Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company
Red Arrow Lines
Car #5

# 5 in the Trolley Display Building, 2005
(John Smatlak photo)

#5 in SEPTA colors, enroute to Media in the 1970's
(Greg Mielke collection)

 

Car Number 5 Car Builder J.G. Brill Company
Year Built 1941 Year Acquired 1982
Type DE Suburban "Brilliner" Seats 58
Length 48'4" Width 8'10"
Height 10'0" Weight 42,350 lbs (21.2 tons)
Max Speed XX mph Status Stored inoperable, Trolley Display Building

Suburban growth was good for the Red Arrow Lines, as the Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company was popularly known, even through the Great Depression.  The 1932 cars (like car 78, also in the Museum's collection) were popular, reliable and profitable, and Red Arrow wanted ten more.

By 1941, the J.G. Brill Company was committed to its "Brilliner," and would build only that model, which left Red Arrow no choice - if they wanted Brill cars, they would get Brilliners.  And they got the last order of electric streetcars ever built by the J.G. Brill Company, at one time the largest streetcar manufacturer in the world.

Cars 1-10 proved to be every bit as successful as their predecessors, even though they used a lot more electricity - but the dramatic surge in wartime riding paid the heftier power bill with ease.  Thanks to the Red Arrow's superior maintenance, the Brilliners remained in service with the company and through the SEPTA years, for 41 years - about double their design life!

Click on the thumbnails below for larger photos (will open in new window):
Car 5 at Washington County Fairgrounds in 1983, shortly after arrival at the museum.
(Bruce P. Wells collection)		 # 5 in the Trolley Display Building, 2005
(John Smatlak photo)		 Car 5 operator position.
(Timothy P. Jones photo)		 Car 5 interior.
(Timothy P. Jones photo)

 

Last updated October 17, 2005
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