By SignalPAD - originally posted to Flickr as Subway Surface Underground, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
Philadelphia's streets are set to be graced once again with the presence of SEPTA's historic green and cream trolleys. After extensive restorations, these mid-20th century PCC trolleys, taken piece by piece and lovingly restored, are ready to traverse Route 15 along Girard Avenue starting Sunday, June 16. CBS Philadelphia reports that SEPTA invested millions into this project, performed at the Woodland Shop, utilizing a meticulous process that included the reverse engineering of unavailable parts.
In an update shared by NBC Philadelphia, the restoration team didn’t just refurbish the vintage trolleys but also incorporated modern amenities. These cars were fit to be equipped with new frames, floors, windows, wheelchair lifts, and HVAC units. However, even as these trolleys begin to serve the public once more, plans are afoot to eventually replace them as part of SEPTA’s Trolley Modernization program, which aims to quickly transform the nation's largest trolley network into one that is more efficient, user-friendly, and accessible.
The extensive restoration has been a labor of passion and pride for SEPTA workers. According to 6abc’s coverage, each of the eight trolleys took around 13,000 hours of manpower to restore at the expense of about $1 million per car. "When you take a look at these trolleys when we start on them, then when we finish them—it's amazing. There is a lot of pride in that," SEPTA electronic technician David El told 6abc. With some trolleys already operational on Girard Avenue, two more are expected to join the fleet by the coming spring.
The revamp is not merely about aesthetics. SEPTA COO Scott Sauser emphasized the community’s connection to these trolleys, "When we removed these cars from service for much-needed repairs, we had people along Girard Avenue wanting these cars back. They came to our board meetings just begging us, 'You have to put these cars back,'" he said in an interview with 6abc. While the trolleys' vintage charm has been preserved, riders can expect to find updated seating, lighting, and a notably improved floor among other refurbished interior elements. This fusion of heritage and modernity ensures that these iconic trolleys are prepared to provide service for years to come, even as they ready to eventually pass the baton to a new era of streetcars.
