Passenger
Reading Company Multiple Unit (MU) Power Car, Class EPB, #9111
Background & History
Reading’s 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.
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.
9111 at Leesport yard, April 2003.
(Photo courtesy Mike Shirk)
A Blueliner MU train set arriving in Norristown 1064.
(Photo courtesy Mike Shirk)
In 1964, 38 cars of the original fleet of 100 olive green MU cars (including 9111) underwent 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. The rebuilt cars were classed RER.
9111 is in need of a complete restoration as we hope to repaint her in the blue/white scheme that gave these cars their nickname, “Blueliners”. 9111 is special in that it is the only one of the 38 original Blueliners that still has its original upholstery from the 1963-2964 rebuild. The Blueliners severed on most of the Readings electrified routes including the West Chester route until it was shut down. The last Blueliner was retired in 1990.