A Oregon Electric passenger car that followed a powered combine car in a two-car consist, or sat in the middle of a three-car “Limited” configuration with the observation-parlor car or sleeper car at the rear of the train. Car 105 had motors, but no controllers, so it acted as a powered trailer.

Ex-Oregon Electric car No. 105 reborn as the Oak Grove Diner.

Passenger service on the Oregon Electric ended in 1933. In January 1937, the body of No. 105 was sold and became the Oak Grove Diner at 14715 SE McLoughlin Boulevard, fondly remembered by many old-timers in the district. The original seats were removed and a counter installed along the length of the car. The kitchen — wisely — was in an adjoining structure behind the car. The diner operated until 1964, when it was listed for sale on the condition the car was removed from the site.

Interior of the diner, showing the long counter and storage shelves built into the car windows behind it.

It was purchased by the Vernonia, South Park & Sunset tourist steam railroad to use as a ticket office and waiting room at their Banks terminal. Many other ex-Oregon Electric cars were used by the railroad as rolling stock, so it was a reunion of sorts. When the railroad wound up operations in 1970, all of the operational cars were sold on to the Black Hills Central Railroad in South Dakota – but the body of No. 105 was left behind to rot. It was finally scrapped by the Banks Lumber Company in 1994.

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