Pullman Passenger Car Built for Thomas Edison's Experimental Electric Railway, 1880

Summary

This coach ran on Thomas Edison's experimental narrow gauge electric railway, operated at Menlo Park in 1880. While modern electric railways feed power to the locomotive via an overhead line or a separate third rail, Edison's locomotive drew current directly from the track, not unlike a toy electric train set. This car was equipped with an innovative electro-magnetic braking system.

This coach ran on Thomas Edison's experimental narrow gauge electric railway, operated at Menlo Park in 1880. While modern electric railways feed power to the locomotive via an overhead line or a separate third rail, Edison's locomotive drew current directly from the track, not unlike a toy electric train set. This car was equipped with an innovative electro-magnetic braking system.

Artifact

Passenger car (Railroad car)

Date Made

1880

Creators

Edison, Thomas A. (Thomas Alva), 1847-1931 

Place of Creation

United States, New Jersey, Edison, Menlo Park 

Creator Notes

Made at Thomas Edison's laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

29.1980.630

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of the Edison Pioneers.

Material

Iron (Metal)
Wood (Plant material)

Related Content

Connect 3

Discover curious connections between artifacts.

Learn More