Fred Maloney at newdavesrailpix.com

Builder: Newburyport Car Co.
Secondary Use: Railway maintenance
Type: City and Suburban Streetcars
Year: 1903
Retired from Service: 1952
Acquired by the Museum: 1952
Note: No. 475 is in operating condition and is stored in the Central carbarn. Some paint and window work remains to complete a full restoration.
Fund: 568

Boston Elevated Ry. 475

From Boston, Massachusetts

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History

The Boston Elevated Railway, a private company, was formed in 1894 to build elevated lines in the Boston area. In 1897, the Boston Elevated also took over streetcar lines in Boston. Newburyport Car Manufacturing Co. built No. 475 for the Boston Elevated in 1903. The basic layout of No. 475 duplicates No. 396 which is also at Seashore Trolley Museum. Unlike No. 396, No. 475 was constructed originally with enclosed vestibules. It was also one of the first 60 Boston streetcars equipped with air brakes. No. 475 has the so called “Boston Front” – each dasher having three panels matching the three vestibule windows above. This group of 60 cars is termed the 26 ½ foot cars. The BERy assigned No. 475 to Division 9 serving Brighton, Allston and Brookline. Division 9’s paint scheme was chocolate brown and white. In 1904, No. 475 may have been part of a group of 26 ½ ft. cars used on the East Boston tunnel where steep grades required air brake cars for safe operation. After 1911, No. 475 received the standard surface lines colors of dark green and white. Boston Elevated converted No. 475 to one man operation in 1922. The car ran in many parts of the city. Newer semi-convertible cars led to a relatively short life in regular service for No. 475. Boston Elevated rebuilt No. 475 into an electrical test car in 1928. The BERy based its work cars at Charlestown Neck. Other 26 ½ foot cars were gone by 1930. No. 475 received an orange paint scheme in the late 1930s. Seashore acquired No. 475 in 1952. In 1979, Seashore moved No. 475 to the MBTA Watertown carhouse where a group of Boston area volunteers could do restoration work. In 1980, No. 475 moved to the Lotus Place carhouse at Arborway. The next year, it was back at Watertown. At Watertown, Seashore volunteers did extensive restoration work, including removing the test equipment and reinstalling longitudinal seats. The volunteers used plywood for some of the restoration. No. 475 came back to Kennebunkport sometime after 1991. No. 475 is believed to be the only preserved trolley from the Newburyport Car Co. in the United States. Another Newburyport car is at the Canadian Railway Museum.

Technical Information

Seats: 36
Control: K-28N
Brakes: SME
Compressor: D1-L

Trucks

Number: 2
Manufacturer: Taylor
Model: LB

Motor

Number: 2
Manufacturer: General Electric
Model: 86A

Weight and Dimensions

Length: 38’ 3.00"
Width: 7’ 10.00"
Height: 11’ 8.00"
Weight: 31260 lbs.

Additional Images

in Allston section of Boston