Passenger Trains > SEPTA trolleys at Elmwood Depot Saturday

I'll find out soon whether the subject of trolleys is acceptable on the Passenger Trains Discussion.  Elmwood Depot is on SEPTA's Route 36 in Southwest Philadelphia.
The white cars are Kawasakis from the early 1980's; the greens are Brookville-rebuilt PCC II's.

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The PCC II outside was for a charter: Super Saturday Streetcar Special XXVI.

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Hard to believe those cars are approaching their 40th birthday.  A testament to Kawasaki, and more so to the Mechanics at Elmwood that every single car delivered is still running in passenger service all 112. I don't think I know of any other fleet of vehicles that had every unit remain in service for 40 years.

Certainly acceptable to me!  I'm curious, though, about the 37 - Westinghouse destination sign, especially on a PCC which I thought only operated on 50 - Girard..  I can't recall ever having seen that.

Gordon



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/03/19 07:05 by gbmott.

The destination signs are programmable.  Note this photo at Yeadon Loop during Super Saturday Streetcar Special XXIV.

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Nice photos. Got to get back to Philly and take a ride!

I too love PCC cars and you can post as many as you desire.  
John in White Marsh, Maryland

I'm more than happy to see PCC shots on this board.

And I have a question about the Brookville rebuilt PCCIIs. I assume the cowling on the roof is part of airconditioning for the car???
I am intrigued by what look like small rounded corners on the car windows (reminiscent of the PAT trolleys). The PCCIIs are rebuilt from earlier PTC/SEPTA PCCs with square window frames. Were the window frames modified and if so why?

Thanks
WP17


chuchubob Wrote:
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> I'll find out soon whether the subject of trolleys
> is acceptable on the Passenger Trains Discussion.
>  Elmwood Depot is on SEPTA's Route 36 in
> Southwest Philadelphia.
> The white cars are Kawasakis from the early
> 1980's; the greens are Brookville-rebuilt PCC
> II's.

I'm unaware of any window modifications.  The intent was to keep the appearance as close to the original as practical, with the exception of the rooftop A/C.  Accordingly, the interior ceiling lights were preserved from the original PCCs and put back into the II's.

Prior to rebuilding the PCCs had sash windows that opened.  With the installation of AC new fixed insulated glass windows replaced the old ones.  Same overall dimension but the corners are rounded instead of square.

Gordon

re: Digital Destination Signs -
I love the convergence of old and new technology.
My fave?
Using a non-contact infrared thermometer to check journal temps on a steam locomotive!
...Lorenzo

Neat to see inside the shops!