Birmingham Railway and Electric Company
Encyclopedia
The Birmingham Railway and Electric Company was both a street car
and electricity provider in Birmingham, Alabama
.
Created in 1890 after the consolidation of several street railway operators, including the Birmingham Street Railway
:
In 1940 BREC became Birmingham Electric Company.
The company faced increased pressure from car after World War II and ridership declined. By the 1950s streetcar operations gave way to bus service in the city. Forty-seven streamlined PCC streetcar
s, which went into service in 1947, were sold off to the Toronto Transit Commission
in 1953.
BEC changed their name to Birmingham Transit Company in 1951. In 1972, the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority took over public transit operations.
plant in Worcester, Massachusetts
. The interiors were three shades of green with coffee-colored leather upholstery, stainless steel seat backs and chrome trim. The cars went into service on August 31, 1947. The exterior color scheme was updated to navy blue skirts with cream above, separated by a scarlet stripe.
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
and electricity provider in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
.
Created in 1890 after the consolidation of several street railway operators, including the Birmingham Street Railway
Birmingham Street Railway
The Birmingham Street Railway was a streetcar operator in Birmingham, Alabama from 1884 to 1890. It merged along with several other companies to form the Birmingham Railway and Electric Company in 1890.-References:*...
:
- Highland Avenue and Belt Railroad 1885-1890
- East Lake Land Company 1886-1890
- East Birmingham Land Company 1887-1890
- Bessemer and Birmingham Railroad 1887-1890
- Enselt Company 1887-1890
In 1940 BREC became Birmingham Electric Company.
The company faced increased pressure from car after World War II and ridership declined. By the 1950s streetcar operations gave way to bus service in the city. Forty-seven streamlined PCC streetcar
PCC streetcar
The PCC streetcar design was first built in the United States in the 1930s. The design proved successful in its native country, and after World War II was licensed for use elsewhere in the world...
s, which went into service in 1947, were sold off to the Toronto Transit Commission
Toronto Transit Commission
-Island Ferry:The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.-Gray Coach:...
in 1953.
BEC changed their name to Birmingham Transit Company in 1951. In 1972, the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority took over public transit operations.
1950s
In addition to a variety of older cars kept in service, BEC ordered 47 PCC streetcars, at a cost of $25,000 each, from Pullman Standard in 1947. Birmingham's cars were the 17425 model manufactured at the Osgood BradleyOsgood Bradley Car Company
The Osgood Bradley Car Company manufactured railway passenger cars and streetcars in Worcester, Massachusetts.-History:The company was founded in 1822 to manufacture stagecoaches and sleighs. The company's first railway passenger cars were built for the Boston and Worcester Railroad in 1835. ...
plant in Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
. The interiors were three shades of green with coffee-colored leather upholstery, stainless steel seat backs and chrome trim. The cars went into service on August 31, 1947. The exterior color scheme was updated to navy blue skirts with cream above, separated by a scarlet stripe.