Birney (Toronto streetcar)
The Toronto Transit Commission(TTC) operated double end Birney streetcars from 1921-1940 and the smallest streetcar operated by the TTC.
The 25 Birney cars were acquired in the purchase of the Toronto Civic Railways (TCR) in the 1921 and used by the TTC mainly on routes acquired from TCR:
- COXWELL
- PARLIAMENT
- DAVENPORT
These cars were initially and very briefly on the BLOOR WEST and DANFORTH streetcar routes.
Sale of Fleet
The cars' service was short-lived with the TTC and sold in three batches:
- Three were sold in 1926 to Cornwall (Cornwall Street Railway Light and Power Company[1])
Subject to truck change, Cornwall Street Railway 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) - eight in 1927 to Halifax, Nova Scotia (Nova Scotia Tramways and Power Company)
- remaining fourteen in 1941, also to Halifax ( Nova Scotia Light and Power Company, Limited)
The 3 Cornwall cars were scrapped in 1949,[2] whereas the Halifax cars lasted until 1949 when streetcar service was abandoned in the city.[3]
TTC Birney Specifications
- Car Manufacturer: Preston Car Company, Preston, Ontario
- Years of Manufacturer: August 1920
- Fleet No.: 60-84 originally, 2216–2264, even numbers only, from May 1923.
- Fleet Size: 25
- Length: 28 ft 0 1⁄2 in (8.55 m)
- Weight: 17,080 lb (7,750 kg)
- Seating: 32 (standing 52)
- Motor (Motor car only): single truck (two Wheelsets)
- Track Gauge: 4 ft 10 7⁄8 in (1,495 mm)