Corgi Vintage Bus Lines US55205
Birney Safety Car Diecast Model
Fort Collins Municipal Railway, Destination City Park/Avery House | Limited Edition
2100
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:50 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Birney Safety Car | | 6" | | 2.25" |
The Fort Collins Municipal Railway began in 1919 when the city took over the small, three-route line that was started by the Denver & Interurban Railway in 1907. The city bought four Birney Safety Cars and began operating them in May 1919. Fort Collins had the distinction of being the smallest city in the nation with a streetcar system. The city finally abandoned the streetcars in June 1951, after which all but car No. 21 were sold to museums or collectors. This car was the first Birney to run in Fort Collins in 1919, and after sitting in the yard of the city museum for 25 years, it was restored beginning in 1977. It is now maintained and operated by the all-volunteer Fort Collins Municipal Railway Society. The Fort Collins Birney Trolley is owned by the Fort Collins Museum, Fort Collins, CO, USA www.fcgov.com/museum Here's another point of detail from Corgi - the limited-edition number is printed on the chassis of the bus. Also, note the limited-edition certificate shown below.
Designed to provide frequent transportation service without the high labor and infrastructure costs of conventional streetcars, the Birney Safety Car was patented in 1917 and 1919. This small, light car was inexpensive to build and required only one operator, which saved transportation authorities the cost of hiring a conductor in addition to a motorman. Thousands of Birney cars were in service through the end of WWI, when their popularity began to decline because of growing public perception that they were "flimsy" (they could not travel in snowy conditions and their limited passenger capacity made them poorly suited for busy service). © Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:50 scale Birney Trolley car series features its chassis, loaded with a multitude of individual transparent windows, constructed entirely of diecast metal. The conductor controls are visible through the large windows located at each end of the car. When held to the light, a fully rendered passenger cabin and can be seen inside. The two spring-loaded pole bases rotate on top of the car with metal trolley poles that pivot and can be lowered into its catch for proper display. The underside features details of the braking system in diecast metal, metal track wheel and simulated wooden racks and bumpers at each end.
© Copyright 2003-2014 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Vintage Bus Lines" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of mass-transit vehicles.
Corgi "Vintage Bus Lines" diecast vehicles feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Detailed rotating wheels with rubber tires.
- Realistic panel lines and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
