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Don's Rail Photos
Third Avenue Railway
Center Door Passenger Cars
The 550s were built in the company shops in the late 1930s (except for the 551) after other companies were buying PCCs at this time. All of the cars were sold to Companhia Municipal de Transportes Coletivos of Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Feb 28, 1947.
551 was the first and was built by Brill in 1936. It was a prototype based on the Peter Witt design. All aluminum alloy, it originally had PCM control, but it was later changed to K35. It was the only car of the group with a trolley pole, but it was later rebuilt to the standard features of the other cars.
554 was built by TARS in 1937. It was aluminum alloy and painted buff.
555 was built by TARS in 1937. It was in natural aluminum covered in varnish.
556 thru 600 were built by TARS in 1938 and were aluminum alloy construction. 563 had a buff paint scheme for awhile.
565 was built by TARS in 1938. It was aluminum alloy.
569 was built by TARS in 1938. It was aluminum alloy.
574 was built by TARS in 1938. It was aluminum alloy.
597 was built by TARS in 1938. It was aluminum alloy.
601 was built in the company shops in 1936 and 602 thru 625 were built in 1937. They were lightweight steel and were distinguised by their rib sides. They were over 3000 pounds heavier than the aluminum alloy cars.
601 was built by TARS in 1936. It was lightweight steel.
610 was built by TARS in 1937. It was lightweight steel.
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Memorial of St. Frithbert of Hexham
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Choose Life.
Mom did.
Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me,
for Thou art the God of my salvation; for Thee I wait all the day long
-- Psalm 25:5
