1430
YOU can help us restore transit history!
Work is under way to restore a rare 81 year old piece of Washington DC history. And we need your help.
Capital Transit Company 1430 is undergoing restoration - led by two dedicated student volunteers and an transit preservation champion.
ABOUT CAPITAL TRANSIT 1430
Constructed in 1944 under sanctions of the War Production Board, cars Capital Transit 1400-1464 earned the nick-name of "War Baby PCCs." Although built to prewar specifications, cars in this order were stripped of all non-essentials, including the traditional PCC headlight wings and curved aluminum trim at the car ends, which was replaced by dark grey striping. Painted steel replaced chromed anti-climbers, and stainless steel window sash, window guards and seat frames. Capital Transit also modified 1430 with air-operated drum brakes in lieu of tread brake shoes. These cars also were the first in Washington to feature dash lights.
Capital Transit 1430 was based at the Northern Division (Decatur) and provided service on 14th Street. Considered the least well-constructed PCC cars in the fleet, the cars in the 1400-1464 series were the first PCCs stored as ridership declined in the late 1950s.
Rockhill Trolley Museum purchased Capital Transit Transit 1430 from a junk dealer in 1966 and traded the car to NCTM in 1997.
1430 RESTORATION CAMPAIGN
Student volunteers Anthony and Andrew Vo have decided to begin the restoration of 1430, starting with the car’s interior. Car 1430 was selected because its body is in the best condition of the three Washington PCC type streetcars in our collection. Assisting the brothers will be Harry Donahue, a member of both National Capital Trolley Museum and Baltimore Streetcar Museum.
While the interior of the car is being primed and painted, all the seats have been removed and need to be reupholstered. This is where we need your help! Can you donate the cost of a new seat? A double seat is $300.00; a single seat is $235.00. However, donations of any amount are gladly accepted and will contribute greatly to this project. Thank you for your support!
