Speaking of Chris Sanderson . . . This photo taken on June 6, 1954 shows the Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Cos final run of its trolleys in West Chester under the sponsorship of the National Railway Historical Society. Trolley number 14, together with number 24, made the final run that afternoon, stopping at various points along the line for photographers. This photographer caught 14, graffiti and all, at the intersection of High and Gay Streets in West Chester, its trolley pole set for the last journey down the pike. The next day, operations began to tear up the tracks that had carried cars into West Chester since 1899. If one looks closely, one can see Chris Sanderson sitting in the window of the trolley, he not being one to miss such an important occasion. In the background one can see the Preftakes Confectionary, the T.T. Smith Building (with the turrets), and, just to its left, the sign for Camera Craft, Inc.. The buildings to the left, up to the firehouse, have since been demolished for a parking lot. Note the signs on Gay Street--it was still a two-way street when this photo was taken! Built in 1949 by the St. Louis Car Company, numbers 14 and 24 survived well into the SEPTA era, and were retired in 1982. Today, both cars reside at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington, Pennsylvania. 14 has been restored to its former glory. 24 remains unrestored. Photo from my personal collection.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Sep 2014 22:52:24 +0000
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