Phoenix Street Railway 116

Arizona Street Railway Museum

Built in:1928 by American Car Company (ord#1452)
Out-of-service/Retired:1948
Type of car:streetcar (safety car)
Current Owner:Arizona Street Railway Museum(Phoenix, Arizona)

Car History by Frank Hicks


Phoenix Street Railway 116
The city of Phoenix operated a small street railway system later than any other city in Arizona, until after World War II. By that time all service was held down by a fleet of 17 lightweight cars including car 116. Not standard Birneys, these cars were built to an American Car Company suburban car design. In October 1947 a carbarn fire destroyed all but six of the cars in the fleet, dooming the streetcar system. The last run was on February 17, 1948 with 116 (by then 508) leading the parade with a sign reading "Our Last Trip." Following retirement it was made into a dwelling in a Phoenix trailer park, where it remained until bought by a streetcar fan in 1975. Two years later ASRM was created for the purpose of restoring 116, which was done during the late 1980's and early 1990's using electrical and mechanical components salvaged from an abandoned Phelps-Dodge industrial operation. Car 116 is now capable of limited operation on ASRM's 300' line in downtown Phoenix, the only operational Phoenix streetcar.

Ownership History:Phoenix Street Railway #116 1928-1942 / Phoenix Street Railway #508 1942-1948 / Arizona Street Railway Museum(Phoenix, Arizona) 1977-present



Facts and Figures


Status:displayed inoperableGauge:4'8.5"
Construction:steelRoof type:AREnded:DE
Length:39'11"Width:8'5"Weight:30000#
#Seats:40#Wheels/Conf.:8 (B-B)Total HP:160
Trucks:Brill 177E1XBrakes:[SME]Compressor:[DH-16]
Motors:GE 247 (4)Voltage (if not 600DC)

PHOTO PHOTO