Specifications for the
proposed rebuilding of 18 PCC cars that would be used to resume streetcar
service on Route 15-Girard are undergoing final review before being issued to
prospective bidders (see RTOL, Jan. 2001). The job will include replacement of
the accelerator with a DC chopper, fitting of new stainless steel step wells,
the addition of air conditioning, installation of a wheelchair lift at the
center door (the choice of the lift type will be made by the winning bidder) and
re-use of existing trucks and motors. This will extend the service life of the
cars for 15 years, when it would be time to replace the existing Kawasaki fleet
used on the five subway-surface lines. Eighteen firms have reportedly indicated
they would be interested in bidding on the work, and a pre-proposal meeting will
be held on Apr. 9 at SEPTA's Market Street offices. The schedule is demanding,
as SEPTA would like to place the line in service in April 2002, a very ambitious
target date. Fifteen PCCs would replace the 13 buses now used on the line,
leaving three spare streetcars. Some concern has been expressed that this may
be an inadequate reserve, so there has been discussion of expanding the number
of cars to be rehabilitated. The line will likely operate out of Callow Hill
depot for some time until the location of a long-term storage and maintenance
facility plan is agreed to by the city and SEPTA.
