Again one for streetcar fans: Name all North American cities regularly operating PCC cars in transit refenue service NOW, not purely museum "come photograph and ride" operations (like the Baltimore Trolley Museum). Included however, are those operations deliberately choosing vintage equipment for historical purposes, as long as there are regular commuters and people use the service to actually travel from one place ot another. However, these must be PCC streetcars, not rapid transit cars. They need not run on streets, however, private right-of-way operaton is also allowed. Need not be every day operation, weekends-only is also acceptable if the transit route uses only modern LRV's on weekdays.
Hint: One line now providing a commuter service did start out purely as a museum operation, but is now considered part of the local transportation network.
daveklepper Hint: One line now providing a commuter service did start out purely as a museum operation, but is now considered part of the local transportation network.
Market St Ry, San Francisco, Ca or the F Line.
Boston , Is Pittsburg still running PCC's. I read somewhere that one of the lines the bridges were too light to handle the Light Rail cars. Also what about Philadelphia.
Rgds IGN
Hey, could we wait until someone has at least three or four systems to mention? Pittsburg does not run PCC's. Only modern light rail cars. If they have any preserved PCC's on the system, rather than at the trolley museum that has a portion of the old Pittsburgh Railways Washington, PA, interurban, they are used very rarely.
The San Francisco F line did start out as a "Trolley Festifval" operation, but was always operated by MUNI and part of the total transportation picture, which it is today. It is one of the seven that is otherwise a correct answer. This is one that started as a purely volunteer-run musuem operation and is now part of the total transportation picture, but still uses mostly volunteer help. With at least one PCC used regularly. And why do you suppose it is used regularly?
Dave,
The only ones that I thought of were Boston, Philly, Toronto and Kenosha, WI. I don''t have tie time right now do the research I'd need to identify any others. The credit goes to IGN for mentioning the first two on my list.
Mark
Forgot about Kenosha, The F Line(down Market St) is using PCC's for the majority of trips. It has essentially replaced the #8 Market St trolley bus route.
Found this skulking around the webb. http://lyttonspccs.homestead.com/usa.html It is a little dated.
Yes, needs updating and some corrections. For example, the photograph of Maryland's National Capitol Museum does not show a PCC car, but rather one of the 20 pre-PCC 1000-1019-series cars, half built by St. Louis and half by Brill, that were similar to PCC's but did not have the PCC automatic acceleration, resilient wheels, and inside-frame trucks. Look at the trucks of the car. The Shore Line Trolley Museum (I'm still a director member and was very active) has fewer PCC's than listed, only two, the original 1001 from Brooklyn, and a Public Service of New Jersey ex-Twin Cities car. The others are the 1949 St. Louis suburban cars from Red Arrow which had PCC-style bodies but not the electrical equpment or trucks. Most of the listings are straight musuem operations. Here is the scoop as far as I know it, only regular transit operations used for commutation and casual trips, will nostalgia as an added bonus for some.
No. 1 operator is certainly Boston's "T" with continuous operation of PCC's (except for shutdowns for rehabilitation of the RofW and stations) from about 1965, when ex-Dallas PCC's replaced some of the last old Type 5 double -end lightweights. The ten cars assigned, six or seven required for rush hour operaton, are 1945 "war-time" single-end Pullman models, now extensively rebuilt and air-copnditioned. The Mattapan - Ashmont line is a trolley extension of the Red Line heavy rail rapid transit line and is all private right of way, an ex-New Haven branch, and quite scenic and fast.
No 2. is the F line of San Francisco's MUNI, which had an hiatus of PCC operation for a few years in the middle of the 1980's, after BOeing cars replaced all the PCC's up to the time of the first trolley festival, meant to be a temporary replacement for tourists while the cable car lines were shut down for rebuilding. The present route consists of the old Market Street line to Castro and an extension from the Ferry Terminal along the Embarcadaro, on old freight track RofW to Fishermans Warf. About half the service is with PCC's painted in all the shemes of all the USA and Canadian cities that ran them and almost half with ex-Milan Peter Witt USA-style cars . Occasionally other historic cars are run, inlcuding a Balckpool :boat (gondola), and some original MUNI cars from the 1914-1928 period. The Market Street Railway Associaton publishes The Inside Track and is a most worthwhile organization for membership. An additional "E" line is anticipated, tracks already there and waiting for more cars, including more PCC's to be readied for service. All its PCC's except one from Belgum were built by St. Louis Car Co.
No.3 is the Garrad Avenue line in Philly, No. 15, restored to service with rebuilt PCC's after a long period of bus operation. A wonderful photo opportunity exists where the NEC passes overhead.
No. 4 is probably Kenosha with its downtown and lakeside circulator loop regularly operated as part of the local transit system.
No. 5 is probably TOronto with two PCC cars retained and one or two in regular weekend operation on the Union Station - Exhibition line along with the regular Candadian Light Rail Vehicles.
NO. 6 is the McKenny Avenue Streetcar in Dallas, began as museum operation, but now handles commuter and casual riders providing a transit service, and will expand further. "Winnie" began life as a Capitol Transit PCC, was used in the Fort Woth Leonards Dept. Store parking lot to store line, extensively rebuilt to resemble a Winabego Mobile HOme, is air conditioned, and is thus used regularly, especially in the summer. Two other PCC with typical bodies are being rebuilt for service.
At this moment I seem to be blocking on the seventh, any help?
Which of the two of you that each got two right can ask the next question is up to both of you.
This was a quick survey from Google(gotta love the ground views)
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hl=en&tab=wl
As many times as I've driven up the Schuykill Expressway I did not think about pics.
I think this shld go to Mark (KCSfan) as he got a larger list. Also he is probably able to answer questions easier than I.
Also the pic on the web site shows MUNI 1005(built in 1940?) which though is quite similar to the PCC's is not. Muni was not a member of ERPCC until 1944 when the Market St Ry was merged into Muni.
and was not entitled to use their patents ttil then.
What shortline railroad gained fame for operating some of the last "Russian" Decapods in the US? This road rostered nine such engines and they were the mainstay of its motive power. They ran until 1959 when the smaller road was absorbed by a Class I and subsequently dieselized.
My first jab would be Suzy Q! But didn't she dieselize with RS1's by 1950?
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
KCSfan What shortline railroad gained fame for operating some of the last "Russian" Decapods in the US? This road rostered nine such engines and they were the mainstay of its motive power. They ran until 1959 when the smaller road was absorbed by a Class I and subsequently dieselized. Mark
Johnny
The Gainesville Midland is correct and the next question is yours to ask Johnny.
Anyone who likes classic shortline steam will enjoy the link below which shows GM #208 in operation in 1956.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMeGSQA-qg
Oops I left out a letter in the URL that I posted. Below is the correct link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMeGSQAr-qg
KCSfan The Gainesville Midland is correct and the next question is yours to ask Johnny. Anyone who likes classic shortline steam will enjoy the link below which shows GM #208 in operation in 1956. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMeGSQA-qg Mark
I enjoyed watching the video, noticing a Southern signal in Gainesville and a SAL switch engine in Athens.
New question (which may call for wild guessing): in 1930, the Pullman Company rebuilt twenty 16 section cars to the configuration of 10 sections-4 private sections (a private section had its own washroom, complete with toilet; two washrooms occupied the same space that had been occupied by a section). Four of these cars (named for famous men of the Old South) were operated on the Crescent. By February of 1950, all of the heavyweight cars except the lounge and observation had been replaced by 10 roomette-6 double bedroom cars. One of the cars had been moved to a tri-weekly overnight service by one of the roads that operated the Crescent. What road operated the car, and what two end points were served? A hint, perhaps: this was interstate service.
Deggesty KCSfan: The Gainesville Midland is correct and the next question is yours to ask Johnny. Anyone who likes classic shortline steam will enjoy the link below which shows GM #208 in operation in 1956. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMeGSQA-qg Mark Mark, I do not know how many of the participants in this thread saw the article about the Gainesville Midland Russian decapods in Trains fifty or so years ago. It was easy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMeGSQAr-qg I enjoyed watching the video, noticing a Southern signal in Gainesville and a SAL switch engine in Athens. New question (which may call for wild guessing): in 1930, the Pullman Company rebuilt twenty 16 section cars to the configuration of 10 sections-4 private sections (a private section had its own washroom, complete with toilet; two washrooms occupied the same space that had been occupied by a section). Four of these cars (named for famous men of the Old South) were operated on the Crescent. By February of 1950, all of the heavyweight cars except the lounge and observation had been replaced by 10 roomette-6 double bedroom cars. One of the cars had been moved to a tri-weekly overnight service by one of the roads that operated the Crescent. What road operated the car, and what two end points were served? A hint, perhaps: this was interstate service.
KCSfan: The Gainesville Midland is correct and the next question is yours to ask Johnny. Anyone who likes classic shortline steam will enjoy the link below which shows GM #208 in operation in 1956. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMeGSQA-qg Mark
WAG's welcome, eh?
OK, I'll say Sou. Rwy. from Knoxville TN to Asheville NC. al-in-chgo
Al, you would have left Knoxville about seven in the morning, and you would have returned about nine at night. Sorry, not even a cigar ash. This would have been a one division run on the railroad; the oddly rebuilt car ran over three divisions, and it was truly overnight.
Deggesty This would have been a one division run on the railroad; the oddly rebuilt car ran over three divisions, and it was truly overnight.
This would have been a one division run on the railroad; the oddly rebuilt car ran over three divisions, and it was truly overnight.
Could it have been the D&RGW operating a predicessor to the motor-train pocket streamliner Prospector (with sleeping acommodations) which was then replaced by a conventional train and operated daily. Denver - StLC?
daveklepper Could it have been the D&RGW operating a predicessor to the motor-train pocket streamliner Prospector (with sleeping acommodations) which was then replaced by a conventional train and operated daily. Denver - StLC?
The car left one origin at 8:35 p.m. and the other one at 8:30 p.m., and arrived at 5:50 a.m. (occupy until 8:00 a.m.) and 7:55 a.m., respectively
WAG The Owl. NY - Washington?
narig01 WAG The Owl. NY - Washington? Rgds IGN
Deggesty New question (which may call for wild guessing): in 1930, the Pullman Company rebuilt twenty 16 section cars to the configuration of 10 sections-4 private sections (a private section had its own washroom, complete with toilet; two washrooms occupied the same space that had been occupied by a section). Four of these cars (named for famous men of the Old South) were operated on the Crescent. By February of 1950, all of the heavyweight cars except the lounge and observation had been replaced by 10 roomette-6 double bedroom cars. One of the cars had been moved to a tri-weekly overnight service by one of the roads that operated the Crescent. What road operated the car, and what two end points were served? A hint, perhaps: this was interstate service.
L&N Birmingham-Pensacola
Between Birmingham-Flomaton on the Pan-American both ways; Flomaton-Pensacola via #63 southbound and #60-Gulf Wind northbound
Above sounds like the winner, and should ask the next question?
Correction needed: The Owl was a NY-Boston New Haven train. The New York - Washington train was the Federal, which had a long history, including car-ferry Oak Point (The Bronx) - Greenville NJ movemnent and operation via the Pughkeepsie bridge before the NY Connecting was opened, and lasted many years into Amtrak operation. After the Owl was discontinued, around the time of the PC merger or a few years ealier, one or two NY-Boston set-uout and pick-up sleepers were handled by the Federal. Both the Federal and the Owl at one time handled Providence set-out sleepers. The Federal's was used regularly by Senator Pell of Rhode Island, who authored the legisation for the first upgrade and trial operatons in the NEC.
ZephyrOverland Deggesty: New question (which may call for wild guessing): in 1930, the Pullman Company rebuilt twenty 16 section cars to the configuration of 10 sections-4 private sections (a private section had its own washroom, complete with toilet; two washrooms occupied the same space that had been occupied by a section). Four of these cars (named for famous men of the Old South) were operated on the Crescent. By February of 1950, all of the heavyweight cars except the lounge and observation had been replaced by 10 roomette-6 double bedroom cars. One of the cars had been moved to a tri-weekly overnight service by one of the roads that operated the Crescent. What road operated the car, and what two end points were served? A hint, perhaps: this was interstate service. L&N Birmingham-Pensacola Between Birmingham-Flomaton on the Pan-American both ways; Flomaton-Pensacola via #63 southbound and #60-Gulf Wind northbound
Deggesty: New question (which may call for wild guessing): in 1930, the Pullman Company rebuilt twenty 16 section cars to the configuration of 10 sections-4 private sections (a private section had its own washroom, complete with toilet; two washrooms occupied the same space that had been occupied by a section). Four of these cars (named for famous men of the Old South) were operated on the Crescent. By February of 1950, all of the heavyweight cars except the lounge and observation had been replaced by 10 roomette-6 double bedroom cars. One of the cars had been moved to a tri-weekly overnight service by one of the roads that operated the Crescent. What road operated the car, and what two end points were served? A hint, perhaps: this was interstate service.
A Corona Corona cigar to you, along with the opportunity to ask the next question.
Incidentally, I have long liked the abbreviated name of the division used between Montgomery and Pensacola--the MNO&P Division; it should be esy to figure out the full name.
It would have been a natural for Lucille Ball to ride this train.
Name the train, railroad(s) and endpoints.
I'll take a WAG at this one. The Chicago-Detroit Red Bird running on the Wabash and Pennsy.
KCSfan I'll take a WAG at this one. The Chicago-Detroit Red Bird running on the Wabash and Pennsy. Mark
Actually, that was a good guess but there is another train name I'm thinking of which is more appropriate for Ms. Ball.
Why not the St. Louis - Detroit Wabash (railroad) "Canon Ball"?
daveklepper Why not the St. Louis - Detroit Wabash (railroad) "Canon Ball"?
What does a Cannon Ball have to do with Lucille Ball?
Try again.....
Since Lucy's husband, Desi Arnaz, was Cuban, how about the Havana Special? PRR - ACL - FEC between NY and Miami.
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Get the Classic Trains twice-monthly newsletter