Many thanks to John Csoka, who has sent me information on the streetcar trailer shown above in Helana, Montana. I've known about this car's existence for a while, and guessed that it was probably an original car (albeit heavily restored/reconstructed) and not a replica, but it wasn't on the PNAER list because I never had any information on its history. Until now!
John relates information from the book "Montana Trolleys" that the car in question, whose number is uncertain, was built in 1890 by Brownell and is from the Helena Light & Railway 16-19 series. These four open car trailers were renumbered from 27 and 30-32 and lasted until around 1928, very near the end of streetcar service in Helena. This particular car, along with a single-truck closed car body, ended up on a farm north of Helena until a junkyard owner in Silver Star, MT bought both of them in the 1960s. He cosmetically restored this car, presumably to its current, generally sympathetic if not painstakingly accurate, appearance. Soon it found its way to a stint on display in Nevada City, probably at the then-new Alder Gulch Shortline tourist railroad. Sometime around 1974 (judging from the plaque affixed to the car) it was moved to its current location on the Last Chance Gulch pedestrian mall in Helena and it has been on display here ever since. The photo above, taken by John, shows the car's current appearance.
I'm glad to add this car to the list, even if its precise identity isn't known. There are several preserved cars on the list whose fleet numbers aren't certain, but if I know who built them, when, and for whom, I'm satisfied that there's enough information to include them. This car is pretty historic, as it's the oldest of just eight preserved Brownell cars. It's also one of just two cars from Helena - which brings me back to that junkyard owner in Silver Star. The closed car he bought is still around, too, and like this open car it appears to be owned by the City of Helena. It's HL&R 3, and last I knew - per this online article - it was undergoing restoration at Capitol High School. But there's been no update for 12 years now. Anyone know where it has ended up?
Hi Frank, Helena Trolley No. 3, made by the Cincinnati Car Company, is owned by Lewis and Clark Co. I am the Historic Preservation Office for the City of Helena & Lewis and Clark Co. The trolley was part of a restoration effort which ended with the death of George Hoff, the volunteer project coordinator, in 2009. While I've had some folks contact me about the project, no one has stepped forward to take the job on. The trolley is protected inside a building and is in a state of suspended animation. If you know of anyone who would be interested in taking this on, let me know. My email is pattardo@lccountymt.gov. -Pam Attardo
ReplyDeleteP.S. It is a 1909 model.
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