E&C Shops - 707 - Commonwealth Edison - 2015

Model Information: These models come with optional, user-installed weights and internal bracing.

Road Name History: Commonwealth Edison, commonly known as ComEd, is the largest electric utility in Illinois, and the sole electric provider in Chicago and much of Northern Illinois. Its service territory stretches roughly from Iroquois County to the south, the Wisconsin border to the north, the Iowa border to the west, and the Indiana border to the east.

Brand/Importer Information: E&C Shops made decent and inexpensive Wood Chip Cars and Coalporters (their first offerings). They were genius because they made mass produced multiple road numbers available at the same time, something that the big guys are just now embracing after years of cycles of watching for announcements and checking the ones you already have. At the time and at least 10 years beyond it was nice to grab a dozen BN coalporters with different numbers in a box and go. Kudos to Fred Becker and Hubert for trying something different and cutting edge. Their Bethgons were less expensive and more detailed than later big-name productions.