Hollywood Cars in Portland, Oregon

By Ralph Cantos

In late 1952, the Portland Traction Co. was in desperate need for additional rolling stock. A deal was made with the Pacific Electric for 8 surplus Hollywood cars then stored at West Hollywood yard.

The future of about 65  unneeded  Hollywood cars was bleak at best in 1953. The 8 “lucky cars” were run through the Torrance paint shop and emerged in a sparkling Portland Traction scheme. The 8 cars were loaded at Torrance Shops onto flat cars and whisked away to Portland where the “new” cars were met with civic fanfare and positive  media coverage.

Unfortunately, the 8 cars that had been the “Pride of Portland Traction” had fallen from grace and were retired and scrapped after just 5 years of service. One car, Portland Traction #4022 (PE #680-#5069) escaped the scrappers torch, and now awaits restoration at the Seashore Trolley Museum.

The former PE #674 – PTC #4019 seem to be the “bad luck car” of the bunch. It was involved in at least 2 crossing accidents; the last one with a loaded logging truck was the final end to this once beautiful car.