2011 Annual Report - the Seashore Trolley Museum

Above: Boston Elevated 25-foot box car 396
showing the restoration work done on the sides
and window sash. Repainting is in progress on
Philadelphia PCC 2709, just behind 396. JS
Right: Jim Mackell removes reinforcing strips
from 396 in preparation for repairs and paint. DC
Museum, we now have a complete set
of builder’s plans for the car. From these
many new parts have been fabricated.
With them the various underbody components
including line switch, brake cylinder,
and air reservoirs have their mounts
ready to receive the equipment. The ends
of the car have been squared and bumpers
prepared for re-mounting.
Sydney Tramways P Type Car
1700 – After numerous reports from the
Operating Department about ineffective
brakes, an inspection found that half of
1700’s cast iron brake shoes were worn
out. As it turned the Sydney Tramway
Museum in Australia had received a grant
to restore sister car 1728. They needed a
truck frame to use as the basis to fabricate
a pair of trucks to go with the body.
After extensive negotiations we traded
the spare truck (less wheels and motors)
that was acquired with 1700 for two new
sets of brake shoes (16) and some other
useful parts.
2011 Annual Report
Brooklyn Rapid Transit convertible
Car 4547 – After being out of service
for 16 years due to a motor failure,
4547 is now back on the way to being
available for special service. The motor
frame is now united with the armature,
all of which have been overhauled. Both
controllers were overhauled and readied
for installation. The corroded steel under
the platform was rust treated.
Blackpool Corporation Tramways
Standard Double-decker Car 144
– The interior woodwork has been refinished
and floor strips have been renewed.
On December 12, the car was pushed
to track 2 in Town House Shop, the
only one on which it will fit. Low vertical
clearance in the Quonset Extension
prevents putting double-deckers on the
other two tracks. The body was jacked up
and motors and wheelsets removed. As is
typical for European cars, its wheels were
narrower and equipped with smaller
flanges than those used on North American
cars. Much research and consultation
was carried out before we selected
a Boston wheel profile, although with a
somewhat narrower tread than standard,
that could be applied by turning the tires
down. This was done by the Montreal,
Maine & Atlantic Railroad’s Derby Shops
with much assistance by A. C. Electric.
Work was started on overhauling 144’s
B510C braking-style controllers in preparation
for replacing the car’s wiring.
Above: The front platform of 6618, cured of its
long-present sag, goes back together.
Below: Considerable effort has gone into refinishing
6618’s interior wood work, including both
wood and brass components of window sash. DC
Above: Philadelphia Nearside 6618 being shifted outside the shop. The extensive repair work to the
side structure and the front platform are clearly in evidence on this nearly 100 year old classic car. DC
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