New Orleans Public Service, Inc. (NOPSI)
Car #832

Although the city once had an extensive operation, by 1964 only two streetcar lines remained in operation in New Orleans: Canal Street and St. Charles Avenue.  Early that year the decision was made to convert the Canal Street line to bus operation and retain the St. Charles line as a tourist attraction.  This freed 40 cars, most of which were scrapped.

Before scrapping the cars, New Orleans Public Service offered them to any interested group willing to pay the moving costs.  The compatibility of track gauge and the age and excellent condition of the equipment had moved the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum to express interest in obtaining one of these cars eight years before they became available.  Because of its long-standing interest, PTM was given first choice of the cars being retired.

Although car 832 was the first car built by the Perley A. Thomas Car Works of High Pont, North Carolina for NOPSI, the biggest reason for interest in this car was that in 1947 it had been featured in national magazines when Tennessee Williams' play "A Streetcar Named Desire" debuted on Broadway.  Three years later a magazine article identified 832 as the car regularly assigned to operation on the Desire line.  Although the Desire Street line quit operation in 1948, the play and movie continue to bring fame to New Orleans streetcars.  Sister car 922 was featured in the 1951 movie version staring Vivian Leigh and Marlon Brando; 922 is still assigned to the St. Charles line in New Orleans.

New Orleans 832 was delivered to the museum by railroad in July 1964 and was immediately placed into operation because our museum track is the same gauge as New Orleans.  NOPSI 832 is very similar in design to PRT 5326, having somewhat taller windows with no protective guards.

Today, car 832 continues on in the same way as its sister cars that still operate in New Orleans.  Designation on the National Register of Historic Places has made the New Orleans streetcars and the 160-year-old St. Charles line an operating museum much like ours.  Their fame makes our 832 an even more valuable piece of history which we are very proud to be able to display for you.

Click on the thumbnails below for larger photos (will open in new window):

832 on Canal Street (Photographer and Date Unknown)	832 on St. Charles line, Carrollton and Pine St. 2-13-62 (Stephen D. Maguire photo)	832 in dead line at Canal Station, 1964 (Wilbur T. Golson photo)	832 at Canal and White St. Last day used - 5-28-64 (O.A. Goessl photo)

Last updated October 17, 2005
All content copyright © 1996-2005, Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. All rights reserved.