running gear originally created for new-design streetcars. In addition to quick acceleration and braking (), the use of PCC technology meant that Bluebirds could share a significant part and maintenance base with the Brooklyn transit company's planned PCC trolley fleet, achieving economies of scale and efficiency. The Bluebirds were built by Clark Equipment Company of Battle Creek, Michigan, maker of PCC running gear. They were the only rapid transit cars ever built by Clark, and the only passenger rail equipment ever built by the company, other than one PCC streetcar. Fleet history Satisfied with tests on unit 8000, the BMT placed an order for an additional 50 units, which could replace 80 old elevated cars. However, the order was cancelled after the city government purchased the BMT in June 1940. The New York City Board of Transportation, already the operator of the Independent Subway System, was one of the most conservative transit operators in the United States, and had no interest in the former BMT's aggressive technology planning. Five more Bluebirds were in the process of construction at the time of cancellation, and the City decided to accept these, numbering them 8001–8005A/B/A1. They could not interoperate with unit 8000, which had no couplers or multiple unit trainline connections. Unit 8000 spent much of its service life on the Franklin Avenue Shuttle, home of many pieces of orphaned equipment, while units 8001–8005 operated regularly on the 14th St.–Canarsie Line. On occasion, they also operated in Brighton–Franklin Avenue Local service and on the Fourth Avenue Local. In those instances, it typically operated as an extra behind a regular interval. After delivery of the Bluebirds, New York City never again purchased any lightweight, articulated, or PCC-technology rail equipment, nor did it purchase equipment to sustain the elevated lines incapable of operating heavier subway cars. Most of the elevated lines were dismantled between 1938 and 1990. The single unit Bluebird 8000 was withdrawn from service for lack of available parts in 1945. The Bluebird train 8001–8005 continued in service until March 1955, replaced by the R16s. All of the Bluebird units, the single unit and the 5 unit train, were scrapped in 1957. References External links Excerpt from They Moved the Millions, with an image of a Bluebird car Table of BMT Pre-WWII Cars (including Bluebird 8000) 1938 in rail transport Articulated passenger trains Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation New York City Subway rolling stock Train-related