1644 has the body styling used before WW II. Even though it was built in 1945, it is an example of the pre-war design, lacking the upper ‘standee’ windows seen on the later cars. It also employs the air-operated brake system common on prewar cars. Cars built after the war used electric brakes and had a different body style. Most streetcar lines in Pennsylvania were broad gauge. This was done to prevent standard gauge railroads from running trains down city streets.
This car originally had broad gauge trucks. The Museum changed them out for standard gauge trucks. In 1938 a very similar re-trucked Pittsburgh car, #1095, ran on the Cleveland Railway to show off its modern features. Cleveland didn’t get PCC’s until 1946. Pittsburgh had them in 1936.
| Builder | Builder: St. Louis Car Company |
| Type | Electric Street Car |
| Description | Single End Double Truck Arch Roof Air PCC |
| Year Built | 1945 |
| Retired | |
| Acquired | 1986 |
| Seats | 54 |
| Length | 46′ |
| Width | 8′ 4″ |
| Height | 10′ |
| Weight | 36,265 |
| Trucks | Clark B-2A |
| Motors | (4) WH 1432, 55hp |
| Control | WH |
| Brakes | WAB |
| Compressor | WH |