Philadelphia, PA Trackless Trolley Route 75-Frankford to Bridesburg

[@seancov3441]

This is dope.. it leaves me wanting more old footage from philly

[@tassiebaz]

Hi sean, Thanks for watching and for your comment. Everything I have is already on KZbin. Have a look Also, I believe that there are other KZbin presentations that might satisfy your craving. Stay well. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@RRansomSmith]

1:04 Rare footage of a deadhead coming from Frankford Depot on Non-Revenue wires under the Frankford El along Frankford Avenue to Orthodox Street where it would pick up the line. This is after the streets were reversed as Orthodox is eastbound in this footage whereas it was originally westbound as noted in the description.

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Rick, Thanks for watching and for your informative comment. For more scenes under the Frankford El for Routes 59 and 75, please have a look at separate presentations for those routes. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@ThisIsPatRyan]

I lived on Edmund as a kid in the 90s. The pharmacy on Orthodox and Torresdale in this video across from the church was an Old London Pizza I use to go to all the time. Crazy this was 1966. I would be hanging on these streets 30 years later.

[@tassiebaz]

Hi ER Nurse & Gamer, Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment. Edmund was the street used, between Orthodox and Margaret, by the Route 75 trolleybuses that cut back at Orthodox and Torresdale. Good memories. Stay well. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@italobambino43]

Id.love to see the drivers who work for Septa today, drive this obstacle course! They'd be smashing in to cars left and right!

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Mark, Thanks for watching and for your comment. And remember those vehicles had no power steering and no right-hand mirrors. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@loboboy5113]

Very intersting. I was born in 1967, so I didn't realize the 75 acutally served that route. thanks for showing the old Marmons and Brills. Great video!

[@Biscuit1973]

I wasn’t born back in the 1960’s when these trackless trolley buses were then in service but I remember seeing the last of these buses in South Philadelphia back in 1978 but never ridden on on .

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Bernard, Thanks for watching and for your comment. The older Brill trackless trolleys ran in South Philadelphia on Route 29 (Tasker & Morris Streets) and Route 79 (Snyder Avenue) until 1981 when they were replaced by the newer AM General coaches, which ran until about 2003 when both lines were converted to bus operation. My KZbin channel has videos of both South Philadelphia routes if you are interested. Cheers, tassiebaz.

[@taurus-astrobike104]

Simply AWESOME AMAZING FABULOUS classic VIDEOS😂👍👍💕THANKYOU SOOOOO VERY MUCH FOR SHARING BUDDY !!! WOOOW Y'ALL !!

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Taurus- Astrobike, Thanks again for your kind words. I hope you'll get the chance to see some of my other videos and enjoy them as much. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@sharonramone7186]

Oh my gosh, thank you again Tassiebaz! More of my childhood.I remember shopping at Grant's (cor. of Fkd.+Orthodox)+ taking the 75down to Torresdale.Sometimes my Mom +l would board at Penn(If we ate at "Horn+Hardart)Sometimes at Fkd.+Orth if we shopped too long on "The Ave."Transfer to 56. Saw this vid and I literally was on that bus again. With Mom! I was 10 in '66😀😀😀

[@tassiebaz]

Hi again Sharon, What I remember was a solid row of nice stores on Frankford Ave. between Margaret and Orthodox, and crowds of people waiting for the 75 at Fkd & Orthodox. Sometimes, especially around Christmas, the sidewalks were so crowded with shoppers, you could hardly get by. Lots of good memories. By the way, I've also posted some Rt. 56 presentations; have a look if you are interested. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@sharonramone7186]

@@tassiebaz Great stores. And at Christmas you are so right about the crowds! Sometimes you had to get past people by going into the street. Great memories. I will be looking for your other videos. Many thanx again!

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Sharon, If you do a search in KZbin for "tassiebaz", my presentations should show up. I hope you find something you may enjoy watching. Thanks and regards, tassiebaz.

[@tkso.philly3879]

OMG.This around the same era when my mom and dad hooked up on 52nd and Market.When Philly was the third most populated city in the nation,after Chicago,and NYC first.SO much history in our hometown.The music,the food,the ethnicities,the entertainers,the culture...Lets bring pride back to our City of Brotherly Love people...."Philadelphia Freedom..."- MAKE IT HAPPEN AGAIN-

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Tk So. Philly, Yes, this was the good old days, which many hope to recover. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment. Stay well and all the best for 2021. Cheers, tassiebaz.

[@italobambino43]

I believe the 75 was converted from Rail in 1950. the 75 and 59 were built by the PRT after, or around 1922, they were built as feeder lines to the new Bridge Street Elevated Terminal, bringing people from the more remote or sparsely populated sections of Northeast Philadelphia, such as Bustleton and Rhawnhurst, the Northeast boomed after the Elevated was built.

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Mark, Thanks for your comment. I did some research primarily using "Philadelphia Car Routes" by Harold Cox and offer the following excerpts: Route 59. Service began 5 November 1922 between Oxford & Frankford (Margaret-Orthodox Station on the El) and Bustleton & Lott. The City of Philadelphia owned the line and leased it to PRT/PTC for operation. The line was cutback to Castor & Cottman on 18 April 1948, and replaced by trackless trolleys on 24 June 1950. A new bus route, the 59b, was established when the route was cutback and operated from Frankford & Bridge to Bustleton. This has evolved to now what is SEPTA Route 58. Route 75 service on Wyoming Avenue is a bit longer and more involved. Streetcars never ran west of 5th Street. Service ran from Ridge & Midvale to Frankford & Arrott and started on 15 March 1902. The line was rerouted on 1 Jan 1905 to run between Pulaski & Rittenhouse and Richmond & Orthodox. Note that Orthodox St and Arrott/Margaret/Lefevre ran in the opposite direction to what they do today. On 15 November 1931, the line was changed to run between 17th & Pulaski and Richmond & Orthodox. Sunday service was provided by the through-routed 53 streetcars between Wayne & Carpenter and Richmond & Orthodox. The last day of streetcar operation on Route 75 was 17 April 1948. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@georgeburkhard6139]

lived 2 blocks from that route i was 8 years old when it stoped running WOW

[@tassiebaz]

HI George, Thanks for watching and for your comment. I hope the presentation brought back some good memories. Stay well. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@Poisson4147]

My grandparents lived *on* the 75 route. As a little kid I loved watching the "funny buses" go past their house. Very sad when they were replaced by diesels.

[@EricHorchuck]

PRICELESS!! Frankford used to actually be clean. It's a shame what it's turned into. This video is the closest thing we have to a time machine. It's just amazing to see.

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Eric, Thanks for watching and for your insightful comment. I remember, about the time of the video, Frankford Avenue being so busy with people and stores that you could hardly walk on the sidewalks. Those were the good old days. And, unfortunately, your comments not only apply to to Frankford, but other areas as well. Stay well and safe. Cheers, tassiebaz.

[@victordubowski1276]

Yes the 75, trolley did not go thru Logan, but when converted to trackless the 75 went to Wayne windrum and turned around, it skirted Logan when it was on Wyoming ave, that's were I use to catch it going to school.

[@RRansomSmith]

Did not know about that Leiper St cutback either. Guess that beats going all the way back to Arrott to return to Bridesburg. #TheMoreYouKnow

[@victordubowski1276]

Used to ride the 75 in the 70S, but in the Logan neighborhood took it to frankford once, but never new it served the bridesburg area.

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Victor, Thanks for watching and for your comment. The former Route 75 trolley served Bridesburg, so when they converted to trackless, it continued to serve the area. Two notes: They 75 trolley did not go through Logan, but south on 5th and west on Erie to 17th; and the streets used from Frankford to Bridesburg were reversed in direction when the trolley ran. When Interstate 95 construction started, a decision was made to discontinue trackless service and replace it with Route J bus. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@tkso.philly3879]

I remember taking the trolley from Broad and Snyder to Vare Jr.High Snyder.South Philly.I also remember when sometimes the cables would become untatched and the operator had to get out and use a pole to re-attach the cables...-

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Tk So. Philly, Yes, you rode the 79 on Snyder, which has been converted to bus. Cheers, tassiebaz.

[@GenerallyGeneralLee]

Maybe not this model, but I remember seeing a TT driver get out & climb up on top & jiggle those overhead arms to get them back against the wires. It worked too, only took him a minute, then he came back down & hopped inside & continued driving.

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Generally General Lee, Thanks for watching and for your comment. What you described sounds hazardous and probably something he shouldn't have done. There were ropes connected to the poles to facilitate getting them back on the wires should need be. Stay well. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@michellecatrambone9175]

I got on the 75 bus at Whitaker and Wyoming every day to go to school.

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Michelle, Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment. Stay well. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@City44errr]

The portion to Richmond Orthodox is Replaced by the Route J bus.

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Marcus, Thanks for that extra bit of added information. tassiebaz

[@italobambino43]

So, a reduction to the Rt. 75 took place when? It used to wind its way through those narrow streets in Frankford and Bridesburgh. It crossed over Torresdale Avenue to, intersecting with the Rt.56 Trolley! Great footage, I wasn't aware that the 75 had served a greater area at one time.

[@RRansomSmith]

@@italobambino43 1966 Hi Mark

[@ThomRealEstate-k1y]

I was 7 going on 8 when the 75 was cut back to the el. The line crossed the 56 trolley line and continued to the river. Unfortunately that part of the line was a casualty of I95 just like the el was between Market and Girard..Unfortunately I never got to ride this part of the line.

[@tassiebaz]

Hi user-oy2xc7yf4i, Thanks again for watching. At least the El was just relocated and not replaced with a bus (Route J). Before it was shortened, there was no wire on Penn Street from Orthodox to Arrott, so all trips from Wayne Junction had to go to Bridesburg to get back to Frankford. There was a cutback at Orthodox and Edmund, But I don't remember any scheduled trips through there. The service was very frequent, with some headways of only 3 minutes in the rush hour. Right before the route shortening, the wire was installed on Penn Street (current route) with a switch at Orthodox and Penn, so some trips used that. Cheers, tassiebaz. 😁

[@bhappy5510]

LOVE THIS FOOTAGE .

[@tassiebaz]

Hi B Happy, Thanks for watching and for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and appreciate you taking the time to let me know. All the best for the holidays and for 2023. Cheers, tassiebaz.😄

[@study81]

I love this :-)

[@tassiebaz]

Hi kecia, Thanks for watching and for your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the presentation. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@DOLRED]

The Trolley Bus!!! Fast; comfortable seats, and nicely warm inside, in the winter. Far superior except for one thing: They did not have air conditioning. I was fortunate to have ridden on many routes in Chicago until I was 17 and started driving. Electric bus routes made up maybe 85% of all arterial north side streets in Chicago and many as well on the south side. The city scrapped them in 1972 in favor of diesel buses--the so called "GM takeover." 2 years later the US Oil Crisis occurred. The CTA pasted stickers on many of the bus stop signs citing "We are short of fuel--cutting routes..." LOL. Here's a video of similar action; same bus: kzbin.info/www/bejne/maacaJuZpt-fkK8

[@RRansomSmith]

That cutback on Edmund Street.... And east to west. I'm guessing that was to avoid stringing separate wire on Torresdale Avenue independent of the streetcar wires for the 56. The more you know....

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Rick, I would guess they used Edmund Street to avoid a left turn from Torresdale back to Margaret, because of the traffic and the extra overhead it would have taken at that intersection. Probably similarly on Orthodox, only it would not have been a traffic problem because Orthodox is one way. Regards, tassiebaz..

[@RMoribayashi]

I live a block from C and Wyoming so the 75 was the start of almost every trip but I only got to ride that stretch of the route a few times. My father rode the 75 to and from work at Rohm & Haas every day for over a decade. I still remember the smell of the Bridesburg cheemical plants on his clothes when he got home from work. BTW After the route was shortened the 75 became the shortest bus or trolley route in Philadelphia.

[@RMoribayashi]

I forgot, thank you so much for the chance to look back at my childhood. Absolutely wonderful.

[@RRansomSmith]

Not quite. The 29 is shorter.

[@RMoribayashi]

@@RRansomSmith Sorry, read it in the Bulletin ages ago.

[@shannonrushing4642]

Wow...from 6:06-6:40 This is my first time looking at footage of how Bridesburg it looked in the early 60's just before they built Interstate 95.

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Shannon, Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment. I'm glad the presentation provided some neighborhood nostalgia. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@zazaranger5]

So they mixed the Marmons and the Brills on the 75?

[@tassiebaz]

Hi zazaranger5, Thanks for watching and for your question. Yes, all three types of coaches were out there on weekdays, 200 Brills, 300 Marmons, and 400 Marmons. On the weekends, there would normally only be 300 Marmons on the line. They used less Brills in the summer, as some were put in "storage" on 9 rail in Frankford Depot. Cheers, tassiebaz.😄

[@phillyhistoryfacts5757]

2:07 the Breyers shop!!

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Philly History Facts, Thanks for watching and for pointing out that interesting part of Philadelphia history. Stay well. Cheers, tassiebaz.

[@caroldriehorst1165]

I took the 75 back in the day.

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Carol, Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment. The whole route looks a bit different nowadays. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@jam06477]

4:16 is exactly how I remember Philly. Does anyone know which prison he ended up in?

[@MrHAPPYHAWAIIAN]

Nice, another Philadelphian throwing rocks at a camera.😂🤣👊💀

[@joeearly7546]

I started in 68 the J Bus took over.

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Joe, Thanks for watching and for your comment. The last day of trackless trolley operation to Bridesburg was April 2, 1966. Cheers, tassiebaz.

[@1AEROSOL.1PUFF]

I always called it an electric bus.

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Tracci, Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment. Usually, these vehicles are called trackless trolleys in Philadelphia and some other places. However, the are also known as trolley buses, trolley, coaches, and various other names. Electric bus certainly describes what it is. Stay well. Regards, tassiebaz.

[@trainrover]

It always amazes me - now all this time! - how speeding through junctions has been the only Americanism that Canadia/ens, incredibly customarily lazy, don't adopt.

[@diegoacosta2641]

You guys call it a trackless trolley... ...I call it a bus on life support

[@tassiebaz]

Hi Diego, Thanks for watching and for your comment. Cheers, tassiebaz.

[@BobbyJackShow]

I just featured this on facebook.com/groups/historicalphilly

[@tassiebaz]

Hi JackandGeorge, Thanks for watching and for the advice. I hope that more people will view and enjoy this presentation. Stay well and all the best for 2021. Cheers, tassiebaz.

[@BobbyJackShow]

@@tassiebaz You should see a nice little uptick in views in the next couple days.

[@tassiebaz]

@@BobbyJackShow Thanks again. Have you looked at some of my other Philadelphia presentations? You may like the Delaware Ave El video, or Route 47 trolley.

[@BobbyJackShow]

@@tassiebaz I haven't had a chance yet. If you'd like to, feel free to post them to Philadelphia History & Memories or the Old Images of Philadelphia Riverward Neighborhoods groups.

[@tassiebaz]

@@BobbyJackShow Thanks, I'll have a look when I get the chance.