FPT $20 Day at National Capital Trolley Museum to benefit Red Arrow 85

Posted onAuthorRoger DuPuis II

These PCC cars from three countries (Canada, USA and the Netherlands) are among the historic vehicles in the National Capital Trolley Museum’s collection. (Bill Monaghan photo)

COLESVILLE, Maryland — Friends of Philadelphia Trolleys (FPT) and the National Capital Trolley Museum (NCTM) are teaming up on a special event on May 11 to raise funds for the future restoration of of an 87-year-old car that once served Philadelphia’s western suburbs.

Philadelphia & West Chester Traction Company 85 was built by the J.G. Brill Company in 1932 and served the lines radiating out from 69th Street Terminal until being retired by successor SEPTA after a half-century of service.

Car 85 is seen at the end of the Media line on State Street in 1969. (Matt Nawn collection)

For a donation of $20, guests will have the opportunity to ride, photograph and operate (under instruction) various trolley cars from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A hosted tour of the NCTM maintenance car house (not typically open to visitors) also will be offered, along with a special presentation in the NCTM auditorium by the Friends of Philadelphia Trolleys on the group’s projects past and present.

Since 2005, FPT has made contributions of $185,000 toward trolley restoration projects in seven different museums. Your participation in $20 Day will help us continue our support of Philadelphia’s trolley heritage in operating museums around the country. You can learn more about FPT’s history and mission by clicking here.

For more information, email FPT2799@COMCAST.NET or MWNTROLLEY@AOL.COM, or visit our Facebook page for the event.

You also can download our flyer for the event (seen at left) by clicking here.

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WHAT: $20 Day in support of Car 85
WHEN: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., May 11, 2019
WHERE: National Capital Trolley Museum,
1313 Bonifant Road, Colesville, Md. 20905–5955
ALSO: To learn more about Car 85, click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another successful $20 day at BSM

Posted onAuthorRoger DuPuis II

Another Successful $20 Day at Baltimore Streetcar Museum was sponsored by FPT on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018.

Over 40 people attended to ride, photograph and operate trolleys starting at 10 a.m. After a pizza lunch, operations continued until almost 5 p.m.

A little over $1,300 was raised, which will go towards PCC 2168’s upcoming body repair. Thanks to all who supported the 2018 $20 Day!

The photo above, by our own Bill Monaghan, shows 2168 between Baltimore PCC 7407 and Peter Witt 6119 at the museum.

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).