Capital Traction 27

Built in:1918 by G.C. Kuhlman Car Company (ord#662)
Out-of-service/Retired:1962
Type of car:streetcar (standard)
Current Owner:National Capital Trolley Museum(Wheaton, Maryland)

Car History by Wesley Paulson

Capital Traction 27 Increased passenger traffic in World War I increased demands on the Capital Traction Company (CTCo.) and resulted in an 1918 order for twenty cars, numbers 26-45, from Kuhlman. When delivered this group of cars carried equipment for train operation. Operating solely on the conduit lines of CTCo, these cars were not equipped with trolley poles, but did carry hooks and trolley boards for future use. The conduit system provided a challenge to train operation which took until 1924 to solve. By that time only twelve cars in the group, numbers 26-37, were used for train service. After only a few more years, CTCo abandoned train operation in 1931 and train equipment was removed from the few cars which still carried it (numbers 39-45).

CTCo 27 was completely rebuilt in 1931. Features included new brakes, floors and leather seating. The motors were shunted to improve speed in traffic. A new green and gray color scheme was used with green in the panel below the windows and gray on the balance of the car. By this time the car received trolley poles for use on the Connecticut Avenue line.

Capital Transit was formed in 1933 from the merger of Washington Railway and Electric Company and Capital Traction Company. CTCo 27 was renumbered as Capital Transit 766 and received the standard two-main paint scheme of yellow across the window section and apple green above and below. Increased traffic in World War II caused Capital Transit to convert 766 in 1944 to one-man operation by closing off the doors on one side of the car and installing a treadle door at the rear platform. The one-main paint scheme previously reserved for the PCCs and streamliners was applied.

At the request of local traction fans, and with the assistance of Al Savage, in 1951 Capital Transit preserved 766 for use on charter trips and public relations programs. Wearing lights and garland, the car paraded through downtown at the Christmas season. On some of these occasions, the company installed a piano and public address speakers on the car. D.C. Transit System continued use of the car on all ceremonial last runs as the trolley system was abandoned, ending with a final farewell trip on January 28, 1962.

Mr. O. Roy Chalk donated CTCo. 766 to NCTM in 1970.

Ownership History:Capital Traction #27 1918-1933 / Capital Transit #766 1933-1956 / DC Transit #766 1956-1962 / National Capital Trolley Museum(Wheaton, Maryland) 1970-present

Facts and Figures

Status:undergoing restoration		Gauge:4'8.5"
Construction:steel	Roof type:DR	Ended:DE
Length:43'11"	Width:8'8"	Weight:44800#
#Seats:48	#Wheels/Conf.:8 (B-B)	Total HP:160
Trucks:Brill 77E1	Brakes:SME (M35)	Compressor:D1-F
Motors:GE 247D (4)	Voltage (if not 600DC):

Notes

Located in Guilford, Connecticut
PHOTO