Workers cut a hole in the side of the
Old Spaghetti Factory at 275 Fifth Ave - in the same location where the car
went in years before. The restaurant has been closed to make way for a
smaller Mediterranean-style restaurant.
Photo by Jim Price
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The Birney
streetcar, built in 1917, operated in Bellingham, Washington until 1938. In
1972, it arrived at the Old Spaghetti Factory. Nobody seems to know what
happened to the car between '38 and '72. While at OSF, the car was part of
the Dining Room and has been a part of San Diego.
The delicate process of moving the car
from the restaurant was handled by Superior
House Movers. Great job, guys!
Photo by Jim Price
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Sliding on rails placed on the floor,
the Birney makes it way through the wall and onto Fifth Ave in its early
morning travels on Feb 14, 2005.
Photo by Jim Price
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What was a dining area inside the restaurant emerges onto Fifth Ave for the
first time since 1972 as it
prepares for its move to National City.
Photo by Jim Price
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Workers raise the front of the car off
the ground as they prepare to place the front
Photo by Jim Price
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SDERA President Jim Price stands in front of the Birney car doorway just
after the front dolly was placed under the frame.
Photo from Jim Price
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Jacks raise the car in preparation for
rear dollies to assist in the move from San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter to its
new home in National City.
Photo by Jim Price
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Onlookers watch as the Birney car starts on its trek to the National City
Depot under the careful watch of Superior House Movers.
Photo by Jim Price
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Another view as the Birney prepares to
leave Downtown. The move was originally scheduled for the previous Friday
but heavy rain forced the cancellation of the move. Since the roof has holes
for ventilation and electrical connections, a dry day was a better choice!
Photo by Jim Price
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Home at last! SDERA's "new" streetcar arrives at the National City Depot
without incident. The car will stay at the depot while the SDERA decides on
the future of the car. Ideas have included a gift shop, cafe, or even
rebuilding it into a sightseeing trolley.
Photo by Jim Price
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The Birney car move gave the San Diego
Electric Railway association a great opportunity to highlight the group's
activities as local media covered the event. KFMB Channel 8 brought their
live truck to the depot to cover the delivery of the car. Other local
stations and newspapers mentioned the group and our desires to restore the
car.
Photo by Jim Price
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Channel 8's reporter took video from inside the depot's Passenger Waiting
Room.
Photo by Jim Price
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KFMB reporter Carlo Cecchetto stands on
Bob Recks' replica handcar at the National City Depot. This great prop was
ideal material to highlight SDERA and the Depot!
Photo by Jim Price
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Maybe it's a good thing that Bob Recks had his handcar chained down to keep
this reporter from becoming news himself!
Photo by Jim Price
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Now at its new home in the National City
Depot parking lot, this historic streetcar awaits word of what its future
will hold. Covered to protect it from the elements, this newest part of the
SDERA collection will require lots of work to make it whole again. The
running gear, controls, and trucks are gone - replaced by decorative but
useless fake wheels. The roof will need to be rebuilt and windows replaced.
Photo by Jim Price
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