Kenyon F. Karl on 09/10/16

Builder: Boston Elevated Ry.
Description: Steeple cab locomotive
Secondary Use: None
Type: Locomotives, RPOs, Baggage and Express
Year: 1914
Retired from Service: 1974
Acquired by the Museum: 1976
Fund: 589

Boston Elevated Ry. 0514

From Boston, Massachusetts

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History

At the turn of the 20th century, Boston Elevated Railway (BERy) operated the elevated and street railways as well as the subways in and around Boston. In 1914, BERy needed power to haul its work trains on its elevated lines. Since there were no manufacturers of this type of locomotive because of the very limited market, the railway had to design and build the locomotive at their Bartlett Street Shops. The frame was fabricated from scrap rail, which was also used as ballast to improve the locomotive’s traction. 0514 was assigned to the Everett-Forest Hills elevated line hauling work trains. In the late 1940’s, elevated lines (Els) started to fall out of favor with the public who preferred subways. The overhead El structures were noisy and an ugly eyesore. They darkened the streets below them and seemed to divide their cities. Beginning in the mid-1930’s, the Boston Elevated began dismantling the Orange Line El which was then known as the Main Line El. The Atlantic Avenue branch was taken out of service without replacement during the Great Depression, then dismantled during World War II to help the war efforts. The Charlestown El was taken out of service in 1957 followed by the Roxbury El in 1987. Both were replaced by surface or subway alignments up to a quarter mile away. The dismantling of the elevated lines made 0514 redundant. It was stored in 1974 and finally put totally out of service in 1976. No. 0514 operated for three successive Boston transit systems – Boston Elevated 1914-1947, then the Metropolitan Transit Authority 1947-1976, and finally ending its long career with the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority. The locomotive was acquired by the museum in 1976. When it arrived on the property that same year, its motors had been disconnected, and so it has never been tested at the museum.

Technical Information

Control: General Electric M-C26C
Brakes: AMLE

Trucks

Number: 2
Manufacturer: Baldwin
Model: 2

Motor

Number: 4
Manufacturer: Westinghouse
Model: 301

Weight and Dimensions

Length: 30’ 8.00"
Width: 8’ 10.00"
Height: 12’

Additional Images

Kenyon F. Karl on 09/10/16

Joe Testagrose collection at newdavesrailpix.com