Originally posted by AggieDad If it was built by Budd, it passed through my dad's hands. Starting with their first railcars – the Zephyrs in 1934 – my dad was responsible first for the electrical assembly, then all final assembly of railcar manufacture through to the Metroliners. He retired in 1970. Thanks for this pic.
These were built by Budd (ib their Philly plant) sometime in the late 1960's. the design is similar to the Chicago versions I have seen. Later, due to demand (a few hundred were eventually built), Vickers Canada made several dozen as well. At present, PATCO is still using nearly 200 of these. They were "re-manufactured" in 2015-2019. Some of these cars are 50 years old now. The exteriors were acid washed and re-finished, the interiors gutted, and all new electronics, lighting and push motors re-done by ALSTOM in upstate New York.
Your father and the engineers at BUDD built some of the best equipment in the history of rail travel. It;'s a true testament that these look and run as well as they do. I will try and get a pic of the interior ID plate with the manufacturer location and other data for you....here's a front view