JeffK wrote:
I can't imagine even SEPTA would forget to be able to connect 2 cars. Then again, there was the mess with the N-5 sanders that I mentioned in another post...
Historically, Philadelphia didn't do much, in the city, with multi car "train" operation of streetcars. During WWI, the Hog Island Cars (PRT 4000 class) were operated as MU trains from the Hog Island ship yard to 40th & Market Streets, but this lasted only until the ship yard was closed following the end of that War. Some of the same cars were operated as trains during WWII on the 79 slash ( later 79s) which ran from the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot to the Navy Yard, but again, this was a wartime measure. Prior to 1920, there was some use of motor-trailer combinations, using 5000 series Hogs and converted older equipment, but this did not survive the 1920's ( the last trailer car was scrapped in 1923). Hence, by the time the PCC's arrived, the only reason to couple two units together was for towing purposes, hence the use of draw bars.