Pullman Passenger Car Built for Thomas Edison's Experimental Electric Railway, 1880
Add to SetSummary
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)