The Pacific Electric 00199 is a service car used to grind the corrugations from the railhead that result from the use of the electromagnetic braking system used on the systems PCC cars.  Originaly car 1001 (Click here to see), the car was converted for this service by Torrance shops, where the interior seats were removed, and large tanks of coolant were installed on their place.  The trucks on the enclosed end of the car were modified, adding a special pair of grinding shoes that were pressed down upon the railhead.  The car would find a spot of corrugation, lower it's grinding shoes, and proceed to move back and forth until the head of the rail was ground smooth.  This car was the only car from the 1000 class to survive scrapping.  Due to it's use as a service car, it escaped a firey end, and lasted long enough to be purchased by railfan Walter Abbenseth, longtime employee of the PE, and preserved by the Orange Empire Railway Museum.  Today, the car has an easy life, residing inside of barn 2, awaiting rebuilding of it's traction motors.

Photo:  Unknown

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