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Key System 1201

Key System 1201 on the museum right-of-way. Key System 1201 on the museum right-of-way.

Description

Key System 1201 is a wooden, double-end, double-truck, arch-roof, car built for the California Railway as a coach. It was converted by the Key System into a line car with a telescoping tower. The Key System cut baggage doors in the sides on diagonal ends, which is an unusual arrangement.

History

Car 1201 was built by the Carter Brothers Car Company of Newark, California in 1895. It was built as a coach for the California Railway as their car number 21 to be pulled by steam locomotives for operation between Oakland and San Jose. The car was acquired by the San Jose and Oakland Terminal Railway in 1915 and was motorized and converted by the Key System into a line car. It was used by the Key System to maintain their trolley wire until the end of electric operation in 1958. The Museum acquired the car in 1958.

  • Vintage Photo: Vintage Photo
  • Vintage Caption: Key 1201 at Yerba Buena yard. NCL colors. (1957) [BAERA 18762]
  • Owners: Key System 1201. California Railway 21. San Jose & Oakland Terminal.
  • Technical Data: Wooden line car. Built by, Carter Brothers Car Company of Newark, California in 1895. Weight.
  • Trucks: Brill 27 A. Wheels, 33-inch diameter. Axle. Journals, 3 3/4 X 7 plain bearings. Traction motors, 4-40 horsepower @ 500 VDC, inside hung.
  • Air Brake Equipment: Westinghouse Traction Brake, SWA. Motorman’s valve, G6. Straight air valve, Christensen Engineering Company. Triple valve, H-46. Double check valve, #14. Brake cylinder, 8 X 12. Air compressor, two General Electric CP-27.
  • Dimensions: Width, 9’ 0”. Length over pulling faces 44’ 8”. Height, 14’ 0”. Truck centers, 26’ 6”. Truck wheelbase, 72”.
  • Propulsion Equipment: General Electric type K. Controller, K-6. Traction motors, 4- GE-70. Power resistors, GE type CG.
  • Misc Data: Couplers, Gould MCB knuckle. Trolley wheel, 6” More Jones. Trolley base, one US 13. Pantograph, Westinghouse S-529. Whistle, Westinghouse trombone.
  • Current Condition: This car is in good condition. One traction motor has a grounded armature and the car is not operational. There is some deterioration of the under frame.
  • Proposed Future Treatment: This car needs to be restored to operating condition.
  • Date Last Modified: Saturday, 04 June 2011
  • Additional Photo 1: Additional Photo 1
  • Photo 1 Caption: Key 1201 in YP shop yard. Light gray with black lettering and trim, May 5, 1946. [BAERA 24607]
  • Additional Photo 2: Additional Photo 2
  • Photo 2 Caption: Equipment Plan

Hours

Year Round
Saturdays & Sundays
10:30 am – 5:00 pm


Summer Hours (May 27 - September 1)
Thursdays (Interurban Train Rides)
10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Fridays (Guided Walking Tours Only)
10:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Hours may vary at any time due to weather and/or the availability of our volunteers.


Closed Holidays
Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, New Years Day

Museum Location

5848 State Highway 12
Suisun City, CA 94585

(707) 374-2978

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