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NORM Collection
Rio de Janeiro Tramways Power & Light
Open Car # 1774
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Before air conditioning, a trolley without sides was the obvious solution to summer heat. Air
blowing through the speedy car was its “climate control” and the cars became appropriately
known as "Breezers". By the 1920s mechanical ventilation had made closed trolleys more
comfortable in summer and open cars in northern Ohio were relegated to memories. With America’s open trolleys long gone, preservationists turned to Latin America for examples of the type as the temperate climate there allowed them to remain in service for for many years. 1774 is one of a dozen such cars of this type brought to U.S. museums from Rio de Janeiro in 1965. It was built in the Rio de Janeiro Tramways' shops in 1912 and incorporates many Brill inspired features. The car was a part of two other museum's collections before coming to NORM.
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RdJL&P 1774 Specifications:
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Type:
Electric Street Car
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Description:
Single End, Double Truck, Deck Roof, Open Car
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Builder:
Rio de Janeiro Tramway, Light & Power Company, Rio de Janeiro
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Year Built:
1912
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Retired:
1962
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Aquired by NORM:
2007
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Dimensions:
Length: ft. in., Width: ft. in., Height: ft. in.
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Weight:
39,683 lbs.
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Seats:
65, Full Width Bench
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Trucks:
Shop
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Lines Served On:
Rio de Janeiro Tramway, Light & Power Company
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Click an image to
enlarge it
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This photo shows sister car 1794 in service in Rio de Janeiro. (Museum Collection)
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This photo shows 1774 along with another car of the same type at Mt. Union, PA in 1965. (Museum Collection)
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 This photo shows 1774 shortly after it arrived at the Museum. (S. Heister)
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 This photo taken in November of 2009 shows 1774 temporarily spotted outside the Bennet Carhouse for a car move. (S. Heister)
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 1774 keeps CH&D steel combine 105 company in the McCarthy Carhouse in August of 2010. (B. C. Gage)
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Last Updated 01/13/2012
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