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PCC streetcar facts for kids

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PCC streetcar
San Francisco F line streetcars at Jones.jpg
Three PCCs on the San Francisco Municipal Railway's F-line. An example of one double-ended streetcar and two former SEPTA cars.
Inside TCRT PCC Streetcar 322.jpg
Interior of a PCC car
Manufacturer St. Louis Car Company
Pullman-Standard
Constructed 1936-1952
Entered service 1936-
Scrapped 1950s-1998
Number built 5000
Capacity 52-61 Seats
Specifications
Car length 46-50.5 ft
Width 100-108 inches
Weight 35,000-42,000 lbs
Traction system 4 x 55 HP motors, 43/6 (~7.17) gear ratio
Electric system(s) 600 VDC full electric
Braking system(s) 1)-Dynamic Service Braking; 2)-Friction for Final Stop, Park; 3)-Magnetic
Track gauge Wide, Standard, Narrow Gauges

The PCC streetcar is a special type of tram or streetcar that was first designed in the United States in the 1930s. PCC stands for Presidents' Conference Committee. This committee was made up of leaders from different streetcar companies. They worked together to create a new, modern streetcar design. This design became very popular and successful.

What Makes a PCC Streetcar Special?

The PCC streetcar was a big step forward in public transport. It was designed to be much better than older streetcars.

  • Smooth Ride: PCC cars had a smoother and quieter ride. This made trips more comfortable for passengers.
  • Faster and Safer: They could speed up and slow down quickly. This helped them keep to schedules better. They also had advanced brakes for safety.
  • Modern Look: The design was sleek and modern for its time. It looked very different from older, boxy trams.
  • Easy to Drive: Drivers found them easier to control. This was thanks to new foot pedals for power and braking.

How the PCC Design Changed Trams

The PCC design was so good that it was used to build about 5,000 streetcars. Most of these were built in the United States. After World War II, other countries around the world also started using the PCC design. This helped modernize tram systems in many places.

PCC Streetcars Today

Even though they were designed a long time ago, many PCC streetcars are still in use today! They have proven to be very strong and reliable. You can still see them operating in various cities, like San Francisco, where they are a popular sight. These old but reliable trams have become a lasting symbol of streetcar history.

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