Boston Elevated Railway 5734

www.nycsubway.org

Built in:1924 by J.G. Brill Company (ord#21776)
Out-of-service/Retired:1959
Type of car:streetcar (lightweight semi-convertible) (Type 5A1)
Current Owner:Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority(Boston, Massachusetts)

Car History by Jack Naugler

Boston Elevated Railway 5734 The Boston "Type 5" streetcar was originally designed as a light weight car that could operated by a one or two man crew. "Type 5's" operated on BER and successor MTA until 1959. Boston originally had 471 of this type of car, built by four different car builders between 1922 and 1927. Car 5734 was part of the sixth order for Type 5's, officially designated Type 5A1. Cars 5700-5749 were ordered in March 1923 and 5734 went into service in March 1924. Car 5734, one of the last nine Type 5's, was retired when double ended PCC's were bought from Dallas to cover the three lines that had no turning loops. This is a typical "big city" car designed to move large numbers of people quickly, with its wide aisles, ramped floors and double doors. Although this type of car ran with one man crews for many years, they were never equipped with "dead man" controls typical of "safety cars" of this period. In its stead, Massachusetts laws required a passenger-operated Emergency Valve to be located in the passenger area, which performed the same functions (i.e. cutting the power, applying the brakes, and balancing the pressure on the door engines, so the doors could be opened manually). Car 5734 ran on the streets and, after 1950, into the subway. For subway service, the cars had Tomlinson couplers installed, so they could be towed if a breakdown occurred. In 1979, car 5734 was leased back to the MBTA by Seashore as part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Riverside line. 5734 has had its lease extended numerous times, being used periodically for fan trips and special events. Currently, 5734 is still in Boston, stored underground on a side track at the Boylston Street subway station.

Ownership History:Boston Elevated Railway #5734 1924-1947 / Boston Metropolitan Transit Authority #5734 1947-1959 / 1st preserved by Seashore Trolley Museum 1959-1979 / Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority(Boston, Massachusetts) 1979-present

Facts and Figures

Status:stored inoperable		Gauge:4'8.5"
Construction:steel	Roof type:AR	Ended:DE
Length:45'0"	Width:8'6"	Weight:31568#
#Seats:48	#Wheels/Conf.:8 (B-B)	Total HP:100
Trucks:Standard C35P	Brakes:SM3	Compressor:DH-16
Motors:WH 508A (4)	Voltage (if not 600DC):

Notes

Owned by Seashore Trolley Museum
PHOTO PHOTO