Unveiling of Red Arrow PCC-type interurban car No. 14

[CSDTaylor]

Fantastic. I spot myself (holding a videocam in the stair well) in the video about 1/3 way through.

I regret to inform that Merritt died on March 25, 2010 in Vero Beach, FL. He had a great time with, and loved the Company and it's extended family.

I'd love to see any videos you might have at the ceremonies marking the sale to SEPTA..

[nyshortline]

@CSDTaylor Thanks and I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Sorry I have no video of Red Arrow's sale to SEPTA. Also I'm already aware of Merritt Taylor Jr's passing in 2010, thank you. I'm glad I finally got to meet him though. It must have been a fitting climax to his life operating the car out of the barn. :>)

[nyshortline]

@jeffdarga1 Yep. I've ridden it a few times. A transit fan's paradise.

[nyshortline]

When I visited the PA Trolley Museum about a month ago or so No. 14 was sitting over the pit adjacent to the Trolley Display Building awaiting a part for its brake system. I hope it comes back into service soon.

[nyshortline]

Also rumor has it that sister cars Nos. 15 and 17 are at Brookville (who refurbished a fleet of PCC's for SEPTA) getting a major refurb including B-2 PCC trucks for an antique trolley operation somewhere out west. Keep your eyes and ears out.

[Jeffbear1]

Brookville is doing four MUNI Torpedos. Two will be in the "Wings" paint scheme, one will be Dallas and the other will be San Francisco's old Market Street Railway "white front" scheme.

[nyshortline]

Maybe Nos. 15 and 17 will come out in their original scheme like No. 14? I thought I heard they, too were going to MUNI but I'm not sure.

[Jeffbear1]

I can tell you that the MUNI isn't getting # 15 and # 17. They told me that with the Torpedos, the re-rebuilt ex-Newark cars and several of their original PCC cars to be rebuilt, that's all they need. They're not even going to use the two Pittsburgh PCC cars that they bought some years ago. And they turned down the Pittsburgh PCC {#1772} for sale at Ozark Mountain Railcar.

They said they want nothing that ever ran in areas where road salt was used. They'd rather restore their own PCC cars.

[nyshortline]

Interesting. Thanks for the heads up.

[Jeffbear1]

The PTM did a great job on the restoration of car # 14. It was great that Merritt Taylor was on the car. It's been years since I last saw him. Anyone have contact info for him?

It's really a shame that the MUNI in San Francisco didn't paint and letter "Torpedo" car # 1007 like car # 14, in the 1949 Red Arrow paint scheme. It would have been stunning.....

[nyshortline]

Thanks. All I know about Merritt Taylor Jr. is that he's in his 80's now and he lives in Florida. I suspect the reason(s) why they didn't paint No. 1007 in the 1949 paint scheme is because the headlight location is lower than on the St. Louis cars and the cream "V" would have not looked quite right, plus the 1949 paint scheme is a lot more elaborate and probably would cost a lot more than the more simplified 1960's paint scheme. Thanks so much for the comment.

[Jeffbear1]

Merritt is about fifteen or so years older than me. When I first met him, he was still a relatively young man with dark hair. I'd often visit him at the offices "upstairs" at the 69th Street Terminal years ago. He was intrigued with my keen interest in the PSTCo. I'd also visit with and talk to other PSTCo. executives such as Arnold Freuh.

I took movies of the "take-over ceremony" when SEPTA purchased Red Arrow. I also attended the banquet at the Bellevue Stratford Hotel on Broad Street.

[piratef2004]

I was in the back of car 14 on its way back to Richfol. It is one great ride, and i had the pleasure of operating car 14 a year after it roll out.

[nyshortline]

Yeah later on in the day I got to run her near the Fairgrounds. It was a childhood dream come true for me.