I. History:
a. The PCC car:
Designed to fulfill a need for a streetcar that could compete with cars and buses, the Presidents' Conference Committee (PCC) Streetcar was first built in 1936. The PCC was a gathering of the Presidents of United States electric street railways, who collected research to be used in the production of a high-performance street car. The resulting design was efficient, comfortable and had advanced features such as noise reduction, magnetic braking, and resilient wheels. The PCC streetcar was so successful that it was exported to other nations (St. Petersburg, Russia had a fleet of more than 2,000) and many are still in service today with museums and heritage railways. The design proved successful in the United States, and after World War II it was licensed for use elsewhere in the world where PCC based cars were made. The PCC car has proved to be a long-lasting icon of streetcar design, and many are still in service around the world.
Many rail fans view it as the most beautiful street car ever made.
b. Philadelphia (SEPTA) and the PCC Car:
SEPTA was created by the Pennsylvania legislature on August 17, 1963, to coordinate government subsidies to various transit and railroad companies in southeastern Pennsylvania. It commenced on February 18, 1964. SEPTA operates bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, and electric trolleybus services for nearly 4 million people in five counties in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It also manages projects that maintain, replace and expand its infrastructure, facilities and vehicles.
In the late 1970s, Philadelphia's fleet of PCC cars was the second largest in the western hemisphere, with 300 PCC trolleys remaining -- only Toronto Ontario had more trolleys. Philadelphia's fleet was comprised of two main classes: 102 prewar "air cars" built between 1940 and 1942, and 198 postwar "all-electrics" built in 1946 to 1948 (Item being Sold).
The streetcars operated from three depots over twelve routes, spread over most of the city. Five car lines ran on city streets and through a trolley subway under University City and Center City; the remaining seven ran entirely in city streets in traditional streetcar fashion.
c. The Great Philadelphia Car House fire of 1975 and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) purchase:
In 1975 a Five alarm fire at the Woodland car barn at 50th and Woodland Ave broke out at the historic 114 year old depot destroying approximately sixty of SEPTA's PCC car fleet. Valued at the time at $500,000.00. Total cost of the great Trolley Barn fire of 1975 was over $8,000,000.00.
In 1976 SEPTA purchased 30 PCC cars from Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). The thirty used PCC cars that SEPTA purchased from TTC in 1976 were bought $12,500 a piece as is. The total cost of the purchase was $375,000.00.
When the cars went into service in Philadelphia, most remained in TTC colors. Only the numbers were changed, the TTC shield painted over, and the SEPTA logo applied. The decision was made to use the ex-TTC cars exclusively on Route 60 Allegheny Avenue, at least at first. The reasoning was that the passengers on the line would get used to the same cars each day.
d. Route 60 Allegheny:
Route 60,also known as Allegheny Avenue Line, used to be a streetcar line. However, on September 4, 1977, SEPTA replaced the streetcars with buses, without any public hearings. This made Route 60 the first trolley line to be abandoned in the city since 1969. Route 60 ran along the wide Allegheny Avenue in North Philadelphia, connecting East Falls with Port Richmond and the Route 15 trolley. Its final destination was at the Richmond & Westmoreland Streets Loop.
e. SEPTA PCC car #2243:
Eleven of the cars were purchased second-hand from Toronto Transit Commission in 1976. Part of a fleet originally built for Kansas City, Missouri, in 1946 for Kansas City Public Service (KCPS). The 2245 was part of the SEPTA purchase.
The TTC 4762 ex KCPS 765 was delivered to SEPTA in March 1976 equipped with a Westinghouse motor package. The car was hauled to Callowhill Depot, where it was put on to re-gauged trucks. The Toronto gauge (4' 10-7/8") was removed and replaced with the SEPTA gauge (5' 2-1/4"). The car was then operated eight miles over city streets to Luzerne Depot for service and designated SEPTA #2243. The 2243 maintained its TTC Red paint scheme, . Its home depot was the Luzerne Depot, at 10th and Luzerne Street in North Philadelphia's Huntington Park Neighborhood. The car was sold for scrap by SEPTA in 1983 after 35 years of total service.
f. The Bowser Company Kansas City PCC project:
Bowser Manufacturing Company is proud to finally announce the resumption of their "Kansas City PCC project". After searching, evaluating and securing a new supplier for the trolley projects, Bowser located molds and had them successfully tested for quality and durability. Bowser Kansas City PCC project now provides HO scale models of these unique all-electric PCC cars that were built without the characteristic standee windows.
II. For Sale:
Bowser Executive Line PCC Street Car. Standard DC - SEPTA #2245, ex-Toronto "TTC Red".
a. Basic information:
Bowser 2023 provide high quality DCC ready 21 pin (DCC/Sound is also available) HO scale models of the cars in their Kansas City attire, in Gulf Oil colors paint scheme.
b. Features:
Powered DCC ready 21 pin with 6'6" wheel base truck, can motor drive and flywheel. injection molded plastic body, window glass, operating roof pole, operating headlight and accurate paint and decorating.
III. Box:
New Unopened.
IV. Shipping:
Free local pick up available in Seattle WA. Domestic: Free USPS Priority mail. International: use eBay global shipping program.