PE 332
Birney Car

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 Tucson, which it served daily until June 1995. After its return from Tucson, the 332 received additional restoration of its electrical and airbrake systems, entering regular service on the Museum railway in March of 2004.

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 Tucson colors for the foreseeable future, as a tribute to this successful joint venture between our two rail preservation organizations. It will eventually be repainted into its original Pacific Electric red color scheme. 

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.

332 and 418 BM.JPG (152354 bytes) 332 interior sm.JPG (109357 bytes) singing104.jpg (301503 bytes)
PE 332 in operation at Perris Sister car 337 at MGM Studios in 1952 appearing in "Singin' In the Rain".
332 loading Perris sm.JPG (138887 bytes) 332 unloading 1 sm.JPG (111867 bytes) Tuesday 332 lineup sm.JPG (106602 bytes)
Departing Perris 7/12 Arriving San Pedro 7/13 In operation 7/14
Tuesday Gayle Anderson 4 sm.JPG (125097 bytes) Monday 332 Maritime Museum sm.JPG (127222 bytes) Monday 332 and 1058 sm.JPG (110614 bytes)
KTLA reporter Gayle Anderson broadcasting live! 332 passes the LA Maritime Museum while on a test run. Passing the line's maintenance area with car 1058 in the background.
332 Nightime sm.JPG (140231 bytes) 332 Swinford St sm.JPG (97235 bytes) 332 SP slip 4 sm.JPG (144077 bytes)
A nighttime view with San Pedro City Hall in the background. On a test run just south of Swinford St, The Vincent Thomas Bridge is visible in the background. Passing the SP Slip and San Pedro's remaining fishing fleet.
332 and 1058 tent sm.JPG (120324 bytes) 332 at tent sm.JPG (106451 bytes) 332 leaving San Pedro sm.JPG (86153 bytes)
1058 on the main with 332 in between runs. Just returned from another trip. On its way back to Perris, 332 passes replica car 500.
John Smatlak photos
Pacific Electric page