British Columbia Electric Railways Interurban Car #1304

I originally posted information about Antique Powerland on my website in a PLACES page on November 23, 2007 and last updated it on December 18, 2009. I am posting the railroad-related information here, with pictures and information from the 2010 Great Oregon Steam-Up. All of my information about Antique Powerland can be found at PlacesPages.

Interurban Car #1304 at Antique Powerland on August 4, 2007

Interurban car #1304 was built in 1911 by the British Columbia Electric Railways in their New Westminster Shops. It was built as a private car for the Governor General of Canada, the Duke of Connaught, to use during a 1912 visit to British Columbia and was originally named Duke of Connaught in his honor. After his visit, the car was converted into a coach for use on the Fraser Valley line between Vancouver and Chilliwack, British Columbia. In 1945, the car caught fire while part of a 3-car train and burned to the floorboards, however it was insured by Lloyds of London, who paid to have it rebuilt at New Westminster in 1946. This rebuild made it essentially a new car, and makes this the last wooden interurban built in North America. The car weighs 40 tons, produces 400 horsepower and can reach a top speed of 80 miles per hour. The interior is partitioned into two sections: a smaller men's smoking section and a larger non-smoking section for women and families.

Interurban Car #1304 at Antique Powerland on August 4, 2007

The car was retired in 1954, and was sold to the Willamette Valley Electric Railway Association for $1.00. The car was moved on its own wheels to the roundhouse in Union Pacific's Albina Yard, where it was restored by WVERA volunteers. It was moved to the Glenwood Trolley Park in 1958. This car is owned by the New England Electric Railway Historical Society and was on long-term loan to the OERHS until April 2009, when it was returned to British Columbia for restoration to operation.

Interurban Car #1304 at Antique Powerland on August 4, 2007

Links to Historical Photographs:
#1304 in service in Canada (Dave's Electric Railroads)
#1304 & #1187, Glenwood Trolley Park, 1986 (nycsubway.org)

Continue to Serviço de Transportes Colectivos do Porto tram #210…

Blackpool Corporation Tramways Tram #48

I originally posted information about Antique Powerland on my website in a PLACES page on November 23, 2007 and last updated it on December 18, 2009. I am posting the railroad-related information here, with pictures and information from the 2010 Great Oregon Steam-Up. All of my information about Antique Powerland can be found at PlacesPages.

Double-Deck Tram #48 at Antique Powerland on August 4, 2007

Double-decker tram #48 is from Blackpool, England. It was built in 1927-28 by Blackpool Corporation Tramways. Though some of the Blackpool double-decker trams were rebuilt from earlier cars, very little from the original #48 was used in this car, making it a virtually new car in 1928. This car is one of a group of 55 cars known as "Standards," built between 1923 and 1929. It was one of the last "Standards" to be in service when it was retired in 1962. It is one of only 6 surviving cars of this type.

Tram #48 controls & stairs to upper level on August 4, 2007

Though the upper level is more popular among museum visitors, the lower level has more comfortable padded seats instead of the wooded slat benches of the upper level.

Tram #48 Lower Level Interior on August 4, 2007

This car was used on the Willamette Shore Trolley line for many years, but was replaced by “Broadway Car” #813 in 2004, as the wear and tear of the heavy tourist traffic was taking its toll on the car. The car was moved to Powerland in 2006.

Tram #48 Upper Level Interior on August 4, 2007

For more information visit this Blackpool Trams History page.

Tram #48 Upper Level Interior on August 4, 2007

Links to Historical Photographs:
#48 on Willamette Shore Trolley line in 2000 (nycsubway.org)
#48 on Willamette Shore Trolley line in 2000 (nycsubway.org)
#48 in Willamette Shore Trolley carbarn, 2004 (nycsubway.org)

 

Continue to British Columbia Electric Railways Interurban Car #1304…

New South Wales Government Tramways Tram #1187

I originally posted information about Antique Powerland on my website in a PLACES page on November 23, 2007 and last updated it on December 18, 2009. I am posting the railroad-related information here, with pictures and information from the 2010 Great Oregon Steam-Up. All of my information about Antique Powerland can be found at PlacesPages.

O-Class Tram #1187 at Antique Powerland on August 4, 2007

Open car #1187 is an O-class tram ("tram" is the British term for "trolley" or "streetcar") from Sydney, Australia. It was built in 1912 by the Meadowbank Manufacturing Company of Meadowbank, New South Wales, Australia for the New South Wales Government Tramways. A total of 626 O-class trams were built, the largest class of trams in Australia, and they operated until 1958. Only 6 O-class trams survive today; this is the only one in America.

O-Class Tram #1187 at Antique Powerland on August 4, 2007

This is the car the museum was operating during my visits, and would appear to be their favorite car for operations for obvious reasons: it is in excellent condition and as an open car the passengers can be relatively comfortable in the summer heat. In 1998, this was the first trolley to carry paying passenger at Powerland, while using a generator car for electricity, in 1999 it was the first to carry passengers while drawing its power from the overhead wires, and in 2002 it was the first to enter the carbarn under its own power. The car was given a cosmetic restoration, including a new roof and paint in 2007.

O-Class Tram #1187 at Antique Powerland on August 4, 2007

For more information, visit the Sydney Powerhouse Museum's page about Tram #805.

O-Class Tram #1187 at Antique Powerland on August 4, 2007

Continue to Blackpool Corporation Tramways Tram #48…

Portland Traction Co. “Broadway Car” #813

I originally posted information about Antique Powerland on my website in a PLACES page on November 23, 2007 and last updated it on December 18, 2009. I am posting the railroad-related information here, with pictures and information from the 2010 Great Oregon Steam-Up. All of my information about Antique Powerland can be found at PlacesPages.

Portland Traction Company “Broadway Car” #813 in Portland, Oregon, on August 19, 2007, on the Willamette Shore Trolley line

Car #813 is one of 15 Master Units built by J. G. Brill and Company in 1932 for the Portland Traction Company. In Portland, these cars were called "Broadway Cars," after the line they were originally assigned to.

Portland Traction Company “Broadway Car” #813 in Portland, Oregon, on August 19, 2007, on the Willamette Shore Trolley line

When Portland's narrow gauge streetcar lines were shut sown in 1950, #813 was one of two Broadway cars to be changed to standard gauge for use on the interurban lines, which lasted until 1958. On the Interurban lines, #813 was renumbered to #4012.

Portland Traction Company “Broadway Car” #813 in Portland, Oregon, on August 19, 2007, on the Willamette Shore Trolley line

In 1959, the car was sold to the OERHS, who put it on display at Oaks Amusement Park until the Glenwood Trolley Park was open.

Portland Traction Company “Broadway Car” #813 in Portland, Oregon, on August 19, 2007, on the Willamette Shore Trolley line

In the 1990s, the car was given a full restoration, which was completed in 1998, restoring the car to its original number and paint scheme, though it retains its standard gauge trucks.

Portland Traction Company “Broadway Car” #813 in Portland, Oregon, on August 19, 2007, on the Willamette Shore Trolley line

When the OERHS moved to Brooks, #813 was moved to the Willamette Shore Trolley, though it made at least one trip back to Brooks, for the 2000 Great Oregon Steam-Up.

Portland Traction Company “Broadway Car” #813 in Portland, Oregon, on August 31, 2008, on the Willamette Shore Trolley line

After many years of service on the Willamette Shore Trolley line, #813 broke down on July 16, 2010, and Willamette Shore Trolley service was suspended. #813 was moved back to Brooks in June 2012. Two of the Portland Vintage Trolley replicas of the Council Crest cars have since been acquired to take its place on the Willamette Shore Trolley line.

Portland Traction Company “Broadway Car” #813 in Portland, Oregon, on August 31, 2008, on the Willamette Shore Trolley line

Links to Historical Photographs:
#813 in service in 1949 (Dave's Electric Railroads)
#4012 in service in Portland (Dave's Electric Railroads)

Portland Traction Company “Broadway Car” #813 in Portland, Oregon, on August 31, 2008, on the Willamette Shore Trolley line

Continue to New South Wales Government Tramways Tram #1187…

Oregon Electric Railway Museum at Antique Powerland

I originally posted information about Antique Powerland on my website in a PLACES page on November 23, 2007 and last updated it on December 18, 2009. I am posting the railroad-related information here, with pictures and information from the 2010 Great Oregon Steam-Up. All of my information about Antique Powerland can be found at PlacesPages.

The Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society was founded in 1957. The OERHS negotiated a lease of property in Glenwood, Oregon that was the former headquarters of the Consolidated Timber Company and the Gales Creek & Wilson River Railroad, which was abandoned in 1950 and the tracks pulled up, but the railroad grade and shop buildings remained. The OERHS laid new tracks and hung catenary wires to turn the property into a Trolley Park, which opened around 1967. This was a secluded, wooded, rural area that wasn't near any major cities or other tourist attractions. In 1995, in an effort to have a better location, the OERHS, signed a lease at Antique Powerland, and the Glenwood Trolley Park closed in October, 1995. All of the trolleys and equipment were moved to Brooks and the tracks at Glenwood removed. Trolley operation at Antique Powerland began in 1999.

Brian McCamish visited the site of the Glenwood Trolley Park in 2005, click here for photos.

Oregon Electric Railway Museum Interpretive Center under construction at Antique Powerland on July 31, 2010

The Oregon Electric Railway Museum's new Interpretive Center was under construction during the 2010 Great Oregon Steam Up.

(This section includes links to historical photographs of some of the trolleys and trolleybuses at Antique Powerland. Sources for these photos include Dave's Electric Railroads, Trainnet.org, nycsubway.org, Richard C. DeArmond's Electric Trolley Bus Web Site and Tom's North American Trolley Bus Pictures.)

Here is a video taken from aboard trolley #1187 during its trip around Antique Powerland during the 2008 Great Oregon Steam-Up on August 3, 2008.

Riding the Trolley at the 2008 Great Oregon Steam-Up

Magnetic Flagman “Wigwag” Signal at Antique Powerland during the Great Oregon Steam-Up on August 4, 2007

Part of the Trolley Line includes this Magnetic Flagman, or Wigwag, crossing signal, made by the Magnetic Signal Company of Los Angeles, California. These signals were installed in the early 1900s until the 1940s. This wigwag was removed from another location in Oregon, donated to the OERHS and installed in 2002 when the trolley line extension to the Brooks depot was added. Here is a short video of trolley #1187 passing the wigwag.

Trolley Passing Wigwag at the 2007 Great Oregon Steam-Up

Related Links:
Willamette Shore Trolley
Portland Vintage Trolleys
PdxHistory.com
Roster of Preserved N. American Electric Ry. Cars by the Branford Electric Railway Assoc.
Dave's Electric Railroads
Trainnet.org
www.nycsubway.org
Richard C. DeArmond's Electric Trolley Bus Web Site
Tom's North American Trolley Bus Pictures
Brian McCamish's Active & Abandoned Railroads of the Pacific Northwest

Since 1995, the OERHS has also operated the Willamette Shore Trolley between Portland and Lake Oswego, Oregon. Several of the society's trolleys have been used on this line. "Broadway Car" #813 was assigned to the Willamette Shore Trolley line in 2004 and remained there until being moved to Antique Powerland in June 2012. Even though I photographed #813 on the Willamette Shore Trolley line, I am including it in the following posts about each of the museum’s trolleys.

Portland Traction Co. “Broadway Car” #813
New South Wales Government Tramways Tram #1187
Blackpool Corporation Tramways Tram #48
British Columbia Electric Railways Interurban Car #1304
Serviço de Transportes Colectivos do Porto tram #210
Portland Street Railway Company “Council Crest Cars” #503 & #506
Portland Electric Power Company Interurban Car #1067
East Side Railway Snow Sweeper #1455
Los Angeles Railway H-Class Streetcar #1318
Hong Kong Tramways Tram #12
Mt. Hood Railway & Power Company Interurban Car #1191
Tacoma Railway & Power Company Streetcar #326
San Francisco Municipal Railway PCC Streetcars #1118 & #1159
San Francisco Municipal Railway Light Rail Vehicle #1213
Trolleybuses
Freight Motors
Diesel Locomotives
Spokane, Portland & Seattle Caboose #713
Portland General Electric Bull Run Flume Work Train
Misc. Railroad Equipment

Continue to Portland Traction Co. “Broadway Car” #813…

Brooks Depot at Antique Powerland

I originally posted information about Antique Powerland on my website in a PLACES page on November 23, 2007 and last updated it on December 18, 2009. I am posting the railroad-related information here, with pictures and information from the 2010 Great Oregon Steam-Up. All of my information about Antique Powerland can be found at PlacesPages.

Brooks Depot at Antique Powerland on August 4, 2007.

The historic Brooks railroad depot was originally built by the Southern Pacific Railroad in downtown Brooks.

Brooks Depot at Antique Powerland on August 4, 2007.

The depot was moved to Antique Powerland in 1986 and is now the home of the Brooks Historical Society's museum; it is being maintained in its original condition and is filled with historical artifacts.

Brooks Depot at Antique Powerland on August 3, 2008.

Here is the Brooks Depot during the 2008 Great Oregon Steam Up, with railroad speeders parked in front of it. This speeders were giving rides on the trolley line; the trolley was operating as well.

LP&N Speeder at Antique Powerland on August 3, 2008

I had seen most of the speeders before at other events, except for this one lettered for the Longview, Portland & Northern Railroad.

Continue to Oregon Electric Railway Museum…

Ex-GN Business Car A-26, aka NCBX #826

Ex-GN Business Car at East Portland on July 13, 2007

This steel-sheathed wood passenger car was originally built as an observation car for the Great Northern Railway. It later became business car A-26 and was eventually transferred to maintenance of way service.

Ex-GN Business Car at East Portland on July 13, 2007

The Great Northern merged into Burlington Northern in 1970, and this car was part of the merger. It remained in service with Burlington Northern for a number of years until it was retired.

Ex-GN Business Car in Milwaukie on February 16, 2008

Somewhere along the line, it was lettered as NCBX #826, with "STANDARD RAIL" on one side. It found its way to Portland and spent years stored in various locations, including on a siding near Linnton, Oregon, northwest of Portland. Vandals set fire to the car in 2006.

Ex-GN Business Car in Milwaukie on February 16, 2008

Dick Samuels eventually purchased the car. It spent time near OMSI at East Portland Junction before being moved to the Oregon Pacific shops in Milwaukie in early 2008, where it was be restored for excursion service and given the name "Kelly Sue." It was later moved to Golf Junction in Sellwood.

Ex-GN Business Car at Golf Jct. on October 3, 2009

In 2011, Samuel acquired the fully restored Southern Pacific Business Car Santa Rosa. With the Santa Rosa available for excursion service, Samuels subsequently sold this car to another owner, though it has remained stored at Golf Junction where it is under restoration.

Ex-GN Business Car at Golf Jct. on October 3, 2009