Key System 187




Facts and Figures


Current Number187
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 occasionally
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 187 in operation at WRM in 2010
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fototak/7578998528/

Car 187 in operation at WRM in 2017
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bayarearailfan/37690394422/

Car History by Frank Hicks


Key System 187
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 187 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 187 was bought in 1959 by a chapter of the Locomotive & Railway Historical Society, which used it for some time on diesel-hauled excursions. Afterwards the car was placed into storage, and in 1987 car 187 was donated to WRM. It was moved to the museum's site in 1988 after which it was restored to operational condition and painted in its as-built orange and silver color scheme. It is used on occasion at WRM.


Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Key System (California, Oakland)1871937 1958 NO NO
Pacific Coast Chapter, Railway & Locomotive Historical Society (California, Sacramento)1959 1988 YES NO
Western Railway Museum (California, Rio Vista)1871988 present YES NO


Additional Media

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Car 187 in operation at WRM in 2007
YouTube
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR5k9v7Gwa0