Boston Elevated Ry. 5821

Impressed with the cost savings afforded by the Birney car, but recognizing that it did not meet the needs of its routes, the Boston Elevated designed a double truck, lightweight car, similar to its earlier semi-convertibles, which met its needs. Like the earlier cars, these cars, designated Type 5, featured wide entry doors, large capacity and the capability to operate with either a one or two man crew. From the Birney car it inherited lightweight design, a low floor, and a high horsepower to weight ratio. Boston Elevated purchased 471 of the Type 5 cars between 1922 and 1928. After examining their experience with the first groups of Type 5s, the Elevated instituted a small design change in 1924. This was actually a response to increasing Boston traffic, more than to a fault in the original Type 5 design. Wood was eliminated from the window posts at the operator’s position and brass sash replaced the wood ones. This reduced the number of blind spots and allowed the operator a better view of cars approaching from the side. It was hoped that this could reduce accidents and improve the Elevated’s already stellar safety record. The first group of 75 of these cars, including No. 5821, was ordered from Brill in mid 1924, and by 1928, 166 more cars had been added to the Elevated’s fleet. Other than the platform windows, these cars differed little from the earlier cars, using the same control, motors seats and other features. No. 5821 operated on routes out of the Everett carhouse. The Type 5 cars provided the backbone of Boston’s streetcar service until after World War II when routes were converted to bus, trackless trolleys or the newer PCC streetcars. No. 5821 continued in service after 1947 when the Metropolitan Transit Authority took over Boston Elevated’s operation. In 1954, Seashore acquired No. 5821, a Brill car from the 1924 lot. In 1959, Seashore acquired Boston Elevated No. 5734 which is very similar to No. 5821 but without the “vision front.” Seashore totally rebuilt No. 5821 between 1978 and 1980, with much of the underframe and all of the side sheeting replaced. The car received a further overhaul in 2012. The only surviving “vision front” Type 5 is now a workhorse at Seashore.