Key System 182



Facts and Figures


Current Number182
Railway RepresentedKey System
BuilderBethlehem
Built In1937
Builder's order id
Currently in (State)California
--(Locality)Rio Vista
Totally out of svc date1959
(Initial retirement date)1958
Car Typerapid transit car
-subtypetwo-car articulated set
-designation
Statusoperated often
More info
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionsteel
Roof typeAR
EndedDE
Length110'6"
Width8'10"
Height14'2"
Weight138890
#Seats140
#Wheels/Conf.12
Total HP420
TrucksCommonwealth
BrakesAMM (M24D)
CompressorGE CP28 (2)
ControlGE M (C6J)
MotorsWH 555C6 (4)
Voltage (if not 600DC)

Car 182 in operation at WRM in 2008
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jef/2429803427/

Car 182 in operation at WRM
Trains.com
photo: https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/TNG-Pumpkintrain-02.jpg
Car History by Frank Hicks


Key System 182
In 1939 the Key System, which had previously operated interurbans to Oakland where passengers transferred to San Francisco Bay ferries, began running trains into San Francisco over the Bay Bridge. During the two years leading up to this service expansion a total of 88 two-car articulated interurban trainsets were built for through operation over the Bay Bridge. The first 23 cars to be built, numbered 165-187, were constructed with all modern components while the remaining 60 cars were constructed with parts stripped from older scrapped interurban cars. Car 182 was one of 37 that were actually owned by the California Toll Bridge Authority, and when Key System abandoned Bay Bridge service in 1958 the cars owned by the Authority were not scrapped but were held for resale. Car 182 was bought in 1959 by KRRA, which intended to move it to southern California but was unable to come up with sufficient funds to do so. In 1964 it was transferred to WRM's site in Rio Vista, and later was donated by KRRA to WRM. Car 182 has been preserved in its end-of-service "fruit salad" color scheme and is used regularly at WRM.

Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Key System (California, Oakland)1821937 1958 NO NO
Key Route Railway Association 1959 1964 YES NO
Western Railway Museum (California, Rio Vista)1821964 present YES NO