Weekend Update 1/22/17

[muktown128]

Ron,

I received the following response from the person at the PPG Refinish Color Library yesterday "Finding nothing so far."
I replied back, asking if this is a dead end or are there some other things and/or places that he can check.
Doesn't look promising at this point however.

Scott

[R L Smith]

Thank you for you efforts Scott. I have a few more days before I need to report back; at which time I'll ask the Customer for direction.

Ron

[jmlaboda - RIP]

For example, the two images below of # 7407 were taken on the same night, but the lighting is different enough to cause doubt...

Try contacting MUNI in San Francisco... they have a slew of PCCs in various paint schemes and may be able to help you determine an appropriate paint for what you are wanting to do... I will bet that they will be glad to help!!!

Looks like you have plenty of PCCs to draw from...

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3349919
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2670540

[CNscale]

Aren't there some of these PCC cars still in service for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)?

The last PCC cars in Toronto were retired from regular service in 1995, but the TTC still has two it uses for special occasions and charters.

At their peak in the late 50s the TTC had about 750 of them.

[R L Smith]

Thanks Jerry. I know MUNI takes great pride in their fleet.

[johnb]

The last PCC cars in Toronto were retired from regular service in 1995, but the TTC still has two it uses for special occasions and charters.

At their peak in the late 50s the TTC had about 750 of them.

Phoenix bought at least one, they were planning on using it as the first car of their light rail...until they got it here and found out that they are a 5 foot gauge.

And one member of the AZRM spent a lot of time restoring it

[jmlaboda - RIP]

The production of PCCs was quite unique with some cars built to standard gauge while others were built to narrow gauge or broad gauge.  It is one thing that makes the restoration of some cars a bit of a challenge.  Not too sure exactly how altering the gauge on the cars is done nor do I know how difficult doing this work is but the end result is a car that will be appreciated by those who choose to ride them.  May many many more yet be returned to the rails of great cities... carrying on the tradition that started so many decades before.

[jagged ben]

That F market car photo evidently contains a bonus glimpse of a brand new Muni LRV in the background.  I don't think they've been released into the wild yet.  (EDIT: oh wait, is that photo from Brookville?) 

[johnb]

The production of PCCs was quite unique with some cars built to standard gauge while others were built to narrow gauge or broad gauge.  It is one thing that makes the restoration of some cars a bit of a challenge.  Not too sure exactly how altering the gauge on the cars is done nor do I know how difficult doing this work is but the end result is a car that will be appreciated by those who choose to ride them.  May many many more yet be returned to the rails of great cities... carrying on the tradition that started so many decades before.

The LARY had 42" gauge cars, and a few are running at the OERM

[narrowminded]

A lot of trolleys were broad gauge.  Pittsburgh was and still is 5' 2 1/2" as were New Orleans and Cincinnati.  Philadelphia is 5' 2 1/4".  BART is at 5' 6".  I don't think it would be that hard to re-gauge as needed.  Not when you think about the extensive work that would go in to a ground up rebuild. 

[nkalanaga]

Especially with inside-frame trucks.   Just design the truck frame for the narrowest gauge you want, and spread the wheels/brakes from there as needed.

[muktown128]

Ron,

I received the following response from the person at the PPG Refinish Color Library yesterday "Finding nothing so far."
I replied back, asking if this is a dead end or are there some other things and/or places that he can check.
Doesn't look promising at this point however.

Scott

I got a follow up response yesterday - "Ended up being a dead end"
Sorry I couldn't provide any assistance on this project for you.

Scott

[R L Smith]

Scott, many thanks for your efforts.  I really appreciate it.

Ron


PS Yes, that is an LRV in the background, but it is for another city. We have some other nifty things in the shop right now too...