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Yesterday on Wikimedia Commons I found these three photos of Northern Electric's demonstration car 90. They were apparently published around 1912 in PACIFIC SERVICES MAGAZINE, a Pacific Gas & Electric Company promotional journal. They were not cataloged with key words "Northern Electric", which is why they didn't come up in an earlier searches for SN-related subjects.

The photos were screened and printed on cheap paper, so the quality is not great. I would love to know if the originals exist in some PG&E archive. Imagine the goodies such a collection might?contain. Just as an example, PG&E once owned much of the non-SN/CCT streetcar operations in Sacramento.

NE 90 was an 1895-vintage PRR baggage car that the Northern Electric acquired in 1907 for milk, baggage and express service. It was usually hauled on the rear of passenger trains. In 1912 the car was converted to a rolling exhibit for PG&E to promote electrification. The car was frequently displayed at fairs and other public events in cities served by the Northern Electric. At some unknown date the car was downgraded to MW service and renumbered MW 912, though for what purpose I do not know (perhaps a bunk car?). This probably occurred before 1922, as blower car MW 913 was converted to MW that year. According to AFE 39-32 of 9-1-32, the car was written off, though it is noted that MW 912 had already been scrapped in 1927. MW 912 is conspicuously missing from the 1928 ICC evaluation list in my collection.

More about this car can be found on page 46 of Swett's CARS OF SACRAMENTO NORTHERNand on page 265 of Demoro's SACRAMENTO NORTHERN.

Yours Aye,

Garth Groff ??

It is also possible that PG&E's archives are in the hands of some university, museum or library. A lot of companies have unloaded their history files in recent years, possibly to save money or to avoid having to deal with researchers. And inquiry to the company might answer questions about access or if the materials have been donated.

Yours Aye,

Garth Groff ??