| Pacific Electric Railway “Birney” 331 |
| Built: 1918 by the J.G. Brill Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Construction: Steel, Length 27’ 9”, Weight 14,700 lbs, Seats 32 |
Car 331 survives today because it was sold to MGM Studios in 1940. It appeared in such
movies as “Singing in the Rain” before coming to the Museum in 1966. During its career
on the Pacific Electric, 331 was assigned to local lines throughout the system, including
Redlands, where it made the last trip on the Smiley Heights line in 1936. Its last
assignment was in Pasadena.
The Birney Safety Car, named for its designer, was the street railway industry’s first
successful standard car design. Developed in response to a need for economical
equipment to use on lightly-patronized lines, the Birney could be operated by one man
serving as both motorman and conductor. This was made practical by the use of a
number of patented safety features, including controls which were designed to
automatically stop the car should the operator become incapacitated.
In addition to the significant savings in labor costs, the Birney’s light weight also reduced
wear on the track and offered substantial savings in power costs. The trade-off was that
their Spartan interiors and rough ride did little to attract new riders. Over 6,000 Birneys
were ultimately built for service throughout the country. PE owned 69.
movies as “Singing in the Rain” before coming to the Museum in 1966. During its career
on the Pacific Electric, 331 was assigned to local lines throughout the system, including
Redlands, where it made the last trip on the Smiley Heights line in 1936. Its last
assignment was in Pasadena.
The Birney Safety Car, named for its designer, was the street railway industry’s first
successful standard car design. Developed in response to a need for economical
equipment to use on lightly-patronized lines, the Birney could be operated by one man
serving as both motorman and conductor. This was made practical by the use of a
number of patented safety features, including controls which were designed to
automatically stop the car should the operator become incapacitated.
In addition to the significant savings in labor costs, the Birney’s light weight also reduced
wear on the track and offered substantial savings in power costs. The trade-off was that
their Spartan interiors and rough ride did little to attract new riders. Over 6,000 Birneys
were ultimately built for service throughout the country. PE owned 69.
| The above information can be observed on a placard inside Car 331 |
| (331 can be seen at its Orange Empire Railway Museum home in Perris, California) |
| Presented as a small gesture of appreciation to the Orange Empire Railway Museum Robert J. Birney - February 3, 2005 |