In 1953, Detroit City Railway horsecar #73 was photographed outside the Woodward carbarn, apparently whole but dilapidated. Does anyone know whether it exists now or any details of its disposition? Thanks. Bob Reich, Seashore Trolley Museum.

RJReich@aol.com

I'll need to look this up but I'm fairly sure that that horsecar no longer exists. It became a "victim of neglect." I have a couple of books on Detroit's streetcars and I remember reading something about a horsecar. I should have more info tomorrow afternoon.

wbaoffice@ameritech.net

After looking over the books "Detroit's Street Railways Vol. 1 - 1863-1922 & Vol. 2 1922-1956," this is what I found: In Vol. 1 a caption says that horsecar #73 "...was allowed to deteriorate in the Highland Park years." In Vol. 2 it says that the car is Circa 1872. #73 appeared in a parade on January 8, 1931 to introduce to the public Timken-Detroit Axle Company developed trucks for their Peter Witts. It indicated that s small number of other horsecar were used in this parade but doesn't give their numbers or dispositions. I case you're interested, the book also says that the Department of Street Railways (DSR) had to trade a scrapped Birney body for #73 and that the DSR restored it. It was being used a shoemaker's shop on Helen Avenue.

As for other horsecars used by the DSR and its predecessors, the book indicated that there are virtually no surviving records of the cars and their numbers.

The books don't say that horsecar #73 was scrapped, but I still think it's gone. If is still exists, somebody is keeping it secret and probably should be working for the CIA.

I hope that helps. If I find any new information, I'll let you know.


wbaoffice@ameritech.net

I will ask the authors of the DSR books and find out what "new" info they may have on this horsecar. and then post here.

> After looking over the books "Detroit's
> Street Railways Vol. 1 - 1863-1922 &
> Vol. 2 1922-1956," this is what I
> found: In Vol. 1 a caption says that
> horsecar #73 "...was allowed to
> deteriorate in the Highland Park
> years." In Vol. 2 it says that the car
> is Circa 1872. #73 appeared in a parade on
> January 8, 1931 to introduce to the public
> Timken-Detroit Axle Company developed trucks
> for their Peter Witts. It indicated that s
> small number of other horsecar were used in
> this parade but doesn't give their numbers
> or dispositions. I case you're interested,
> the book also says that the Department of
> Street Railways (DSR) had to trade a
> scrapped Birney body for #73 and that the
> DSR restored it. It was being used a
> shoemaker's shop on Helen Avenue.

> As for other horsecars used by the DSR and
> its predecessors, the book indicated that
> there are virtually no surviving records of
> the cars and their numbers.

> The books don't say that horsecar #73 was
> scrapped, but I still think it's gone. If is
> still exists, somebody is keeping it secret
> and probably should be working for the CIA.

> I hope that helps. If I find any new
> information, I'll let you know.


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