I am visiting Fort Worth on business and very surprised to see large photos of the first generation Leonard's subway cars in several public displays. One photo of the ex-DC Transit cars is at a bus shelter across from the Worthington Hotel, and the other is inside the hotel on the 7th floor elevator lobby. The text for both photos proudly refer to the fact that the subway was the world's only privately owned subway.

Wesley

McKinney Ave. has acquired and operated one of the cars, but I think it was in 2nd generation, boxy Tandy condition.

I don't know where it was. It was many years ago. But while traveling through Fort Worth on the "Texas Chief" later the "Lone Star" between buildings there was a yard full of DC PCC's .

I only know about the McKinney Ave. streetcar operation from reports and their website, but last I heard was that the Leonard's Subway car is rarely, if ever in service these days. The impression that I've received is that their shop and workers are more familiar with Type-K controllers and Westinghouse air brakes, than with PCC systems, and thus their older cars do most, if not all, of the runs. One amusing sidelight on the Leonard's car is that its boxy shape reminded someone of a motor home, so it's nickname is "Winnie" as in "Winnebago". I'm hoping to visit Dallas this year or next, and would like to get a photo of "Winnie" next to our "Lazy Daze" motor home.

Winnie was moved out last year, to join the ex Toronto cars in storage at the DART facility.

When I visited the Tandy subway in 2000 I had the chance to look at the cars from the pit. The ex-DC Transit cars were in pretty much the same shape underneath from when they left Washington. That is, some of the equipment still had shop dates handwritten in DCTS yellow paint, etc. Tandy built new upper bodies but the sub-flooring and below the floor was vintage DCTS. It was amazing what the Tandy crew was able to do to keep the cars going. It was worth the visit. I wish McKinney well with Winnie, and I am glad one of the first generation car bodies survives in Fort Worth.

Wesley