Bamberger 127

Orange Empire Railway Museum

Built in:1932 by J.G. Brill Company (ord#22961)
Out-of-service/Retired:1953 (1952)
Type of car:interurban ("Bullet" car)
Current Owner:Orange Empire Railway Museum(Perris, California)
Car History by Frank Hicks


Bamberger 127
Some of the most distinctive interurban cars ever built were the Brill "Bullet" cars of the early 1930's. The first "Bullet" cars were built for the Philadelphia & Western in late 1931. They were the result of extensive wind tunnel testing conducted by the P&W under the direction of traction innovator Dr. Thomas Conway, and their streamlined shape allowed them to attain higher speeds while using less electricity. The design was sound but the failing market for interurbans meant only one other order for "Bullets" was ever built: five cars for the FJ&G built a year later. FJ&G 125-129, unlike the P&W "Bullets," were single-ended and designed for street-level loading. They operated on the FJ&G (at speeds up to 75mph) for only six years, though; 127 and its sisters were taken out of service in 1938 and then sold to the Bamberger, an interurban running between Salt Lake City and Ogden, UT. The Bamberger operated the five cars until it abandoned passenger service in 1952. A year later all five cars were sold to a pickle company, which used the bodies as storage sheds. Car 127 was rescued by OERM in 1971 and moved to Perris. Over the past decade restoration work on the car has included body work and remanufacturing trucks for the car; OERM plans to eventually make 127 operational.

Ownership History:Fonda Johnstown & Gloversville #127 1932-1939 / Bamberger #127 1939-1953 / 1st preserved by Utah Pickle Company 1953-1971 / Orange Empire Railway Museum(Perris, California) 1971-present


Facts and Figures


Status:undergoing restorationGauge:4'8.5"
Construction:steelRoof type:AREnded:DE
Length:46'11"Width:9'0"Weight:42200#
#Seats:48#Wheels/Conf.:8 (B-B)Total HP:200
Trucks:Brill 89EBrakes: Compressor: 
Motors:GE 301 (4)Voltage (if not 600DC): 

PHOTO PHOTO