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

In 1949 the Red Arrow lines of suburban Philadelphia took delivery of 14 PCC-bodied interurban cars with Commonwealth-type high-speed trucks from the St. Louis Car Co. that turned out to be the very last interurbans ever built. With the outward appearance of the Illinois Terminal and SF Muni "Torpedo" double-end PCC streetcars, Nos. 11-24 entered service on the 19 mile long West Chester line, mostly in 2-car trains, running daily at 75+ MPH speeds. But only 6 years later most of the West Chester line was abandoned due to the increasing suburban sprawl and congestion that was initially brought on by the trolleys. In their place parallel West Chester Pike was widened from 2 to 4 lanes and buses started running to West Chester. The Llanarch-Westgate Hills section of the West Chester line was abandoned in 1958, followed by the Ardmore line in 1966 after a major blizzard. The cars continued in operation on the Media and Sharon Hill lines until replaced in 1982 by a fleet of Kawasaki double-end LRV's. Eight of the original 14 cars are still in existence and No. 14 is the only one that's operational. The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington, PA completed No.14's restoration after many years of work. Sister car No. 24 is preserved in its SEPTA "Gulf Oil" colors and on display in the museum's display building. The PA Trolley Museum also has Master Unit-type car No. 78 which also has been restored to its original 1932 appearance and Brilliner No. 5 which is one of only 3 Brilliners still in existence. Also in the collection is Red Arrow center-door car No. 66, which is a favorite among museum crews for its interior spaciousness and smooth riding qualities. In addition the PA Trolley Museum has many cars from the Pittsburgh area and Ohio.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Red
• Arrow
• PCC
• St.
• Louis
• car
• interurban
• trolley
• 14
• SEPTA
• PA
• Trolley
• Museum
• PGH
• Rwys
• PATransit

[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]

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]

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

[nyshortline]

Interesting. Thanks for the heads up.

[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]

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]

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.

[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]

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.