Equipment Information

SEPTA 55 is a heavyweight steel subway car from the Broad Street Subway line in Philadelphia. It was built to a much wider and longer design than Chicago ‘L’ cars owing to more generous clearances on the BSS line. It is the only example of the original fleet of cars for the BSS preserved in operating condition.

Builder: J. G. Brill Company
Year Built: 1927
Seats: 67
Length: 67ft 6in
Width: 10ft
Height: 12ft 4in
Weight: 110000 lbs
Brakes: AMUE
Motors: 2 WH 581A1
Control: ABF-XM115
Compressor: D3F
Trucks: Commonwealth Steel Company
Description: Double End / Double Truck / Railroad Roof / Subway
Arrived: 1985
Condition: Complete / unrestored / operational

Photo gallery

Ownership History
1927-1968 – City of Philadelphia, PA
1968-1985 – Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
1985-present – Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL

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