Car 553
| Company type | Privately owned passenger railcar |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Predecessor | C&NW 6700 "The Deerpath" |
| Founded | 1949 |
| Defunct | 2022 (retired from service) |
| Fate | Retired and stored at Council Bluffs, Iowa |
| Headquarters | Northeastern Illinois , United States |
Area served | Metra's Union Pacific North Line |
| Owner | Union Pacific (since late 2020) |
Car 553 was a privately owned passenger railcar that operated solely on Metra's Union Pacific North Line in the Northeastern region of Illinois. It held the distinction of being the final commuter railcar in the United States available exclusively through membership.
History
The concept of private commuter railcars originated in 1929 on the Chicago and North Western Railway, targeting well-to-do commuters residing in Chicago's North Shore suburban areas. The inaugural private car was C&NW 6700, known as "The Deerpath."
Constructed in 1949 by the American Car and Foundry Company, Car 553 was originally designated as car 7901 for the Chicago and North Western Railway. Its initial function was as a lounge and barbershop car aboard the long-haul City of Los Angeles route connecting Chicago to Los Angeles. The car underwent conversion for commuter use in 1961, at which point it was renumbered to 553.
On November 30, 1975, ownership transferred to Commuter Associates Inc., enabling continued operation under the commuter rail division of the Regional Transportation Authority, which eventually evolved into Metra in 1984. During the 1990s, women began acquiring seats within the car. Car 553 maintained its original pre-Metra Regional Transportation Authority brown and white paint scheme until late 2017, when it was restored to its initial C&NW yellow and green colors.
Union Pacific took possession of Car 553 in late 2020. Presently, the car is stored at Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Metra service
Up until 2022, Car 553 ran twice daily on the Union Pacific North Line between Chicago and Kenosha, Wisconsin, operating under an arrangement with the Union Pacific Railroad, which oversees Metra services on this route. Initially reserved for affluent families from the "North Shore," membership eventually expanded to include the broader public. Quarterly membership fees ranged from $550 to $850, depending on boarding location. The car typically arrived at Ogilvie Transportation Center near 8:00 a.m. and departed for Kenosha shortly after 5:30 p.m.
In 2022, Car 553 was retired from active service and temporarily housed at the California Avenue yard before being relocated to the Elburn yard to mitigate vandalism risks. While no official explanation was provided, a decline in Metra ridership likely reduced member contributions, rendering continued operation and upkeep financially impractical.
As of April 2025, Car 553 remains stored in Council Bluffs, Iowa, which serves as home to Union Pacific's Heritage Fleet. Its ultimate fate—whether restoration, donation to a museum, or use for parts—has yet to be determined.