Detroit Street Railway 3865

Illinois Railway Museum

Built in:1931 by St. Louis Car Company (ord#1540)
Out-of-service/Retired:1954
Type of car:streetcar (Peter Witt)
Current Owner:Illinois Railway Museum(Union, Illinois)

Car History by Frank Hicks


Detroit Street Railway 3865
This "Peter Witt" type streetcar was part of Detroit's last order for conventional streetcars. It operated virtually until the end of Detroit streetcar service in 1954, after which it was acquired by the Detroit Historical Society. DHS owned the car only briefly, for they discovered that it would not fit into their building! They then traded the car to the Henry Ford Museum for an assortment of oddities including spinning wheels and a cigar store indian. The car sat outside at the Ford museum site in Dearborn for years before a rebuilding effort commenced in the 1970's. The sides were replaced and the exterior was restored, but the interior and electrical components were never reassembled. The car was put on display until the Ford Museum deaccessed it in 1998. The car was bought by IRM, which put it on display.

Ownership History:Detroit Street Railway #3865 1931-1954 / 1st preserved by Henry Ford Museum 1954-1998 / Illinois Railway Museum(Union, Illinois) 1998-present



Facts and Figures


Status:displayed inoperableGauge:4'8.5"
Construction:steelRoof type:AREnded:SE
Length:48'6"Width:8'6"Weight:37200#
#Seats:52#Wheels/Conf.:8 (B-B)Total HP:140
Trucks:St Louis M66Brakes:SME (M28)Compressor:CP-27
Motors:GE 265 (4)Voltage (if not 600DC)

PHOTO PHOTO