PE-1406

Interurban RPO

Line many trolley cars, the 1406 had many lives. It is seen here in the 1950s at the Watts Carhouse in its final configuration as "Wrecker" car 008. OERM Collection.

Car Specs

Car Number:

1406

Type:

"Portland" RPO-Baggage

Builder:

Brill

Built / Retired:

1913 - 1959

Construction:

Steel

Length:

55 ft. - 4 in.

Weight:

103,800 lbs.

Notes:

body, on trucks

This car was built in 1913 for Southern Pacific’s “Red Electric” system operating out of Portland, Oregon. It was purpose built as a trolley Railway Post Office (RPO) car. For more information about RPO cars. By the time that system was abandoned in 1929, most of its 61 cars (including this one) had been resold to the SP-controlled Pacific Electric in Los Angeles.

In 1936 PE rebuilt the car into RPO 1406. When PE's RPO service ended in 1950 it was converted to an unpowered work car. As “wrecker” 008, it was used to move tools and supplies to the scene of accidents. It was sold for scrap in 1959.

In 1964, the Museum negotiated with the scrap dealer that had purchased the car, but was only able to buy the running gear (or “trucks”) underneath the car. However, instead of ending up on the scrap heap, the body of the car became the junk yard’s office. 28 years later, in 1992, the junk yard was sold and the owner donated the car to the Museum. The car is now reunited with its original trucks.

Additional Images