Corgi Vintage Bus Lines US55206
Birney Safety Car Diecast Model
Chicago Surface Lines, Destination Division/Austin, Chicago, IL | Limited Edition
2560
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:50 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Birney Safety Car | | 6" | | 2.25" |
In 1921, the Chicago Surface Lines took delivery of ten single-truck, double-end, single-door Birney Safety Cars, equipped with two trolley poles. These six cars were numbered 2000 through 2005 and were intended for the underlying company, Chicago Railways. They were the first modern one-man cars to operate in the city and were assigned to lightly traveled lines. But even in light service, they were considered unsatisfactory due to the bumpy ride. A complete list of the routes the Birney cars operated is impossible to find, as there is little photographic evidence from this era. They were known to operate on the West Division Street branch, 71st Street, 87th Street and likely on Noble Street and the West Pershing Road shuttle. The cars were repainted in the standard CSL red and cream colors, but were taken out of service upon the arrival of newer, sturdier cars and probably never ran again. They all went to scrap in early 1937.
Designed to provide frequent transportation service without the high labor and infrastructure costs of conventional streetcars, the Birney Safety Car was patented in 1917 and 1919. This small, light car was inexpensive to build and required only one operator, which saved transportation authorities the cost of hiring a conductor in addition to a motorman. Thousands of Birney cars were in service through the end of WWI, when their popularity began to decline because of growing public perception that they were "flimsy" (they could not travel in snowy conditions and their limited passenger capacity made them poorly suited for busy service). © Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:50 scale Birney Trolley car series features its chassis, loaded with a multitude of individual transparent windows, constructed entirely of diecast metal. The conductor controls are visible through the large windows located at each end of the car. When held to the light, a fully rendered passenger cabin and can be seen inside. The two spring-loaded pole bases rotate on top of the car with metal trolley poles that pivot and can be lowered into its catch for proper display. The underside features details of the braking system in diecast metal, metal track wheel and simulated wooden racks and bumpers at each end.
© Copyright 2003-2015 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Vintage Bus Lines" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of mass-transit vehicles.
Corgi "Vintage Bus Lines" diecast vehicles feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Detailed rotating wheels with rubber tires.
- Realistic panel lines and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
© Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
