For those interested in traction preservation documentation, the Preserved North American Electric Railway Cars (PNAERC) online roster has been updated:

http://www.bera.org/pnaerc.html

Along with a great deal of added data and corrected photo links, a new feature is a list of "mystery cars" about which we are seeking current information. This list is on the PNAERC home page and is sorted by state/province. If you have information on the disposition or current whereabouts of any of the cars listed, please send me an e-mail. Thanks!

Frank:

I have found the Preserved North American Electric Cars online roster to be a very valuable research source for electric railway museum practitioners such as me. Just two examples come to mind:
* How many single truck Birney bodies, either with or without running gear, still exist? I recall it's over 50! But only about 5 are in operating condition or operate on a regular basis.
* How many wood/steel composite construction single truck streetcars are preserved? Answer-about five with none of them in operating condition. Our Winona No. 10 will be the only example of this type of streetcar operating once it's restoration is complete in a few years.

You and Jeff Hackner of the Shoreline Trolley Museum in East Haven, Connecticut are to be commended for taking on this daunting task. I encourage all railway museums to check out their listing and send in corrections, additions, etc., so the database can be as accurate as humaly possible.

Thanks!