Key System 182
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Dave's Electric Railroads |
Built in:1937 by Bethlehem
Out-of-service/Retired:1959 (1958)
Type of car:rapid transit car (two-car articulated set)
Current Owner:Western Railway Museum(Rio Vista, California)
Car History by Frank Hicks
Key System 182
In 1939 the Key System, which had previously operated interurbans to Oakland where passengers transferred to San Francisco Bay ferries, began running trains into San Francisco over the Bay Bridge. During the two years leading up to this service expansion a total of 88 two-car articulated interurban trainsets were built for through operation over the Bay Bridge. The first 23 cars to be built, numbered 165-187, were constructed with all modern components while the remaining 60 cars were constructed with parts stripped from older scrapped interurban cars. Car 182 was one of 37 that were actually owned by the California Toll Bridge Authority, and when Key System abandoned Bay Bridge service in 1958 the cars owned by the Authority were not scrapped but were held for resale. Car 182 was bought in 1959 by KRRA, which intended to move it to southern California but was unable to come up with sufficient funds to do so. In 1964 it was transferred to WRM's site in Rio Vista, and later was donated by KRRA to WRM. Car 182 has been preserved in its end-of-service "fruit salad" color scheme and is used regularly at WRM.
Ownership History:Key System #182 1937-1958 / 1st preserved by Key Route Railway Association 1959-1964 / Western Railway Museum(Rio Vista, California) 1964-present
Facts and Figures
| Status:operated often | Gauge:4'8.5" |
| Construction:steel | Roof type:AR | Ended:DE |
| Length:110'6" | Width:8'10" | Weight:138890# |
| #Seats:140 | #Wheels/Conf.:12 (B-2-B) | Total HP:420 |
| Trucks:Commonwealth | Brakes:AMM (M24D) | Compressor:CP-28 (2) |
| Motors:WH 555C6 (4) | Voltage (if not 600DC): |
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