Phoenix Street Railway 116




Facts and Figures


Current Number116
Railway RepresentedPhoenix Street Railway
BuilderAmerican Car Company
Built In1928
Builder's order id1452
Currently in (State)Arizona
--(Locality)Phoenix
Totally out of svc date1948
(Initial retirement date)
Car Typestreetcar
-subtypesafety car
-designation
Statusstored inoperable
More info
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionsteel
Roof typeAR
EndedDE
Length39'11"
Width8'5"
Height11'0"
Weight30000
#Seats40
#Wheels/Conf.8
Total HP160
TrucksBrill 177E1X
Brakes[SME]
Compressor[DH-16]
Control[K-35]
MotorsGE 247 (4)
Voltage (if not 600DC)

Car 116 on display in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2016
PHX SUX
photo: https://phxsux.com/2016/06/14/rpm-orchestras-new-video-addresses-trolley-museum-closure/

Car 116 in storage in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2020
Facebook
photo: https://www.facebook.com/phoenixtrolley/photos/pb.100040630877161.-2207520000/10159099855209208/?type=3

Car History by Frank Hicks


Phoenix Street Railway 116
The city of Phoenix operated a small street railway system later than any other city in Arizona, until after World War II. By that time all service was held down by a fleet of 17 lightweight cars including car 116. Not standard Birneys, these cars were built to an American Car Company suburban car design. In October 1947 a carbarn fire destroyed all but six of the cars in the fleet, dooming the streetcar system. The last run was on February 17, 1948 with 116 (by then 508) leading the parade with a sign reading "Our Last Trip." Following retirement it was made into a dwelling in a Phoenix trailer park, where it remained until bought by a streetcar fan in 1975. Two years later ASRM was created for the purpose of restoring 116, which was done during the late 1980's and early 1990's using electrical and mechanical components salvaged from an abandoned Phelps-Dodge industrial operation. Car 116 is now capable of limited operation on ASRM's 300' line in downtown Phoenix, the only operational Phoenix streetcar.


Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Phoenix Street Railway (Arizona, Phoenix)1161928 1942 NO NO
Phoenix Street Railway (Arizona, Phoenix)5081942 1948 NO NO
Arizona Street Railway Museum (Arizona, Phoenix)1161977 present YES NO


Additional Media

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Tour of car 116 from 2017
YouTube
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=belRZeR_bnU&t=1s