Author: Roger DuPuis II

Upcoming body work for SEPTA PCC 2168

Posted onAuthorRoger DuPuis II

Philadelphia PCC 2168 has become one of the most popular cars at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum since it went into public service there in 2009. However, the effects of more than 50 winters in the snow and salt of Philly’s winters are beginning to show on the 70 year old trolley.

Two areas where the salt has hidden near the floor line will be cut out, with new steel welded in, then primed and repainted. These needed repairs will cost $13,500 and will be done on site by an outside contractor, not museum volunteers.

We need about $2,500 more to cover the work. If you can help put, please send your donation to: Friends of Philadelphia Trolleys, P.O. Box 33397, Philadelphia, PA 19142. Please make sure that you mark your check for PCC 2168.

No donation is too small, and all will be appreciated.

FPT presents $5,000 donation to PTM for 8042 project

Posted onAuthorRoger DuPuis II

FPT Director Harry Donahue, at right, recently presented a check for $5,000 to Pennsylvania Trolley Museum Executive Director Scott Becker for the restoration of Philadelphia Transportation Co. 8042.

This donation will be double-matched by Washington County Cares and 20th Century Electric Rail.

PTM volunteers also have rebuilt 8042′ s controller as part of the work, as seen here.

The Many Faces of PCC 2168

Posted onAuthorRoger DuPuis II

Philadelphia Transportation Co. 2168 is seen working southbound along Route 47 on 6th Street in June 1967 (Jim Golhopher photo).

Today she’s a gleaming museum exhibit in Baltimore, resplendent in a beautiful recreation of SEPTA’s 1970s “Gulf Oil” paint scheme. But Philadelphia PCC car 2168 has had a long and colorful history — and more than one distinctive livery over the years.

Step aboard for a photographic trip through time on one of our favorite machines:

Less than a decade old, 2168 is seen at 17th & Lehigh, on Route 21 in 1956. This is the oldest photo we have seen of the car so far (ECTM collection).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s the banana car! 2168 is seen at Luzerne in March 1973, fresh from Courtland Shops in the short-lived yellow livery (Harry Donahue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We know not everyone loves the GOH scheme (though some of us do!) but we would be remiss if we didn’t show you a photo of 2168 wearing it. Harry Donahue captured the car northbound at 11th and Market in April 1987.

Yet another paint scheme! Here is Harry Donahue with the car in May 1995 when SEPTA’s Welcome Line service debuted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That Welcome Line paint scheme didn’t take long to fade, unfortunately. Here we see Matt Nawn with the car at Elmwood on the occasion of a 50th anniversary charter in July 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ten years later, a much different scene. Here is 2168 at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum during Crab Fest in July 2008. The exterior restoration had only just begun, but this marked the car’s first operation at BSM after re-gauging (Harry Donahue).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here is 2168 as we know her today. Donations from FPT members, together with the time and expertise, have transformed the car into a gorgeous museum piece that will help tell the story of Philadelphia trolleys for generations to come (Roger DuPuis).

8042 is coming along nicely at PTM

Posted onAuthorRoger DuPuis II

FPT members Harry Donahue, Matt Nawn and Bill Monaghan are seen with 8042 recently at PTM.

Work on Philadelphia Transportation Co. car 8042 is coming along nicely at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum.

FPT members including Harry Donahue, Matt Nawn and Bill Monaghan were able to check on its progress earlier this month while visiting the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington County, Pa. They are seen in the adjacent photo with the car, showing the extent of work on its platform thus far.

As you will recall, the 1923 Brill car is being restored with support from Friends of Philadelphia Trolleys and generous donors such as you. The car has been on display at PTM since 2005.

If you or anyone you know may be interested in helping the cause, please click this link to download and print our donation form.