California’s
mild climate was the inspiration for this unique style of streetcar. Known
as a “California Car”, it features an enclosed passenger compartment
in the middle with open sections on either side. This same configuration
was used by electric railways throughout the state, including the Pacific
Electric and L.A. Railway.
The Bakersfield & Kern began trolley operations in 1901 on a two
mile line between Bakersfield and the S.P. depot at Kern. Number 4 was one
of the line’s four original cars. Its single truck is powered by only
one motor, and it uses only hand-brakes for stopping. It survived until
the end of trolley operations in 1941 because it had been converted into a
service car following a collision with a Santa Fe steam engine in 1912.
A
teen-aged Frank Dupuy purchased the car from the B&K in 1942 and had
it moved to his grandfather's backyard in Alhambra where he and his family
lived. It was acquired by the Museum in 1959 in
extremely poor condition, with major portions of the carbody missing. The
like-new appearance of the car today is due to the painstaking restoration
work performed by Museum volunteers Joe and Norma Webber. Using the
remaining pieces as patterns, almost all of the original wood was replaced
to recreate the car’s original appearance.
Links:
B&K History from Bakersfield.com website
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Additional Photos: |
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| B&K 4 on display in front of the Abbenseth Carhouse in October 2009 - John Smatlak Photos | ||
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In service 1900s OERM Collection |
Bakersfield trolley postcard | In use as a work car on the B&K, circa 1940. OERM Collection |
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Moving to Frank Dupuy's backyard in 1942 OERM Collection |
Frank Dupuy posing with his newly acquired trolley OERM Collection |
One whole side of the car was missing when acquired in 1942. OERM Collection |
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| Interior of the restored car | Frank Dupuy posing with the car in 2010 | Frank inspects the restored interior |
Page updated 4/26/10
