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Vintage black-and-white photographic copy negative depicting United Electric Railways (UER) No. 1277, a historic wooden-bodied electric freight box motor associated with the Providence, Rhode Island, trolley system.
This excellent side-profile photograph shows the unusual self-propelled electric freight car, prominently displaying the lettering \"U.E. Rys. Co.\" and \"FREIGHT\" along its wooden carbody.
The cab end also features an advertising panel promoting trolley freight service, including the words \"USE TROLLEY FREIGHT\" and \"DEPENDABLE SERVICE.\"
Historical Significance:
United Electric Railways No. 1277 was a 32-foot electric freight box motor originally constructed by the Rhode Island Company in 1912.
Unlike conventional railroad freight cars, these specialized electric freight motors were self-propelled and equipped with trolley poles to draw electricity from overhead wires.
Such equipment played an important role in the movement of commercial freight over Rhode Island\'s extensive electric railway network.
Providence Public Library\'s historic photographic collections also document car No. 1277 near the Cranston repair shop in 1936.
The photograph provides an excellent opportunity to study the car\'s wooden construction, sliding freight door, operator\'s compartment, trolley poles, trucks, and original advertising lettering.
Photographic Details:
Railroad: United Electric Railways (UER)
Equipment Number: 1277
Type: Electric freight box motor
Builder: Rhode Island Company
Year Built: 1912
Location: Identified as Providence, Rhode Island area
Format: Black-and-white photographic copy negative
Dimensions: Approximately 4.5\" x 3.5\"
Original image date: photographic copy negative showing possible age-related handling marks, surface wear, and minor imperfections. Please examine the accompanying photographs carefully for overall condition and image quality.Slight smell due to age.
This is a physical photographic copy negative, not an original photographic print or modern digital reproduction. A positive image has been prepared to illustrate the subject.
An interesting historical negative for collectors of United Electric Railways, Rhode Island railroad history, Providence trolleys, electric freight motors, and early New England transportation photography.
