I shot photo's along the Rt.56 back in 1986, some great shots were taken from Tyson, Princeton and Magee Avenues. Now that entire stretch leading up to the loop, has become a very dangerous area.
Hi Mark, Sounds like you've got memories of the good old days, when streetcars ran on Torresdale Ave. Thanks for watching. Stay well. Cheers, tassiebaz.
As a kid of curiosity. I stood on the corner of 10th & Erie. Watched all the trolleys turn on 10th street up to Luzerne Depot. I loved the sound PPC Air cars rumbling with load noises as they rode along Erie Avenue. 1950s what a great time
Hi Steve, Thanks for watching and for sharing your memories. I agree that the 50s was a great time. It's questionable that, even if the trolleys were running today, you'd be standing at 10th & Erie watching them. Cheers, tassiebaz.
Hi Robert, Thanks for watching and for your question. The track switches in Philadelphia only switched one rail. I'm glad you liked the presentation and appreciate you taking the time to let me know. Cheers, tassiebaz.😀
Hi Chris, Thanks for watching and for your astute observation. Sometimes there are interesting complementary views that are captured. Cheers, tassiebaz.
Even the trolleys that still exist in Philly have hard plastic chairs and the windows cannot be opened. Of course, the new ones are quieter and have air conditioning. These tin cans were hot as shit during the spring, summer and fall. The market-Frankford line was also extremely hot during the summer. Some time during the 90s they bought all new cars that are air conditioned. But, also have hard plastic seats.
Hi tarstarkusz, Thanks for watching and for your comment. I would guess the hard seats are there to reduce maintenance and vandalism. Regards, tassiebaz.
Hi Christopher, Thanks for watching and for your comment. Route 6 was even better when it used to go all the way to Willow Grove until about 1958. Stay well. Cheers, tassiebaz.
Thanx for posting this. I grew up in the 60's , a block away from the 56 trolley. Torresdale Ave. is still so familiar to me. At Wakeling St you passed my Jr. High. A little past Kinsey you passed my block. Never thought I'd lay eyes on it again. The trolleys look a lot more comfortable than in my day. Back then they were freezing in winter, sweltering in summer. And LOUD. We used to call them "cattle cars". And they would "pop" constantly. The operator would lose power, and have to re-connect rod (as we called it) Never thought I'd miss all that. Thanks for a great trip down memory lane!
Hi Sharon, Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment. I'm glad you liked the trolley scenes and also the background neighborhood pictures, and that it brought back some good memories for you. SEPTA began a trolley rebuilding project in 1979. The trolley cars were thoroughly rebuilt, with replacement of deteriorated frame and body panels, complete rewiring, and rebuilt wheel frames. Enough cars were on hand to equip Route 56 when trolley service was restored in June, 1980, so they probably were better than when you rode. Regards, tassiebaz.
So I’m downtown at that transit center, I see the cops assigned there and tell them I want to take the old PCCs, 15? I can’t remember, anyway the cop gives me a look like “why would you want to take that line?” He said don’t go past the zoo and I didn’t but had a great time riding the renovated PCC. Even saw a cracked rail they didn’t fix. Funny how I now work for a transit agency that has PCCs
Hi Randy, Thanks for watching and for your interesting story. When I was out photographing Route 15, I also was warned to stay away from particular areas. I could see why that advice was given, but I think things may be worse now than they were then. Anyhow, you did it and enjoyed it and returned safety. That's the most important thing. Cheers, tassiebaz. 😃
Rode the route 56 4 years while attending North Catholic. Was always late every time it rained. Only goid thing about the piece of shit line was during the snow. Trolleys were extra heavy and never had problems with snow. Bad part was when idiot's doubled parked blocking the trolley. Would often have to wait 5 minutes until car was moved.
Hi garbo, one of the main problems, rain, shine, or snow, was automobile drivers thoughtlessly leaving their car blocking the tracks. As the years passed, this became more and more prevalent and made the trolleys late. On the Erie Ave part of the line, the street was much wider, so there were less of this type of problem. Cheers, tassiebaz.
@@tassiebaz You are so correct. Worked at the old Cross Brothers slaughterhouse and once a month on a Friday or Saturday night a drunk would take out a Septa trolley stop on Erie Avenue and a Peco pole causing us to loise power. Got a lot of very easy overtime when we lost one ofbthe PECO 13000 volt services. Hit 1 button then turned a handle done in under a minute.Must have taken lazy SEPTA 10 years to remove all of the route 56 trolley tracks once they abandoned the line.
@@garbo8962 Not sure whether it was a SEPTA or City of Philadelphia responsibility to pave over the tracks. I note they paved over Torresdale Ave north of Frankford Ave pretty quickly. I haven't been there in a while, but I think the tracks on Erie Ave are still there, although all the overhead wires have been removed.
Hi Chris, Thanks for watching and for your comment. Anything is possible, and it's nice to think they might do it, but the likelihood of this happening is very, very low. Considerations include that the Route 56 tracks are completely paved over on Torresdale Avenue, as are many parts of Route 23. Luzerne Depot is completely gone and is now an industrial site. Bus Route 23 has been split into two parts, Routes 23 and 45. Also, there is not a thought about buying new equipment for these routes. Remember, this is Philadelphia and SEPTA we're taking about and there is not a good track record with this kind of thing. I'd be happy just to see Route 15 running with trolleys again. Stay well. Cheers, tassiebaz.
Why don't we just by the 56 minutes 23 bring the trolleys back to North Philadelphia 😎🎉 by the tracks and also landscaping it can be done except is not going to use the tracks not let the developers in the people run the trolley 🚊
Hi Reginald, Yes, and the Kawasaki trolleys are still running. The remanufactured PCCs were running on the 15, but have been "temporarily" discontinued to overhaul them. Thanks for watching and for your comment. Have a nice holiday season and a better 2021. Stay well. Cheers, tassiebaz.
If the 56 trolley route is brought back it won’t be the pcc cars that will be used , they only have 18 cars total and they have a hard time keeping the 15 trolley running with those pcc cars so imagine adding another route?
Hi Mr Big, Thanks for watching and for your thought-provoking comment. It would be lovely of trolleys were reinstated on Route 56, but I believe that is highly unlikely. Torresdale Avenue has been completely paved over. There was no time wasted in doing that. Also, the SEPTA bus network redesign shows Route 56 as bus with a permanent extension to Bakers Center on the west end. SEPTA doesn't seem to have the ambition to run trolleys unless they have to. Cheers, tassiebaz.
@@tassiebaz I will tell you growing up in the Port Richmond/ Fishtown Area my whole life and I’m 46 years old so I was around when it wasn’t the hip place it is now but with the exception of the 13 years from 92 to 05 there’s always been a pcc car zipping down Girard Ave turning and going up the ramp over Aramingo Ave and then making it onto Richmond street where I would see those things all day , when we would play baseball in the playground at Richmond and Westmoreland Streets we never needed a watch or some device to know what time it was because we knew how often the 15 trolley ran and I could be in center field running down a flyball and as soon as that trolley turned into the loop across the street you could hear those metal wheels grinding along those tracks and then when the back wheels would turn they would make that loud whaling high pitch sound which was like are version of Big Ben .We knew that was the 415 trolley we have to more to hear before we have to get home for dinner .
@@mrbig4532 Hi, Thanks for sharing your memories of the good old days. I am familiar with the areas about which you speak. Sounds like you are slightly too young to remember the Route 60 trolleys (gone in 1977) sharing the Richmond & Westmoreland loop with Route 15. Sometimes there were three of each route's trolleys there at the same time (along with a Route 73 bus too). It's a shame that SEPTA couldn't manage to operate the original PCC cars after about 40 years of service. Luckily San Francisco managed to do what SEPTA couldn't and the PCCs are happily running there. Even the PCCII cars lasted less than 15 years, and who knows if they will run again. If you are interested and have not seen them, I have a TH-cam video of Route 60, and several videos of Route 15 including in 2011 when they last went to Westmoreland loop. Just search my channel for the links. Cheers, tassiebaz.😀
@@tassiebaz I didn’t remember the 60 trolley I was only 1 year old when they took it off of Allegheny Ave but I remember the one that went up Erie Ave and ended at cottman and torresdale aves , I think it was the 56 but I can’t remember. But I used to joke around with my grandmother in mid 1980’s when they decided to repave Allegheny Ave , l asked where will she go on vacation now that they are removing the islands ( trolley stops) from Allegheny Ave. Which she thought was so funny and sad because she was born in a house on 600 Cornwall street in 1918 and always told stories that started off with we took the 60 trolley to the Ave (Everyone from that area just referred to Kensington Ave just as the Ave , like no other ones existed) and jumped on the EL. All of her stories when she was a kid started with getting on the 60 trolley , I didn’t know why she did that back then since I was only 10 years old but my mom told me that’s how she remembered it in her head so she would add it to whatever story she was telling, and after awhile I didn’t have to ask how old she was at the time of the story because she would either begin the story with I took Aramingo Ave because 95 wasn’t built yet which meant she was over 16 years old , but if it started with the 60 trolley that meant she was still not 16 yet . I made the mistake of asking why she always talked about how bad it was growing up during the depression yet you drove a car at 16 years old and that would really set her off about having to work three jobs along with her other 3 sisters who all worked 3 jobs , ( I don’t really think they worked 3 jobs and still had time to go to school.)just to have a car , and of course she would have to add ( you kids today have know idea how easy you have it , you and your sisters would of never survived with all the stuff you need just to walk one block to school.)
@@mrbig4532 Hi, Thanks for the lovely story. We used to refer to Kensington and Allegheny as K&A. Don't know why. None of the other streets intersecting Kensington Ave had that terminology. Cheers, tasssiebaz.
Hi donoteat01, Thanks for watching and for asking. Sure, use whatever footage you want and good luck with your venture. A credit would be much appreciated. Regards, tassiebaz.
We're Love Too See Change SEPTA Trolley Lines Restore Especially New Light Rail Vehicles Too one is for Tourists and one is for service An Epecially Expansion of the to the Northeast city Limits At Same Times
Hi paulgreen6921, Thanks for watching. The intention of this video is to show the interior and a view from the front end. Have a look at my video: th-cam.com/video/8RV6FhUxat0/w-d-xo.html for run-bys on Route 56. Cheers, tassiebaz. 😄
![Evolution of the Philadelphia Trolley | 1968 - 2021 [SEPTA Decline]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tVnhv5bMwNs/mqdefault.jpg)
Always liked the motorman's view of the track ahead.
Hi Carl, Thanks for watching and for your comment. I'm glad you liked the video and appreciate you taking the time to let me know. Cheers, tassiebaz.
Hi Carl, Thanks for watching and for your comment. I'm glad you liked the video and appreciate you taking the time to let me know. Cheers, tassiebaz.
I shot photo's along the Rt.56 back in 1986, some great shots were taken from Tyson, Princeton and Magee Avenues. Now that entire stretch leading up to the loop, has become a very dangerous area.
Hi Mark, Sounds like you've got memories of the good old days, when streetcars ran on Torresdale Ave. Thanks for watching. Stay well. Cheers, tassiebaz.
As a kid of curiosity. I stood on the corner of 10th & Erie. Watched all the trolleys turn on 10th street up to Luzerne Depot. I loved the sound PPC Air cars rumbling with load noises as they rode along Erie Avenue.
1950s what a great time
Hi Steve, Thanks for watching and for sharing your memories. I agree that the 50s was a great time. It's questionable that, even if the trolleys were running today, you'd be standing at 10th & Erie watching them. Cheers, tassiebaz.
I was 8 when this was filmed, but i do remember riding the 23 trolley when i was young, now i work for the company as a trolley operator!
Are now a subway-surface trolley operator 🚊
Wonderful! Thank you for posting this. Did the track switches switch both rails or just one? Could not get a good view but looked like just one!
Hi Robert, Thanks for watching and for your question. The track switches in Philadelphia only switched one rail. I'm glad you liked the presentation and appreciate you taking the time to let me know. Cheers, tassiebaz.😀
15:30. That classic old school SEPTA Neoplan bus sound and takeoff
Hi Chris, Thanks for watching and for your astute observation. Sometimes there are interesting complementary views that are captured. Cheers, tassiebaz.
Even the trolleys that still exist in Philly have hard plastic chairs and the windows cannot be opened. Of course, the new ones are quieter and have air conditioning. These tin cans were hot as shit during the spring, summer and fall. The market-Frankford line was also extremely hot during the summer. Some time during the 90s they bought all new cars that are air conditioned. But, also have hard plastic seats.
Hi tarstarkusz, Thanks for watching and for your comment. I would guess the hard seats are there to reduce maintenance and vandalism. Regards, tassiebaz.
MFL does not have cars with plastic seats. They're metal with fabric inserts and are being changed to have fiberglass inserts.
The BSL cars have plastic seats, not the MFL.
They feel pretty hard to me.
It's funny how we still call those Kawasaki cars the "new trolleys" and they over 40 years old now! LOL
I grew up riding these on the 6 and 23 between 1981 and 1985. I so miss these, especially on the 6 on Ogontz Avenue.
Hi Christopher, Thanks for watching and for your comment. Route 6 was even better when it used to go all the way to Willow Grove until about 1958. Stay well. Cheers, tassiebaz.
Thanx for posting this. I grew up in the 60's , a block away from the 56 trolley. Torresdale Ave. is still so familiar to me. At Wakeling St you passed my Jr. High. A little past Kinsey you passed my block. Never thought I'd lay eyes on it again. The trolleys look a lot more comfortable than in my day. Back then they were freezing in winter, sweltering in summer. And LOUD. We used to call them "cattle cars". And they would "pop" constantly. The operator would lose power, and have to re-connect rod (as we called it) Never thought I'd miss all that. Thanks for a great trip down memory lane!
Hi Sharon, Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment. I'm glad you liked the trolley scenes and also the background neighborhood pictures, and that it brought back some good memories for you.
SEPTA began a trolley rebuilding project in 1979. The trolley cars were thoroughly rebuilt, with replacement of deteriorated frame and body panels, complete rewiring, and rebuilt wheel frames. Enough cars were on hand to equip Route 56 when trolley service was restored in June, 1980, so they probably were better than when you rode. Regards, tassiebaz.
@@tassiebaz Thanks again. And I hope you have more journeys to post!
Awesome, it was a real treat to see Venango Loop in action! Trolleys>Buses
Hi isak, Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment. Regards, tassiebaz.
So I’m downtown at that transit center, I see the cops assigned there and tell them I want to take the old PCCs, 15? I can’t remember, anyway the cop gives me a look like “why would you want to take that line?” He said don’t go past the zoo and I didn’t but had a great time riding the renovated PCC. Even saw a cracked rail they didn’t fix. Funny how I now work for a transit agency that has PCCs
Hi Randy, Thanks for watching and for your interesting story. When I was out photographing Route 15, I also was warned to stay away from particular areas. I could see why that advice was given, but I think things may be worse now than they were then. Anyhow, you did it and enjoyed it and returned safety. That's the most important thing. Cheers, tassiebaz. 😃
Rode the route 56 4 years while attending North Catholic. Was always late every time it rained. Only goid thing about the piece of shit line was during the snow. Trolleys were extra heavy and never had problems with snow. Bad part was when idiot's doubled parked blocking the trolley. Would often have to wait 5 minutes until car was moved.
Hi garbo, one of the main problems, rain, shine, or snow, was automobile drivers thoughtlessly leaving their car blocking the tracks. As the years passed, this became more and more prevalent and made the trolleys late. On the Erie Ave part of the line, the street was much wider, so there were less of this type of problem. Cheers, tassiebaz.
@@tassiebaz You are so correct. Worked at the old Cross Brothers slaughterhouse and once a month on a Friday or Saturday night a drunk would take out a Septa trolley stop on Erie Avenue and a Peco pole causing us to loise power. Got a lot of very easy overtime when we lost one ofbthe PECO 13000 volt services. Hit 1 button then turned a handle done in under a minute.Must have taken lazy SEPTA 10 years to remove all of the route 56 trolley tracks once they abandoned the line.
@@garbo8962 Not sure whether it was a SEPTA or City of Philadelphia responsibility to pave over the tracks. I note they paved over Torresdale Ave north of Frankford Ave pretty quickly. I haven't been there in a while, but I think the tracks on Erie Ave are still there, although all the overhead wires have been removed.
Do you think it’s possible septa can restore the 23 and 56 trolleys?
Hi Chris, Thanks for watching and for your comment. Anything is possible, and it's nice to think they might do it, but the likelihood of this happening is very, very low. Considerations include that the Route 56 tracks are completely paved over on Torresdale Avenue, as are many parts of Route 23. Luzerne Depot is completely gone and is now an industrial site. Bus Route 23 has been split into two parts, Routes 23 and 45. Also, there is not a thought about buying new equipment for these routes. Remember, this is Philadelphia and SEPTA we're taking about and there is not a good track record with this kind of thing. I'd be happy just to see Route 15 running with trolleys again. Stay well. Cheers, tassiebaz.
Why don't we just by the 56 minutes 23 bring the trolleys back to North Philadelphia 😎🎉 by the tracks and also landscaping it can be done except is not going to use the tracks not let the developers in the people run the trolley 🚊
I remember seeing these trolleys and the kawasaki trolley running on the 10 in the 90s
Hi Reginald, Yes, and the Kawasaki trolleys are still running. The remanufactured PCCs were running on the 15, but have been "temporarily" discontinued to overhaul them. Thanks for watching and for your comment. Have a nice holiday season and a better 2021. Stay well. Cheers, tassiebaz.
@@tassiebaz can not wait to see the new future septa trolleys
If the 56 trolley route is brought back it won’t be the pcc cars that will be used , they only have 18 cars total and they have a hard time keeping the 15 trolley running with those pcc cars so imagine adding another route?
Hi Mr Big, Thanks for watching and for your thought-provoking comment. It would be lovely of trolleys were reinstated on Route 56, but I believe that is highly unlikely. Torresdale Avenue has been completely paved over. There was no time wasted in doing that. Also, the SEPTA bus network redesign shows Route 56 as bus with a permanent extension to Bakers Center on the west end. SEPTA doesn't seem to have the ambition to run trolleys unless they have to. Cheers, tassiebaz.
@@tassiebaz I will tell you growing up in the Port Richmond/ Fishtown Area my whole life and I’m 46 years old so I was around when it wasn’t the hip place it is now but with the exception of the 13 years from 92 to 05 there’s always been a pcc car zipping down Girard Ave turning and going up the ramp over Aramingo Ave and then making it onto Richmond street where I would see those things all day , when we would play baseball in the playground at Richmond and Westmoreland Streets we never needed a watch or some device to know what time it was because we knew how often the 15 trolley ran and I could be in center field running down a flyball and as soon as that trolley turned into the loop across the street you could hear those metal wheels grinding along those tracks and then when the back wheels would turn they would make that loud whaling high pitch sound which was like are version of Big Ben .We knew that was the 415 trolley we have to more to hear before we have to get home for dinner .
@@mrbig4532 Hi, Thanks for sharing your memories of the good old days. I am familiar with the areas about which you speak. Sounds like you are slightly too young to remember the Route 60 trolleys (gone in 1977) sharing the Richmond & Westmoreland loop with Route 15. Sometimes there were three of each route's trolleys there at the same time (along with a Route 73 bus too). It's a shame that SEPTA couldn't manage to operate the original PCC cars after about 40 years of service. Luckily San Francisco managed to do what SEPTA couldn't and the PCCs are happily running there. Even the PCCII cars lasted less than 15 years, and who knows if they will run again.
If you are interested and have not seen them, I have a TH-cam video of Route 60, and several videos of Route 15 including in 2011 when they last went to Westmoreland loop. Just search my channel for the links. Cheers, tassiebaz.😀
@@tassiebaz I didn’t remember the 60 trolley I was only 1 year old when they took it off of Allegheny Ave but I remember the one that went up Erie Ave and ended at cottman and torresdale aves , I think it was the 56 but I can’t remember. But I used to joke around with my grandmother in mid 1980’s when they decided to repave Allegheny Ave , l asked where will she go on vacation now that they are removing the islands ( trolley stops) from Allegheny Ave. Which she thought was so funny and sad because she was born in a house on 600 Cornwall street in 1918 and always told stories that started off with we took the 60 trolley to the Ave (Everyone from that area just referred to Kensington Ave just as the Ave , like no other ones existed) and jumped on the EL. All of her stories when she was a kid started with getting on the 60 trolley , I didn’t know why she did that back then since I was only 10 years old but my mom told me that’s how she remembered it in her head so she would add it to whatever story she was telling, and after awhile I didn’t have to ask how old she was at the time of the story because she would either begin the story with I took Aramingo Ave because 95 wasn’t built yet which meant she was over 16 years old , but if it started with the 60 trolley that meant she was still not 16 yet . I made the mistake of asking why she always talked about how bad it was growing up during the depression yet you drove a car at 16 years old and that would really set her off about having to work three jobs along with her other 3 sisters who all worked 3 jobs , ( I don’t really think they worked 3 jobs and still had time to go to school.)just to have a car , and of course she would have to add ( you kids today have know idea how easy you have it , you and your sisters would of never survived with all the stuff you need just to walk one block to school.)
@@mrbig4532 Hi, Thanks for the lovely story. We used to refer to Kensington and Allegheny as K&A. Don't know why. None of the other streets intersecting Kensington Ave had that terminology. Cheers, tasssiebaz.
hey - any chance i could use some of this footage for a video on the route 56 and possible restoration to BRT/light rail today?
Hi donoteat01, Thanks for watching and for asking. Sure, use whatever footage you want and good luck with your venture. A credit would be much appreciated. Regards, tassiebaz.
@@tassiebaz absolutely, thanks!
@@tassiebaz used footage from a different vid of yours, but the video is up!
thanks!
th-cam.com/video/zcxezjtw1Ak/w-d-xo.html
It appears trollys can only go where the tracks take them...couldn't "switch".
There were switches on the line
* "trolleys"
My bro drove 23 car
Hi Ted, Thanks for watching and for your comment. Your brother must have some interesting memories. Cheers, tassiebaz.😃
4:49
Hi Christopher, Thanks for watching. Cheers, tassiebaz.
We're Love Too See Change SEPTA Trolley Lines Restore Especially New Light Rail Vehicles Too one is for Tourists and one is for service An Epecially Expansion of the to the Northeast city Limits At Same Times
Hi Bartender Edge, Thanks for watching and for your comment. Regards, tassiebaz.
Watching the trolley interior is a little boring. You know? PWG
Hi paulgreen6921, Thanks for watching. The intention of this video is to show the interior and a view from the front end. Have a look at my video: th-cam.com/video/8RV6FhUxat0/w-d-xo.html for run-bys on Route 56. Cheers, tassiebaz. 😄