Near Union in McHenry County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Chicago and North Western 9933
1950 RDC-1 Rail Diesel Car
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 6, 2010
1. Chicago and North Western 9933 Marker
The self-propelled Rail Diesel Car (RDC) was introduced in 1949 as a low-cost alternative for branchline and commuter runs, available in five combinations of coach seating and baggage and mail space. Power was provided by two diesel engines and a mechanical drive. Unlike earlier gas-electric "Doodlebugs", multiple RDC's could be coupled and controlled from one cab.
The Chicago & North Western purchased three RDC's (9933-9935) to evaluate for local and commuter service. By 1957, C&NW elected to convert to diesel-hauled bi-level commuter trains, and traded all three RDC's to the Chesapeake & Ohio. C&NW 9933 operated on the C&O (as car 9061) and affiliate Baltimore & Ohio (as 1971) until 1984, when it was purchased by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. The car remained in Boston-area commuter service (as MBTA 10) until its retirement and acquisition by IRM.
Builder: Budd Co.
Horsepower: 550 hp
Prime Movers: (2) GM 6-280
Weight: 113,120 lbs
Axles: 4
Capacity: 80 passengers
Erected by Illinois Railway Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.
Location. 42° 13.68′ N, 88° 31.622′ W. Marker is near Union
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Soo/Milwaukee Road X-5001 (a few steps from this marker); Union Pacific 18 (a few steps from this marker); Railroad Cats (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Railroad Signals (within shouting distance of this marker); Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific 37A (within shouting distance of this marker); Chicago Railways Company Date Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroad Rails (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroad Standard Time (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Union.
Also see . . .
1. The Budd Diesel Rail Car. Website homepage (Submitted on December 23, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Chicago & North Western Historical Society. Society website homepage (Submitted on December 23, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. The Budd Company. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on December 23, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 6, 2010
2. Chicago and North Western 9933 Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 6, 2010
3. Chicago and North Western 9933
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 874 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 23, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
