Old School SEPTA Trolleys To Make Fall Return

PHILADELPHIA — The green-and cream-colored SEPTA trolley cars of yore are coming back to Philly this year.

SEPTA spokesman Andrew Busch told Patch that 10 to 12 of the 1947 PCC II trolleys are expected to be back in service by late August or early September.

While there is no exact date on when the classic trolleys will return to the streets, Busch said it will likely be when the fall transit schedule change goes into effect.

The iconic trolleys were removed from service about three years ago after numerous issues were found among the fleet.

Busch said repair work on trolley cars ranged from $250,000 to $400,000 and said the transit authority expects to get 10 more years of use from the repaired cars.

While the costs may come as a shock, Busch said new purchasing vehicles would lead to a hefty bill.

In total, SEPTA aims to have 18 of the old school trolleys in service.

Some trolleys are being tested now to ensure their reliability and safety, so Philadelphians and visitors alike may see the occasional 1947 trolley car making rounds on Route 15, which goes from Port Richmond to West Philadelphia, largely along Girard Avenue.

The long-term goal for SEPTA's trolley system is to bring it to full modernization, with Route 15 the last planned to feature new trolley cars.

But for now, in-house repair crews are working to finalize the repairs.

Maintenance workers have had to reverse engineer parts of the 76-year-old trains and manufacture parts that are no longer produced.

Some were even stripped down to the base and rebuilt.

Modernized amenities include air conditioning and accessibility

And of course, the repaired trolleys will be painted in the classic green and cream color scheme.