Looking west on Lower Washington St. Shown is PCC streetcar 3001, the very first of a line of new “PCC” streetcars purchased by the Boston Elevated Railway Co. This car was the only car purchased from the St. Louis Car Co., all subsequent cars being purchased from the Pullman Co. In the rear, the ivy-covered fire station is visible. The waiting platforms in the photo were demolished in September 1938.

It is evident from the “No Stops” destination panel, and the fact that this car never ran on routes going through Brookline, that this is one of the demonstration/training runs conducted following the delivery of the car in May 1937. The car was given the nickname of “Queen Mary” and began regular service on June 24, 1937, running on routes that did not go underground as it only had doors opening on the right side. This car has been widely reported on by the enthusiast community and there is even a scale model available for purchase.