324.  It was rebuilt as Illinois Terminal RR 410 in April 1930 and donated to Museum of Transportation.

64 was built by St Louis Car Co in 1924, #1324.  It was rebuilt as IT 415 on September 16, 1934. and sold to Illinois Electric Railway Museum on October 19, 1956.

65 was built by St Louis Car Co in 1924, #1324.  Disposition is unknown.

72 was built by St Louis Car Co in 1924, #1324.  Disposition is unknown.

75 was built by St Louis Car Co in 1924, #1324.  It became IT 77 in 1928 and rebuilt as 407 on June 10, 1930.  It was sold for scrap to the Purdy Co on July 11, 1953.

83 was built by St. Louis Car as 82. It was later renumbered 81 about 1920. It was later rebuilt as line car 83 and scrapped in 1934.

108 thru 115 seem to be cars acquired to replace the single trucks 101 thru 107 for service between LaSalle and Peru.

260 thru 269 were built by Danville in 1911. In 1924 these cars were sent to Decatur, and the best parts of them were used to create 260 thru 264, five cars created from the parts of ten.

1050 was built by St. Louis in 1905 for the Illinois Traction. On September 11, 1928, it went to Ottawa, It appears that it was not relettered before retirement in 1934.

1052 was built by St. Louis in 1906 for the Illinois Traction. In July, 1928, it went to Ottawa, where it served until it was scrapped in 1934. It may not have been relettered from IT to CO&P.

1100 was one of many express trailers on both divisions of the IT.

1524 was a pull car built by St. Louis in 1915 as Illinois Traction 1514 until it was transferred to Ottawa as 1524 in July, 1925. It was retired in 1934 and scrapped at Ottawa in January, 1935.

1530 and 1531 were built at the Danville shop in 1914 as kits which were then assembled at Ottawa. These were so-called pull cars which were used as locomotives.

Information:  Alan Nichols

WebWork by rinity echnology Co.

AMDG

Memorial of Saint Acutina

<><

Choose Life.

Mom did.

Don's Depot

If you learn everything except Christ, you learn nothing.  If you learn nothing except  Christ, you learn everything.

---St. Bonaventure