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On this day in 1962, in Washington, DC....
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 6:34 pm    Post subject: On this day in 1962, in Washington, DC.... Reply with quote

.......the long and colorful era of streetcars in our Nation's capital came to an end.

Only a few lines were then still in operation; the very last lines to use overhead trolley wire (and plow pits) were replaced by buses in 1960.

Horse-drawn streetcars were in use when Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated; John F. Kennedy was the last president inaugurated when (electric) streetcars were still in operation.

DC's PCC's were unique, in that they were the only ones to be equipped for conduit operation; they were also the shortest built, due to transfer table clearances.

Most of the PCC fleet was scrapped, but a number went overseas, and saw further service in Sarajevo and in Spain.

Some of these ex-DC cars were rebuilt as articulateds, giving one an idea of how an articulated PCC might have looked, had they ever been built in this country.

The sleek, handsome, and unique "SILVER SIGHTSEER", the only air-conditioned streetcar in DC, was sadly lost (long with several other pieces of historic rolling stock) a number of years back, at the National Capital Trolley Museum.

Thankfully, one ex-DC PCC still survives at the Museum, along with other historic DC cars (and equipment from other cities)

Light Rail returned to DC some years ago, but the modern rolling stock (which, IMHO, resembles giant caterpillars wrapped in yellow duct tape!) is of a new time and a new generation, with little connection (outside of tracks and overhead wires) to the streetcars of old......

"NYO"


Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Thu Jan 28, 2021 2:00 am; edited 3 times in total
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 6:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here's a link to several extensive photo galleries dedicated to Washington's streetcars, past and present (work equipment is also included)......

https://www.newdavesrailpix.com/dca/dca.htm

(courtesy: davesrailpix)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 6:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This page features links to excellent photo galleries of not only the PCC's which ran in Washington, but also, other cities as well.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/The_PCC_Car_-_Not_So_Standard
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 7:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Washington, DC, was one of only three cities to operate conduit streetcars (the others were New York and London)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conduit_current_collection
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 7:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Also of interest......

www.washingtontunnels.com/streetcar-map

www.atlasobscura.com/places/dupont-underground
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In a little more than a decade after the last streetcars ran in DC, electric rail transport returned to the city in the form of the first section of today's extensive METRO system.......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_Metro
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 9:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A long-ago fantrip, starring one of the pre-PCC "streamliners".......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?21219

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 9:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This PCC is seeing holding down a Route #54 run, laying over at the loop adjacent to a SAFEWAY supermarket......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?21233

(courtesy: nycsubway.org).
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

PCC #1482, entering the underground Bureau of Engraving station; this was as close to a streetcar subway as DC would ever get.

Interestingly, a streetcar subway had been proposed, a number of years earlier.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?21264

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)


Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Thu Jan 28, 2021 2:02 am; edited 2 times in total
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Two PCC's "meet" on Pennsylvania Avenue, on a long-ago day; note the safety platforms........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?94122

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here's a fine portrait of the one-of-a-kind "SILVER SIGHTSEER"*.

The lovely hostess' name was "Lark", and she was known for being a gracious, friendly, and very knowledgeable tour guide.

Sadly, this unique car was destroyed by fire years later at the NCTM.....

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?21273

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

*Note the WHITE to the rear of the PCC.......
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The end of an era.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?21228

(courtessy: nycsubway.org)
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In the 1970's, ex-DCT PCC #1304 was being used in (GE) experiments involving automated transit cars (this ex-DC car was dubbed "TOMORROW")

Note, in the one photo, the new MTA (New Haven) MU in the background......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?21257

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?21258

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"MAKING THE GRADE" (Dupont Circle, 1957).......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?21275

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Note Old Looks on the left.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?21272

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)


Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:26 am; edited 1 time in total
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