The old bob-tail car.
By the immediate courtesy of the
Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities our frontispiece presents two
Medford antiquities, the older of which is fresh in our memory—the
Thomas Seccomb house.
But to many the so-called bob-tail car, by courtesy or modern
camouflage styled transfer, is a real antique.
[p. 48]
In 1885 the
Middlesex Street Railway (or its successor), by the $8,500 aid of the town, rebuilt its track from the top of
Winter hill, and later up High Street to West Medford.
At the latter place there was much disappointment and not a little resentment, that in view of the heavy outlay no better car or service was furnished.
One of the indignant speakers at the meeting for town division voiced the same, saying, ‘Why!
yes, they
have given us the
bob-tail car.’
It was but little larger than the old omnibus first put on the road by
N. B. Cunningham, and later run by
Duncklee and
Grimes, till in its decrepitude it gave way to the new-comer in 1885.
We regret that the photo of that which its proprietor once had taken has vanished, but are hoping it may yet be found, to be reproduced as of local interest.
But the bob-tail, unlike some of its contemporaries in other towns, boasted of
two horses and conductor, as well as the needful driver.
With patience and long-suffering the dear public endured the noisy rattle of its loose-fitting windows and its general run-downness, until the line extended to
Everett and, electrified, became the Crosstown.
Mr. Haddock was the conductor of this pioneer car, leaving the same for his present position as city employee.
