(Presented to DVRPC in 2004. Many thanks to Bob Diamond and the Brooklyn Historic Railway Association (BHRA) for help in putting it together)
This is a proposal for a Historic Trolley line for Darby, Pennsylvania.
This proposal consists of 3 parts: (1) Rehabilitation and reactivation
of the unused track section east of Main Street and north of 9th Street.
(2) Restoration of a historic PCC trolley car for use on the line. (3)
Commencement of weekend historic trolley service within Darby to Yeadon
loop and beyond.
(Part 1) Rehabilitation and reactivation of the unused track section
east of Main Street and north of 9th Street.
The unused section of track (east of Main Street and north of 9th
street) has not seen active rail service in several years. The rails and
rail bed still exists along the entirety of the route; however, segments
have been paved over or buried. The catenary system has no contact wire;
although, catenary poles and some span wires still exist.
In this proposal, we would replace rotten and worn ties and install new
(or used rail in acceptable condition) along the route. The Catenary
poles will be repaired and repainted (or replaced when necessary). Span
wires will be repaired and/or replaced, then a new contact wire will be
installed. This section of track will be used for weekend historic
trolley service (described in further detail later in this section) and
can also be used as a lay up and storage track for historic trolleys.
(Part 2) Restoration of a historic PCC trolley car for use on the line.
An un-restored historic PCC trolley will be donated to the project by
the Brooklyn Historic Railway Association.
The funding provided by this grant proposal will finance the
rehabilitation and restoration of a 1947 St. Louis Car Company PCC car.
This grant finances the complete overhaul and rehabilitation of all
aesthetic, exterior and structural elements, as well as all mechanical
and electrical systems and components. In addition, the trolley will be
re-gauged from Standard Gauge to Philadelphia Broad Gauge for use on the
line.
The trolley''s exterior will undergo extensive body restoration work. The
50+ years of accumulated paint will be stripped off. Damaged and
severely rusted sheet/structural metal and decades old body and roof
section patch repairs will also be cut out and removed. Damaged and
severely rusted exterior and structural metal will be cut out and
removed; custom fabricated replacement steel pieces will be electric arc
welded into: the structural frame, anticlimbers (bumpers), body, roof
and roof supporting ribs. After extensive welding and bodywork the
trolleys will be primed and painted to a historically correct
Philadelphia paint scheme.
All mechanical and electrical components will be disassembled and
inspected then rebuilt or replaced if necessary. New floors and
floorboards will be installed. Other interior components will be
disassembled, rehabilitated or remanufactured then reinstalled. The
interior and exterior will be restored to the original 1947 design,
complete with original art deco style lighting manual crank down window
and the original seating layout with original cushioned vinyl seating.
(Part 3) Commencement of weekend historic trolley service within Darby
to Yeadon loop and beyond.
After rehabilitation of the track section and acquisition of a restored
historic trolley, trolley service can begin. A sensible and practical
route for historic trolley service would be along the #13 route east of
Darby Transportation Center and west of Yeadon Loop. This portion of the
#13 route is sparsely serviced, particularly on the weekends. During the
weekend, LRV cars run several hours apart for the greater portion of the
day. Therefore, running historic trolleys on this portion of the 13 line
may be possible. Eventually, historic trolley service (possibly using
SEPTA drivers) could potentially serve as a shuttle between Darby and
Yeadon Loop, providing a beneficial transportation resource to portions
of Darby and Yeadon.
