With Bob's earlier posts regarding the "new" PCC cars that Brookville is rebuilding for Philly, I had a question about the trucks. The page on the rebuilt project mentions that the trucks are being replaced with those of European make. Who makes these, and are they modern developments of the original PCC trucks developed by TRC? I think one of the more interesting aspects of the PCC cars is that the technology, when exported to Europe was further developed and is finding its way back here to the U.S.

They're not actually European trucks. They're designed and manufactured by Brookville Equipment in Pennsylvania, the company that is rebuilding SEPTA's PCC's. Brookville has also supplied trucks and control equipment to NORTA in New Orleans for their 2000-series Canal Line replica cars. The Brookville truck is fairly similar to the PCC truck but is supposed to be something of a refined design.

Frank Hicks

I can confirm that the trucks in questions were designed and made by Brookville Equipment Corp. They somewhat follow the PCC B3 design but are considerably beefier, weighing around 12,000 lb to the 8,600 of the PCC design as used under late 40s cars. The wheels use a rubber cushioned design just as did the PCC truck, but this version has no parts in common with the older types. The wheels are a product of Penn Machine Co. of Johnstown, PA.

Is there still a source for PCC wheels? I realize that most museum bound PCCs probably won't wear wheels out for some time, but where do the fleets like SF's F line get replacement wheels and centers?

APTA's Heritage Trolley site has a blurb about the Brookville Truck. See

http://www.heritagetrolley.org/existNewOrleansBR1.htm

for a description (yes they went on NOL's new cars first) Here's the link to the Phila cars:

http://www.heritagetrolley.org/planPhiladelphia.htm

Really good newspiece from January on the public benefit to Philadelphia of keeping and reviving the historic trolley line, also from Seashore's APTA site:

http://www.heritagetrolley.org/planPhiladelphia2.htm

Of course, the Girard Ave line is still not running, due to SEPTA's failure to consult with the city over the need to change traffic patterns on some streets.

Penn Machine can still make all the different versions of the PCC wheels. Not sure about the rubber sandwiches or the special bolts, but I assume they can be sourced.

New wheels are about $300 each, but you can get 250,000 miles out of them.

Hi Jan,

From what Brookville had indicated, they had developed the trucks. They apparently are the same ones used in New Orleans on thier new cars.

Karl J.