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PCC 322 shown here in Fall 2000 was originally built by the St. Louis Car Company in December 1946, and went into service in the Twin Cities in January 1947. TCRT sold it to Newark NJ In June 1953, becoming their car 3. In 1978, it was resold along with car 416 (Newark 27) to Shaker Heights (OH) Rapid Transit, part of the Cleveland RTA.
With delivery of new cars for SHRT in 1982-1983, 3 and 27 were parked. In 1990, the Minnesota Transportation Museum was able to buy them and bring them back as a pair. 322 was restored over a stretch of 9-1/2 years and a cost of under $50,000. Her first full season on the line was in Summer 2000.
There were a couple of minor malfunctions in the first months of operation, but since the middle of the 2001 season, the cause of one of the strange happenings was tracked down and corrected. After Memorial Day operations the car was taken out of service, and the swing links in the rear truck were completely re-built. The car has an improved ride and is quieter.
In the subsequent years, the Minnesota Streetcar Museum now runs the electric operations of the Minnesota Transportation Museum, and 322 remains in the collection.
With delivery of new cars for SHRT in 1982-1983, 3 and 27 were parked. In 1990, the Minnesota Transportation Museum was able to buy them and bring them back as a pair. 322 was restored over a stretch of 9-1/2 years and a cost of under $50,000. Her first full season on the line was in Summer 2000.
There were a couple of minor malfunctions in the first months of operation, but since the middle of the 2001 season, the cause of one of the strange happenings was tracked down and corrected. After Memorial Day operations the car was taken out of service, and the swing links in the rear truck were completely re-built. The car has an improved ride and is quieter.
In the subsequent years, the Minnesota Streetcar Museum now runs the electric operations of the Minnesota Transportation Museum, and 322 remains in the collection.
John DeWitt photo courtesy the Jim Willmore collection
