Passenger
Reading Company Multiple Unit (MU) Power Car, Class EPB, #863
Background & History
Readings original fleet of 100 electric-powered cars were purchased in 1929 and 1930 for service on the busy commuter lines radiating out from Philadelphia. These cars were truly state of the art for their time, offered numerous advantages for commuters. Their flexibility to be operated either as a single car or as multiple-unit trains allowed the Reading to easily cope with varying numbers of commuters based on time of day, day of week, and season of the year. The cars also offered increased comfort for passengers, through electric heating, faster acceleration (meaning faster train times), and reduced noise and smoke.
863 at Leesport yard, April 2003.
(Photo courtesy Mike Shirk)
An olive green MU train set prior to the new paint scheme.
(Photo courtesy Benjamin I. Bernhart)
The fleet averaged 36,000 revenue miles each week as basic 30-minute headway was provided on all branches. The motor cars were of steel and aluminum construction, while 27 trailers converted by the Reading shop forces from locomotive hauled coaches were heavier all-steel. The fleet was maintained at Wayne Junction electric car shop, which was especially built for this purpose (Reading shops did all of the “heavy repairs”. All cars were so arranged with their pantographs facing Reading Terminal. The bus connecting system that supplied power between cars allowed only two raised pantographs on trains up to seven cars and four pans up to 12 cars.
In 1964, 38 cars of the original fleet of 100 olive green MU cars (including # 863) under went a rebuilding. Along with mechanical improvements, they came out of the rebuilding with a new paint scheme of blue and white, modernized interiors featuring new seat cushions, fluorescent lighting, lowered ceilings, and better ventilation.
#863 built in 1932 is the only one of its type with the original swivel “Love Seats”. RCT&HS plans call for the 863 to be restored to its original 1932 appearance in the olive green paint scheme.