Hello all;
Some time ago I saw some photos of what seemed to be a tourist trolley line in Detroit,MI, or at least in its close vicinity, with some Brill Trolleys (actually most were just Brill lokalikes built in Lisbon Portugal between 1924 and 26, but with Brill engines). Anyone knows what happened to this line and its trams? At least one of these cars was an open bench dating from 1901 (it is actually the only one, and as its companions it also came from Lisbon, in 1975, but this one is a 'genuine' Brill).
I remember the line, downtown only, narrow gauge, sporadic operation. I believe some street and sidewalk changes doomed the line about 20 years ago after a fairly short life. Also, I would be interested in learning what happened to the cars.
As far as I know, 5 to 6 closed bench cars were acquired from Lisbon's 'Companhia Carris de Ferro de Lisboa, CCFL, in the late seventies. These belonged to the locally built 508 to 531 series (there's at least another of these in the US, car 531 that's owned by the Lake Superior Transportation Museum in Duluth, MI), with one of them being used as parts donor. I believe these cars were renumbered #1 to #6.
Also acquired was car #247 an original open bench built to CCFL specs by J.G.Brill and delivered in June 1901. This car went to Detroit in 1975 and kept (better said it was renumbered back to its original number, since it was being used in its original network as works car #397).
In terms of gauge, maybe the line was built to 900 mm (2 1/2 inch), wich was the cars original.
As far as I know the cars have been stored since the operation ceased, but I would like to know more. Namely: where the cars are stored, if they're still stored.
´Meanwhile, I found some more info. Links below
http://www.railwaypreservation.com/vintagetrolley/detroit.htm
http://www.detroityes.com/mb/showthread.php?10141-Detroit-Citizen-s-Railway-Memories-and-Ideas
Apparently, 3 cars were restored (including openbench 247) and are stored somewere (would like to know where)
Found a video of the line, it's an interview with a motorman
Mario_v ´Meanwhile, I found some more info. Links below http://www.railwaypreservation.com/vintagetrolley/detroit.htm http://www.detroityes.com/mb/showthread.php?10141-Detroit-Citizen-s-Railway-Memories-and-Ideas Apparently, 3 cars were restored (including openbench 247) and are stored somewere (would like to know where)
Maybe they plan to regauge them and open Woodward's M1 streetcar line with them. A good idea.
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