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. Toronto Transportation Commission of Ontario Canada (TTC) and the PCC Car:
In 1921, the Toronto Transportation Commission (TTC) was created to integrate and operate the Toronto streetcar system. It inherited the infrastructure of two separate streetcar operators: the Toronto Railway Company (TRC) and Toronto Civic Railways (TCR). The TTC immediately embarked on a program to connect the TRC and TCR lines into one network. Between 1938 and 1945, it placed five orders for air-electric PCC streetcars to replace the old, wooden streetcars of the TRC, and to address rising ridership. Between 1947 and 1951, the TTC placed three orders for all-electric PCC cars, with one order equipped with couplers for multiple-unit operation. Between 1950 and 1957, the TTC purchased PCCs from four American cities (Cincinnati, Cleveland, Birmingham and Kansas City). By 1957, the TTC had more PCCs than any other city in the Free World.
After the opening of the Bloor–Danforth subway (today Line 2 Bloor–Danforth) in 1966, the TTC considered terminating all streetcar service in Toronto. However, in 1972, a citizens group called Streetcars for Toronto persuaded the City to retain streetcar operation This led to the development of the Canadian Light Rail Vehicle (CLRV) and its longer, articulated cousin, the Articulated Light Rail Vehicle (ALRV), to replace the aging PCC fleet.
TTC was not only the largest purchaser off PCC cars but also the largest reseller of used PCC cars. of the 745 units, 205 came secondhand, from other cities. Many resold to the the Cities originally purchased.
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 512 St. Clair Ave - Keele Loop:
The 512 streetcar begins at St. Clair Station, in a loop just east of Yonge Street. Travelling west on private right-of-way in the centre of the street, it dives underground just past Spadina to loop through the St. Clair West subway station interchange. Passing track switches at Bathurst and Vaughan, and short-turn loops at Oakwood and Lansdowne (as well as abandoned tracks at Wychwood and Old Weston Road (Townsley Loop)), the line finally turns back at Gunns Loop, a block west of Keele Street.
e. Toronto #4750:
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 Kansas City Public Service (KCPS). The 4750 was part of the SEPTA purchase.
The TTC 4750 ex KCPS 526 was retired delivered to Philadelphia PA USA (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 #2240. The 2240 was later painted in the SEPTA "Gulf Oil" orange-white-and-blue paint scheme, the outlines of this paint scheme harmonized with the classic lines of the streetcar. 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 - Toronto (TTC) #4750.
a. Basic information:
Bowser 2023 provide high quality DCC ready (DCC/Sound is also available) HO scale models of the cars in their Kansas City attire, in colors paint scheme.
b. Features:
Powered 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.