Pacific Electric Express Car 1464 at Huntington Beach.
From Interurban Special # 37, page 570. 1459 – 1464. By Ira L. Swett, October 1965.
The six cars of the 1459 Class were the newest of the Portlands and the last to enter Pacific Electric service. It was a familiar Torrance sight for years to see these fine cars rusting away, either in the boneyard or in the old mill. In 1941, mounting freight caused by wartime production for allies brought about the decision to rebuild these cars into express cars.
The rebuilding was done in haste and took the easy way out; all doors were retained; upper colored windows lights were kept; side windows were merely given individual steel sheets where once passengers had looked out. In record time the six new express cars were ready for service.
Specifications:
Weight: 99,100 lbs.
Builder: Pullman, 1921
Old Numbers: O&C 213 – 218 respectively
Motors: Four General Electric 222-D (125 hp)
Gear Ratio: 20:56
Control: General Electric PC
Trucks: Baldwin 7’0, 36″ wheels
Brakes: Westinghouse AMU
All six cars were scrapped by Southern Pacific at the Alhambra Avenue shops in Los Angeles in April 1953. — Ira L. Swett, October 1965.
Pacific Electric Express Car # 1464 was photographed here at the Huntington Beach station sometime around late 1947 or early 1948. The freshly painted crossbuck provided a good clue as to when the photo was made. At its base there is a hand lettered date that reads 11-47, giving us an insight as to when this uncredited image was made. The car will finish its business in Huntington Beach and then continue southward to the Newport Beach station in Newport Beach. – Steve Crise 2024.
