Rapid Transit Cars

Brill 1927 SEPTA 55
Brill 1927
SEPTA 55
Description:Railroad-roof steel subway

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 ā€˜Lā€™ 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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