USA: According to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, SEPTA, eight of 18 trolleys, as trams are called locally, are ready for operation. The upgraded trams, named the PCC IIIs, can accommodate 103 passengers, including 40 seated.
The restoration of the vehicles, which date to 1947, commenced in 2020 for the reason of frame corrosion and other safety issues. The cost of the repair work is around $250,000 per unit. In fact, the refurbished trams have only their previous bodies left, which are completely overhauled. The rolling stock is now equipped with new motors, braking and control systems, and the whole interior is renewed. It is stated that the restoration team has had to reverse engineer some components which are no longer manufactured.
It is worth noting that the trams were already restored between 2002 and 2004 by Brookville (USA) under a comprehensive rebuilding programme which included new bogies, electrical equipment, interior fittings, and also air conditioning and wheelchair lifts.
