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 Tram
1207 - The Steveston
History
- Car 1207 was built in New Westminster shops of BC Electric in 1905
- 15.2 metres (50') long, 4.3 metres (14') high, 2.6 metres (8'7") wide
and 32,000 kg (71,000 lb), and seats 56 passengers
- One of three cars specially dedicated to “new” Richmond line from
Marpole to Steveston. The other two were the “Richmond” and the “Eburne”
- The Richmond line was the second line of the Interurban System, following
introduction of the Central Park route from downtown Vancouver to New
Westminster via Burnaby
- #1207 operated on the routes from Marpole to downtown Vancouver (through
Kerrisdale), Marpole to New Westminster (along the river flats) and
downtown Vancouver to New Westminster, as well as from Marpole to Steveston
- Operated continuously from 1905 until February 28, 1958, the last
day of service on the last remaining route, the Richmond line.
- In 1958 the fare was 85 cents return from Vancouver to Steveston or
5 cents to ride between adjoining stations
- Car 1207 runs by a single overhead line supplying 600 volts DC to
two 75 hp series General Electric motors
- Saved from demolition by intervention of two rail fans from Seattle,
Dick Thrash and Byron Cole, who regularly visited Vancouver specifically
to ride, and occasionally on the last run of the night, operate, the
interurban
- #1207 was kept by the owners in Snoqualmie Falls from 1958 to 1989
- Arrangements made in 1989 to bring the car to Vancouver for refurbishing
and display, contemplating a long term period of display and operation
- Refurbishing done to historically accurate standards by volunteers
and BC Transit craft persons. Some improvements where materials of the
day superseded by better materials (i.e., paint, adhesives, etc.)
- Although originally intended to be just a cosmetic makeover, it was
decided to go further to make 1207 operational by rebuilding the motors,
brake system, wiring and controls
- BC Transit staff have worked with the owners and exhibitors to bring
#1207 back to the people she served for over 50 years.
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