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PE 332
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Birney Car
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Car 332 (presently painted as Tucson No. 10) is the twin sister of car 331. Built in 1918, Car 332 served on local lines operated by the Pacific Electric in several Southland cities. After retirement in 1941, it was sold to MGM Studios along with sister cars 331 and 337. The trio appeared in several movies, most notably "Singin' in the Rain" in 1952. The cars were heavily modified over the course of their movie careers, and 337 was reported to have eventually been cut open to permit interior shots. Complete cars 331 and 332 were donated to the Museum in 1966. Some interesting clips from the scene featuring car 337 in "Singin' in the Rain" are available on Harry Marnell's website. In 1985, OERM leased Car 332 to the Old
Pueblo Trolley in Tucson, Arizona. In
exchange for a ten-year lease on the car , Old Pueblo Trolley restored it to its current condition. The car was
knocked down to a steel skeleton and its body was completely rebuilt. In
the spring of 1993, this car inaugurated service on a reconstructed
trolley line in downtown Old Pueblo Trolley
continues in operation using other equipment owned by the group. The
“Old Pueblo Trolley 10” paint scheme replicates the appearance of the
streetcars operated by the Tucson Rapid Transit Company until 1930. The
332 will continue to wear its Car 332 operates
regularly on the Museum railway. Special Report: Car 332 visited the Port of Los Angeles Waterfront Red Car Line in Los Angeles on July 17-18, 2004. In celebration of the line's 1st Anniversary, Car 332 was on hand as an OERM ambassador. Click here for additional details. |
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