(John Smatlak photo)
(Miller Library, PTM)
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| Trolley Display Building,
2005 (John Smatlak photo) |
In service on Emsworth route, 1920s (Miller Library, PTM) |
| Car Number | 3487 | Car Builder | St. Louis Car Company |
| Year Built | 1905 | Year Acquired | 1956 |
| Type | DE City - High Floor | Seats | 42 |
| Length | 44'0" | Width | 8'00" |
| Height | 11'2" | Weight | 59,000 lbs (25 tons) |
| Max Speed | XX mph | Status | Stored operable, Trolley Display Building |
Trolley patronage grew dramatically after 1900, necessitating larger streetcars than the first four-wheelers. Car 3487 is an early example of a heavy eight-wheel model. Underneath the 1930s vintage steel sheeting is an almost all-wood design. The car's powerful motors allowed trailers to be towed, for even more capacity. This is the type of car that opened service on the Washington interurban route in 1909.
Car 3487 was converted for work car duty in 1934 (it was based at the Charleroi Car House) and thus survived into the 1950s, when it was acquired by the Museum. It is the last of its type.
Note that handicapped accessibility was not a consideration in the design of this car - it took another 80 years or so for the concept to be incorporated into the law of the land.
Click on the thumbnails below for larger photos (will open in new window):
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| View east on Liberty Avenue, showing a
lineup of cars of the same class as 3487 (Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh collection) |
Interior of 3487, showing smoke and soot
stains above the clerestory windows (showing the air quality in
Pittsburgh when it was in service) (John Smatlak photo) |
Motorman's controls, one end of 3487,
showing hand brake and modified controller. (John Smatlak photo) |
Exterior of 3487, showing lifeguard and marker
lights. (John Smatlak photo) |
Last updated November 16, 2005
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Museum. All rights reserved.
