Interurban Car 1231

BCER 1231 in Ontario Street Station - photo courtesy Selena Garcia

Tram 1231 was built in 1912 by the St. Louis Car Company and was part of the large fleet of interurbans operated by the British Columbia Electric Railway on its Greater Vancouver - Fraser Valley interurban electric railway system. This car was acquired by BC Transit from the Provincial Museum in June, 1991. When acquired, tram 1231 was in a state of significant disrepair. Immediately thereafter, BC Transit commenced a tram restoration project with work performed primarily by a team of local volunteers. The restoration project was terminated prior to completion in April, 1992.

The City of Vancouver decided to fund the continuation of work on 1231 and to pay for its move back to Vancouver on completion of this work.

Once the agreement was signed, work began again on April 14, 1997 with essentially the same group of volunteers - Bill and Shirley Bailey, Norm Smith, and Gordon Hatch. The volunteer group now includes Gordon Ells, and Doug Parker, former operating superintendent of the Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Gordon Ells was one of the electricians who did the earlier work on 1231 but in the five year gap had retired, and came back to work on the car but this time as a volunteer.. The work force included four professional cabinetmakers and a furniture finisher, all paid. The cabinetmaker in charge was Karen Robertson who worked on the car during its first five years. The other cabinetmakers are John Dowdy, Doug White, Dave Carter, and Pierre Gagnon. The negotiations were carried out by Bill Bailey and Norm Smith. Since the cabinetmakers are there every weekday along with two or more volunteers, work is progressed very rapidly.

When the project shut down owing to funds being no longer available five years ago, a lot had been accomplished. New pillars had been made, windows had been constructed along with seats, and the big steel side plates had been replaced. The motors and other major electrical equipment had also been redone, since the goal was to have an operating car. The end with the air brake governor had been completed externally, and some painting had been carried out. Material for blinds for the windows based on the original pattern had been purchased, and the blind operating mechanisms had been rebuilt.

Once work began again, Gordon Ells, the electrician began wiring the car and replacing wire that needed it, and is now working on the operating systems.The second end of the car has been completed externally, woodwork on the first end's vestibule has been completed as well as all four trap doors over the steps. The second set of steps has been installed, the windows have been fitted along with the window sills and exterior facing strips on each pillar. All brass items have been restored or replaced. The letterboards have been installed all the way around the car, and work is just about completed on the interior and vestibule bulkheads.Air signals, etc. have been installed in the car vestibules.The major work to date is probably the construction of the second end. Roof canvas, trolley pole bases, and roof mats are in place, and a great deal of painting has been done.

The car was moved to Vancouver in the fall of 1997, and stored in the Cambie Works Yards. When funding for the entension of the DHR to Science World were approved in the spring of 1999, the remaining eletrical and mechanical work to get the car operating was completed by city staff.

In August of 1999, all major work was completed and the car became operational on the DHR.

CAR SPECIFICATIONS

Construction: Composite wood and steel

Length: 50 feet, 8 inches

Width: 8 feet, 7 inches

Height: 14 feet

Weight: 70800 lbs.

REQUEST FOR SPONSORS

Please join with The Transit Museum Society and the City of Vancouver to become a promoter of this exciting venture that displays the past and looks forward to the future. Special recognition is available for major sponsors. Tax receipt issued upon request.

Many TRAMS souvenirs are available for sale featuring DHR interurbans.