As the
local streetcar systems struggled in the late 1910's and 20's to keep marginal
car lines operating they turned to one-man Birney Safety Cars to minimize operating
expenses. PE acquired 69 of these cars.
Fondly
known as Blimps due to their large size, this class of cars first came to
the PE during WWII to transport shipyard workers. The Blimps closed out service on the
last line, Long Beach, in 1961.
Another
of PE's famous 'Blimps', this car is a combination passenger/baggage car.
It is currently nearing the end of a complete interior and exterior
restoration.
The
Fives were the first new cars ordered by the PE, and operated in service
until 1936. Car 538 was the basis for replica cars 500-501 at the Port of
LA. Car 530 is a new addition to the Museum's collection, arriving in
August 2007.
Known as
"Hollywood Cars" due
to their initial assignment to Hollywood Blvd., these 1920's steel cars were
the PE's largest class of equipment, numbering 160 units at the peak.
PE 1001 is one of the last wooden
interurbans ordered by the Pacific Electric. Built by the Jewett Car Company,
car 1001 served from 1911 to the mid 50's, first as a passenger
car, then later as a work car.
PE
1406 was originally built for SP's interurban operations in Portland OR.
It came to the PE in 1929 and was used as a railway post office (RPO) car
and later as a service car.
