New Orleans Public Service 453



Facts and Figures


Current Number453
Railway RepresentedNew Orleans Public Service
BuilderAmerican Car Company
Built In1906
Builder's order id643
Currently in (State)Louisiana
--(Locality)New Orleans
Totally out of svc date1967
(Initial retirement date)
Car Typestreetcar
-subtypesemi-convertible
-designation
Statusstored inoperable
More info
Gauge5'2.5"
Constructionwood
Roof typeDR
EndedDE
Length40'6"
Width8'4"
Height11'8"
Weight42000
#Seats44
#Wheels/Conf.8
Total HP130
TrucksBrill 76E2
BrakesGE Straight Air
Compressor[GE CP27]
Control[K-36JR]
Motors[WH 306 (2)]
Voltage (if not 600DC)
NotesRebuilt to training car in 1940

Car 453 in storage at Carrollton Station in 2002
H. George Friedman, Jr.
photo: http://friedman.cs.illinois.edu/car453/Car453.htm

Car 453 in storage at Carrollton Station in 2009
H. George Friedman, Jr.
photo: http://friedman.cs.illinois.edu/car453/Car453.htm
Car History by Frank Hicks


New Orleans Public Service 453
The oldest preserved streetcar from New Orleans, 453 was originally constructed as a standard Brill-design semiconvertible for service on the Coliseum line. In 1917 it and the 24 other cars in its order were rebuilt by NOR&L. Flat panels replaced the original omnibus sides, the upper sash windows were fixed in place and the cars were renumbered to the 450-474 series. All members of the class were retired and scrapped in 1935 except for 453, which was assigned to Napoleon Yard as a training car. Initially it was operated around the yard by trainees, though it was later put up on blocks and used for the same purpose in a stationary position. In 1960, the car was already the oldest remaining on the system and a plan was hatched to use it in a publicity campaign centered around the 1951 movie "A Streetcar Named Desire." The motors and resistance grids were removed and the car was rewired for 120v AC. Plans fell through and the car was stored at Carrollton Station until 1967, when it was given to the LTDC and moved to a covered display in the French Market. During the mid-1970's it was moved outdoors and remained on display at the French Market until it was moved to the Mint sometime around 1980. In 1991 the car was reacquired by the transit agency, now NORTA, and was moved to Carrollton Station where it remains in storage.

Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
New Orleans Railway & Light (Louisiana, New Orleans)3031906 1917 NO NO
New Orleans Railway & Light (Louisiana, New Orleans)4531917 1922 NO NO
New Orleans Public Service (Louisiana, New Orleans)4531922 1967 NO NO
Louisiana Tourist Development Commission (Louisiana, New Orleans)4531967 1991 YES NO
New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (Louisiana, New Orleans)4531991 present YES NO