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Key System 182

Key System 182 along the museum right-of-way. Key System 182 along the museum right-of-way. Jim Ward Photo

Description

Key System 182 is a three-truck, two-car articulated all steel Unit designed and built to run over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. It has an arched roof and large fixed windows.

History

These cars ran in trains across the Bay Bridge and in East Bay streets from 1939 to 1958. This car is currently configured in the early Pacific City Lines (post 1948) appearance. Later the roofs were painted a light brown to help hide dirt on the roof. Bay Bridge service replaced ferryboat service from the East Bay to San Francisco in 1939. These units ran in trains of up to 7 units on five lines in the East Bay. They are equipped with coded cab signals and speed control. Some units were built using equipment from older Key System cars. All three of the Museum’s Units were made mostly from new equipment. In 1936 Key System entered into an agreement with the California Toll Bridge Authority in return for funds to provide cab signals, train stop equipment and other modifications for operation across the Bay Bridge. The 182 was one of these cars deeded to and passed to the Authority on abandonment of service in 1958.

  • Vintage Photo: Vintage Photo
  • Vintage Caption: Key Syetem 182 and 145 in the East Bay Terminal in San Francisco [BAERA 8303]
  • Owners: Key System 182. Pacific City Lines.
  • Technical Data: Articulated steel suburban car. Built by Bethlehem Shipyard, Willington, De in 1937. Seats: 140. Weight: 137,625 pounds.
  • Trucks: Commonwealth. Wheels, 34-inch diameter. Axle. Journals, 5 X 9 roller bearing. Traction motors, 4-105 horsepower @ 600 VDC, inside hung.
  • Air Brake Equipment: Westinghouse Traction Brake, AMM. Motorman’s valve, M24D. Triple valve, M2D. Brake cylinders, two 14 X 12, one on each car. Clasp type. Dead man on controller. Air compressor, General Electric CP-28, one on each car.
  • Dimensions: Width, 8’ 10”. Length over buffers, 110’ 6”. Height. Truck centers. Truck wheelbase, 80”.
  • Propulsion Equipment: General Electric type M and Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Co. traction motors. Master controller, General Electric C6J. Switch group, General Electric DB 260. Traction motors, WE&MCo. 555C6. Traction gearing, bull 57, pinion 18, ratio 3.167 to 1, ? face. Control switch, MS-46. Power resistors, Edge wound ni-chrome. Motor Generator, GMG-131.
  • Misc Data: Couplers, Tomlinson hook style with bottom mounted button type electric portion. Heaters, Consolidated Car Heating. Pantograph, Westinghouse S-529. Third rail shoe. Air horn and air bell.
  • Current Condition: This car is complete and operational. It is in good condition.
  • Proposed Future Treatment: Maintain in current condition.
  • Date Last Modified: Saturday, 04 June 2011
  • Additional Photo 1: Additional Photo 1
  • Photo 1 Caption: Key 182 at the “Pumpkin Patch” along the Museum track. These trains are run every October.
  • Additional Photo 2: Additional Photo 2
  • Photo 2 Caption: Key 182 on A line PRW at 47th avenue, inbound, 9/5/1950 [BAERA 24609]
  • Additional Photo 3: Additional Photo 3

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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