Flat Car #70573 was built by the Bettendorf Car Company of Bettendorf, Iowa. It is a typical flatcar of that era. It has an AAR designation of FM. It has a steel frame and a wood deck. The pockets on the sides can be used to tie things down or hold stakes to contain cargo. This car served on the Illinois Central, a railroad that operated an electric division serving the south side of Chicago. This division, which operated on 1,500 volts DC (trolleys use only 600 volts DC) ran electrified freight and passenger service. Electric passenger service continues today on these lines operated by Metra, Chicago’s commuter rail agency.
An Indiana interurban, the Chicago, South Shore and South Bend, used these same tracks to reach downtown Chicago. The South Shore line and these tracks are still in electric passenger service today. The South Shore service is operated by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District.
The car was a part of the collection at the Grand Rapids Electric Railway museum and was acquired by NORM in 2004. The car is awaiting restoration.
| Builder | Bettendorf Car Company |
| Type | Freight Car |
| Description | Steel Flat Car |
| Year Built | 1927 |
| Retired | |
| Acquired | 2004 |
| Seats | n/a |
| Length | 40′ 8″ |
| Width | 9′ 4″ |
| Height | 4′ |
| Weight | 35,600 |
| Trucks | Dahlman |
| Engine | n/a |
| Control | n/a |
| Brakes | K |
| Compressor | n/a |