The PCC Car: An American Original
PCC Cars Are Both Historic and Available

PCC cars were designed according to standards developed by the Electric Railway President's Conference Committee ("PCC") in the 1930's. They are quiet, fast and comfortable. They are powered by four 55 horsepower DC electric motors, with a top speed of 50 mph. The cars have operating controls at one end. They are 46 feet, 5 and 3/8 inches long, and 8 feet, 5 and 3/8 inches wide. Depending upon internal configuration, they seat 50 to 60 passengers.

Municipal Railway car 1053 on Market Street in downtown San Francisco

The cars are standard railroad gauge, 4 feet, 8 1/2 inches. They require rails permanently embedded in the street, and an overhead wire system for current distribution. The current is 600 volts DC. The tracks do not impede traffic. The overhead wire is 18 to 20 feet above the pavement.

Kenosha Transit (WI) 4609; in operation 2004.

SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) 2320; rebuilt 2004.

TTC (Toronto Transportation Commission) 4617; rebuilt 1991, operates at East Troy Electric Railroad.

SEPTA 2777 operating in city streets, Philadelphia, 1980s.