How did the El deal with crowds?

[mcgrath618]

Greetings.

I was recently doing some research for fun when I came across this document, detailing some of the operations of various elevated subway lines in the US:
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/54009/5 ... 4009-h.htm

In this document (which I recommend everyone read), I came across this interesting piece of information regarding our El:

This line first began service in 1905 and during the year 1920 handled approximately 80,000,000 passengers.

The El currently is at capacity with 65,500,000 yearly boardings. How did they deal with a 20% greater ridership in the 20s? The platforms have always been built for 6 car trains, and it was my understanding that the original Brill stock had less capacity than the M-3s or M-4s.

Was this peak ridership? I find it hard to imagine any more ridership than that in the 1940s...

[Patrick Boylan]

Where do you get your understanding that the original equipment had less capacity? They had longitudinal seats, so all other things being equal they should have more capacity. Is it possible that your understanding is that they had fewer seats? That wouldn't account for the standees.
Also the original equipment manufacturer was Pressed Steel. Brill built the 2nd and 3rd orders.

[mcgrath618]

Where do you get your understanding that the original equipment had less capacity? They had longitudinal seats, so all other things being equal they should have more capacity. Is it possible that your understanding is that they had fewer seats? That wouldn't account for the standees.
Also the original equipment manufacturer was Pressed Steel. Brill built the 2nd and 3rd orders.

That is precisely where my misconception was coming from. They must have been pressed like sardines!

[JimBoylan]

1920 was before the Frankford El opened with more and larger cars.
There are now 218 or less cars in passenger service, 2 others are used for work service. In 1920, there were 215 Market St. cars, but since the extension to Frankford wasn't yet opened, those cars, while smaller, could run more frequently on the shorter route. When the extension to Frankford was opened, 100 more larger cars entered service.