Almond Joys
In 1960, Budd manufactured the first stainless steel production subway cars for Philadelphia's Market-Frankford Line. 270 M-3 cars were jointly owned by the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Transportation Company (now Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority). These cars were nicknamed "Almond Joys" because the four hump-shaped ventilators on the roof evoked the Almond Joy candy bar.
There were 46 single units and 112 "married" pairs. The pairs were a "mixed marriage" because the odd-numbered car came with General Electric motors and equipment and was permanently coupled to the even-numbered car, which had Westinghouse motors and equipment.
These cars were replaced with more modern, air-conditioned M-4 units in 1997-99. Some cars were transferred to the Norristown High Speed Line in the early 1990s. The cars had to be re-trucked because the Norristown line is standard gauge (4' 8½") while the Market-Frankford line is broad gauge (5' 2½").
Read more about this topic: Budd Company
Famous quotes containing the words almond and/or joys:
“Is a park any better than a coal mine? What’s a mountain got that a slag pile hasn’t? What would you rather have in your garden—an almond tree or an oil well?”
—Jean Giraudoux (1882–1944)
“I that so long
Was Nothing from Eternity,
Did little think such Joys as Ear and Tongue
To celebrate or see:
Such Sounds to hear, such Hands to feel, such Feet,
Such Eyes and Objects, on the Ground to meet.”
—Thomas Traherne (1636–1674)