New Orleans Public Service 836
Built in:1923 by Perley Thomas (ord#119)
Out-of-service/Retired:1964
Type of car:streetcar (standard)
Current Owner:Connecticut Trolley Museum(East Windsor, Connecticut)
Car History by Jack Naugler
NOPSI Museum Cars General
Hundreds of streetcars operated in city service in New Orleans from the 1920's until 1964, when many of the city's streetcar lines, except for the St. Charles line, were discontinued in favor of buses. When this occurred, NOPS donated many of their excess cars to trolley museums around the country, keeping some of the latest cars (in the 900 series) for their continuing needs. The 800- and 900-series cars retired in 1964 are typical of city cars that were in use throughout North America from the 1920's through the 1940's. Their interiors are very spartan, having slat seats, bare interior side panels and no heaters. New Orleans continues to operate this type of car, many times rebuilt, to this day. One thing about this car that is not typical is that the seat backs have provisions for small signs that marked the separation between the "white" and "colored" sections of the car, a situation that was common in many southern cities in the early part of the 20th century due to "Jim Crow" laws.
New Orleans Public Service 836
Car 836 operated in city service in New Orleans from 1923 until 1965, when many of the city's streetcar lines, except for the St. Charles line, were discontinued in favor of buses. When this occurred, NOPS donated many of their excess cars to trolley museums around the country, keeping some of the latest cars (in the 900 series) for their continuing needs. CTM received car 836 in 1965 and it has been in nearly continuous use since then. This car had to be re-gauged from the 5' 2 1/2" gauge used in New Orleans to the 4' 8 1/2" standard gauge before it could be used at CTM. This car is typical of city cars that were in use throughout North America from the 1920's through the 1940's. The interior of 836 is very spartan, having slat seats and bare interior side panels. New Orleans continues to operate this type of car, many times rebuilt, to this day. One thing about this car that is not typical is that the seat backs had provisions for small signs that marked the separation between the "white" and "colored" sections of the car, a situation that was common in many southern cities in the early part of the 20th century. (i.e."Jim Crow" laws). Perley Thomas is the only electric car builder still in business, though today it builds buses.
Ownership History:New Orleans Public Service #836 1923-1964 / Connecticut Trolley Museum(East Windsor, Connecticut) 1964-present
Facts and Figures
| Status:stored operable | Gauge:4'8.5" |
| Construction:steel | Roof type:AR | Ended:DE |
| Length:47'8" | Width:8'4" | Weight:41148# |
| #Seats:52 | #Wheels/Conf.:8 (1A-A1) | Total HP:130 |
| Trucks:Brill 76E2 | Brakes:Straight Air | Compressor:CP-27 |
| Motors:WH 360CV4 (2) | Voltage (if not 600DC): |
Notes
Former 5'2.5" gauge
PHOTO
