This is part 2 of 3 in our series of blog posts showcasing masterful black-and-white photographs by the late David H. Cope. These were given to CERA by the East Penn Traction Club in 1988, on the occasion of our 50th anniversary. The photos were meant to be exhibited at our 50th anniversary banquet and program. You can enjoy them here as CERA celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company car 44 westbound at Kirk’s curve, around 1941. (David H. Cope photo)

Here is how the East Penn Traction Club introduced their exhibit:

The electric railway scene in the Philadelphia area has been characterized by a rich variety of systems. Although the vast city system has many admirers, visitors to our region during CERA’s lifetime were often drawn here by the Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company’s Red Arrow Lines (and its predecessor, the Philadelphia and West Chester Traction Company, and successor, SEPTA-Suburban) – especially the 19 mile side-of-the-road line to West Chester. Others came to see, ride and photograph the third rail system of the Philadelphia and Western Railway and its connecting line, the Lehigh Valley Transit, whose Liberty Bell Limited line connected Philadelphia and Allentown. Still others came to see the PRSL West Jersey electrics and the Brilliners and Shore Fast cars of the Atlantic City and Shore. The exhibit, presented to our friends at CERA, depicts the great era of traction in the Delaware Valley during the CERA era.

Part 3, to follow, will include the final 10 images (for a total of 30). We hope that you will enjoy them.

-David Sadowski

Atlantic City and Shore station at Linwood, New Jersey in 1946. (David H. Cope photo)

Lehigh Valley Transit St. Louis car crossing the Aineyville viaduct approaching Allentown in 1939. (David H. Cope photo)

Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company Jewett car 41 on Gay Street at Matlack in West Chester, March 3, 1941. (David H. Cope photo)

Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company Jewett car 40 at Highland Park on West Chester Pike, about one mile west of 69th Street Terminal in 1941. (David H. Cope photo)

Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company Jewett car 44 on Gay Street in West Chester, approaching the Pennsylvania Railroad overpass in 1941. (David H. Cope photo)

Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company St. Louis car 24 eastbound at Street Road on the West Chester line on April 10, 1954. (David H. Cope photo)

Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company St. Louis car 13 westbound at Newtown Square (West Chester line) on April 10, 1954. (David H. Cope photo)

Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company St. Louis car 22 eastbound at Edgemont on the West Chester line on April 10, 1954 – less than two months before the end of service. (David H. Cope photo)

Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company car 80 eastbound at Edgemont on June 3, 1954, the last day of West Chester operation. (David H. Cope photo)