By Railfan & Railroad Staff

The  Electric City Trolley Museum of Scranton has donated a rare 1906 semi-convertible streetcar built by J.G. Brill to the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington, Pa. The car arrived at the museum on August 21. 

Philadelphia Rapid Transit 2282 was used on and beneath the streets of Philadelphia in the early 20th century. It is one of the oldest Philadelphia streetcars still in existence. It was modified into a “Pay Within” car in 1908 that featured air operated doors and folding steps to cut down on injuries and fare evasion. It was sold in 1923 to the Shamokin & Edgewood Electric Railway Co., to serve communities in Northumberland County. It ran there until 1938 when it was sold and converted into a building. 

In 1967, it was rescued by Ed Blossom and moved to the Magee Transportation Museum in Bloomsburg, Pa. After Magee closed due to damage by Hurricane Agnes it went to Dushore, Pa., and then later moved to Philadelphia to be part of a planned streetcar museum. It was stored outside at Woodland Car House and survived the disastrous car house fire there in 1975. The car’s exterior has been partially painted and was recently stored indoors at the Electric City Trolley Museum. 

“Car 2282 is truly a survivor!” said PTM Executive Director and CEO Scott Becker. “It will be a significant addition to PTM’s collection since we do not have a car like this, and it will help to round out the museum’s Philadelphia collection of streetcars. PTM has most of the parts to make this car operational in the future. It is safely stored indoors until it can be restored to operation.”

For more information, visit patrolley.org.