DC Transit 1540

Facts and Figures

Current Number	1540
Railway Represented	DC Transit
Builder	St. Louis Car Company
Built In	1945
Builder's order id	1647
Currently in (State)	Maryland
--(Locality)	Wheaton
Totally out of svc date	1962
(Initial retirement date)
Car Type	streetcar
-subtype	PCC, postwar
-designation
Status	stored inoperable
More info	http://dctrolley.org/DCTS1540.htm
Gauge	4'8.5"
Construction	steel
Roof type	AR
Ended	SE
Length	44'0"
Width	8'4"
Height	11'0"
Weight	35640
#Seats	50
#Wheels/Conf.	8
Total HP	220
Trucks	Clark B2
Brakes	Air-Electric
Compressor	WABCO PC2
Control	GE 17KM12N1
Motors	GE 1220A1 (4)
Voltage (if not 600DC)

Car 1540 in storage at NCTM in 2023
Deviant Art
photo: https://www.deviantart.com/rlkitterman/art/D-C-Transit-PCC-1540-IMG-4971-982579724

Car 1540 in storage at NCTM in 2018
Preserved Traction Blog
photo: https://pnaerc.blogspot.com/2017/01/photo-gallery.html

Car History by Peter Kohler & Wesley Paulson

DC Transit 1540 Constructed in 1945, DC Transit 1540 was part of an order of standee-window cars. But unlike the all-electric standee window cars built for St. Louis, Washington’s cars had air operated appliances and retained elements of the original body styling. In late 1944, the War Production Board relaxed some of its restrictions which permitted the return of stainless steel window sash and stanchions, and chrome plating on the upper portion of the seat frames. The cars in this order also featured a “next car light” fitted next to the destination sign on the doorside. To indicate that the car was full, this light would flash “Take next car, please”. DCTS 1540 was based at the Eastern Division (Lincoln Park) and operated frequently on the Cabin John line to Glen Echo Park. After retirement, Leonard’s Department store purchased DCTS 1540 for use on its new subway in Ft. Worth, TX. Stripped for parts, the car did not operate at Leonard’s, and was later acquired by a private owner in Arkansas. NCTM received DCTS 1540 in 1987. It is in storage awaiting restoration.

Ownership History

Owner	Car Num	From	To	Preservation?	Loan?
Capital Transit (District of Columbia, Washington)	1540	1945	1956	NO	NO
DC Transit (District of Columbia, Washington)	1540	1956	1962	NO	NO
Tandy Subway (Texas, Fort Worth)	1540	1962	1972	YES	NO
Private owner	1540	1972	1987	YES	NO
National Capital Trolley Museum (Maryland, Wheaton)	1540	1987	present	YES	NO