When the East Boston Tunnel converted from trolley use to rapid transit cars, Pullman built 48 of these in 1924. When the Blue Line expanded out of the tunnels and towards Wonderland, these cars were overhauled and slightly modernized to stay in service with the "Golden Glow" headlight and pantographs added. Serve these cars did, reliably, for about 56 years, Seashore has 2 pairs of these, intact, though not running and in tough shape.

I can say my interest in trains started right on one of these cars as a young lad. These cars had everything going for a rail fan! The windows opened up and you could see it all in the tunnels, and hear the squeaks as you rode into Boston. The rail fan window gave you the same view as the motorman, and it was easy to watch the motorman operate the train as there was no locked compartment. The air compressors and motors had great sounds to them, and even though these cars were only 48.5 feet long, they had 3 doors on each side.
The seats were a contoured wooden bench, and frankly more comfortable than the Type 5 Siemens cars that operate on the Blue Line today. The abundant spring loaded porcelain strap hangers showed that there was plenty of room for everyone !

It was great to see these cars again, and hope one day these cars will be riding the rails again at Seashore !

Photographed by Jay Gadon, October 12, 2013.
Added to the photo archive by Jay Gadon, October 13, 2013.
Railroad: Seashore Trolley Museum.

Jay Gadon's awards:

» Contact the person who posted this photograph.