22-07-23 PHOTOS: National Capital Trolley Museum

Despite having lived in the Baltimore-Washington region for almost 20 years, I had yet to visit the National Capitol Trolley museum. Part of the reason why was due to my closer proximity to the Baltimore Streetcar Museum. The NCTM was also hit with both a fire and a requirement to relocate due to the construction of a new limited access highway which impacted operations and prompted a general "wait and see" mentality on my end. Perhaps the greatest factor in my procrastination is that I tend to get limited utility from museums, especially upon repeat visits as little changes from year to year and I just wind up duplicating the photos and videos I already have. Anyway, as the 2010's rolled into the 2020's I felt increasing pressure to rectify my lack of attendance and in the summer of 2022 I found someone willing to spend an afternoon with me at the NCTM. The following photos ( mirror ) and videos cover that visit as well as some additional Amtrak NEC and NJT Atlantic City Line photos taken around the same time.

Washington DC's claim to streetcar fame was its in-ground conduit electrification, that was necessary due to regulations against the use of overhead trolley wire within the district. Making use of electric conductors installed in old cable car cableways, the system was expensive to maintain and prone to disruption. It was nevertheless a defining feature of the DC streetcar scene and of course the NCTM...does not run any conduit trackage, opting instead for this display on the practice.

The DC streetcar system was also known for its jaunty 1950's livery and in this regard the museum does have one surviving DC PCC, #1101, painted in its iconic livery. However on the day I went it was not running and ws also displayed in a fashion that actively hindered photography with the front in severe low light and the rest standing behind clutter.

Due to the 2003 carbarn fire, the DC streetcar museum is rather light on DC streetcars. Only three additional DC related cars were on display in the main hall, with one of those being the 09 sweeper. Other DC cars are in the storage/restoration barn, but that was not open for tours.

After the fire, the NCTM had to pad out its collection with international streetcars that were readily available for purchase in the 2000's.

The one and only operating car that day was ex-TTC PCC #4602.

The NCTM got a sizable chunk of change as part of the highway induced relocation with a new carbarn and main building, yet compared to other streetcar museums, there was a notable lack of activity.

It also has a very nice excursion track with two passing points and a turnback loop at the far end. Intermediate stops appear intended for picnicking or exploration, but those options were not offered and with only a single operating car none of the passing infrastructure was put to the test.

Here is a video covering the inbound run out the rear window of the PCC.



The staff did a great job with the tools at their disposal, but compared to every other streetcar museum I have visited (specifically the Baltimore Streetcar Museum) NCTM seems to be lacking in both enthusiasm and innovation. This might be due to he BSM sucking dry the limited pool of potential volunteers and the fire/relocation sapping the spirits of those the NCTM had been able to attract. Or maybe I was just there on a "down" summer weekend that is not representative of the more usual operations.

Cutting to an unrelated Amtrak NEC run to New Jersey I'll start off with this meet between MARC MP36PH-3C #26 and Acela power car #2026 at the BWI Airport Rail Station.

At SEPTA's Market East station I caught Silverliners IV #450 and #177.

PATCO rebuild car #1030 at 8th and Market.

As I was filming my westbound PATCO rapid transit train, led by rebuilt car #1043, as it departed the Haddonfield Station, I turned around to find a southbound Atlantic City Line train following the PATCO through the lower level trench. The ACL train had Comet V cab car #6078 in the lead and was powered by NJT GP40PH-2B #4214. One of the cars on the Atlantic City Line trainset has the customary NJT flatspot.



My priority rail activity that weekend was getting some photos at the Atlantic City Line milepost 12.4 intermediate signal in Lindenwold, NJ. Here we have a northbound train with the same #4217 NJT GP40PH-2B and #6078 Comet V cab car I encountered at Haddonfield the day before.

This was followed by a southbound train led by Comet V cab car #6038 and propelled by GP40PH-2B #4215.

Last but not least is a side view of NJT GP40PH-2B #4219 at the site of the old VERNON tower in Haddonfield, NJ.

That's all for this set. Next time I'll be back with photos from the 2022 Reading and Northern #2102 and #425 doubleheader ramble.