That's the final car built, 460, alongside 36 from the initial order of wooden cars with which the interurban began service. I know of at least four cars from that series still in preservation, three at Illinois Railway Museum and a fourth at the Fox River Trolley Museum. There might be others that made their way east after the interurban quit running.
The Illinois Railway Museum would like to offer a three car train of these steel cars, and they recently took up a collection to reupholster the seats. Car 460 is already in service, while cars 451 and 453 require mechanical work. "The second and third car's worth of seats will be temporarily and securely stored. We are currently hoping to strip and repaint the interior of car 451 sometime in the next year or so, after which its newly reupholstered seats will be installed. Stripping and repainting car 453's interior will follow that."
There's enough ferroequinologist interest in the Great Third Rail that the seat reupholstery project has been funded in full. "One particularly generous donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, sponsored no fewer than 29 seats. Overall, the results of this fundraiser exceeded our wildest expectations."
There are always preservation projects going on, at the local trolley museums, or on preservation railways elsewhere. There's likely one involving your favorite railroad, dear reader. With summer vacation season upon us, find yourself a preservation railroad and go to it. Don't be afraid to patronize the used book store or drop some cash in the donation box.
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