Fare Register - Philadelphia and West Chester Traction Square "Tickets" register w/copper case - Marked PWCT! Start Price USD 10.00 Current Price USD 281.87 Time Left - Bid Count 12 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, November 16, 2008 End Time Sunday, November 23, 2008 Location Riverton, NJ See more about 'Fare Register - Philadelphia and West Chester Traction ' Description Continuing to post Philadelphia-area transit and other RR items, see "Seller's Other Items".   This is a one-of-a-kind relic, a copper case fare register from the Philadelphia and West Chester Traction Company.  It is still fully operable and collectible, despite an unfortunate rust stain on the front.  Fare registers like these came in pairs - one for "Tickets" like this and another one for "Cash". Sorry, we don't have Cash one that went with it.  This was used by the conductor to ring up each ticket handed to him.  The registers were mounted so they'd be visible from anywhere in the car, to keep the conductor from enhancing his wages off the books!   This one is marked in factory-applied gold paint "PWCT".  The lever on the back still makes it count up fares (and the bell inside makes a satisfying "ding!" as the mechanism clunks over).  The knob on the side resets the big counter at the end of a trip. Turn it and the "IN" changes to "OUT", indicating which leg of the trip is being registered.  The conductor would write down the total at the end of each leg before resetting to zero.  The little counter at the bottom never resets, and the revenue staff would compare it with the previous day's total to make sure all was jake.   The case of this register is unusual in that it is apparently copper all round except the back.  (At least it's not magnetic, looks like tarnished copper where the paint is scraped off). Don't know if it was ever polished when new or was always painted. The paint is a dark green/blue and clearly dates from its time of service. It'd be stunning if polished!   Not many registers survived, having been supplanted by fare boxes in mid-century, which relieved the employee from handling the cash or tickets at all.   Like most registers, this one has lost its cast iron mounting bracket which held it to the bulkhead of the streetcar.  That was the part that would have had a lever to which a rope was attached to ring up the fare, and would have had a strong spring to return this register's little lever after the rope was pulled.  Someone with some mechanical smarts could fabricate same and you'd be in business.   "Fares, please!"   Condition: As mentioned, it works just fine. The front glass is completely intact, as is the gold lettering, but there is an unfortunate rust stain on the black face. Thank goodness it only affects the black paint (doesn't encroach on the gold) as you can see from the photos, so some careful restoration could resolve it.  The heavy iron back has significant rust flaking.  The rest of the case, being copper, has no corrosion visible, but lots of scratches to the paint.  Lots of authentic carbarn dirt!   Dimensions and weight:  8-1/2" tall, x 6-1/4" x 6-1/4", weighs about 14 pounds.   The Philadelphia and West Chester Traction Company was formed in the 1890's to build a trolley line along West Chester Pike from 63rd and Market Streets in Philadelphia to West Chester.  In the early 1900's it formed the Philadelphia and Garrettford Street Railway Company to build what are today the SEPTA Media and Sharon Hill trolley lines.   In the 1930's the P&WCT was reorganized as the Red Arrow Lines, the popular name of the Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company, which later also included the Philadelphia and Western Railway Company, among others.  It operated trolley and interurban lines from the 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby to various suburbs including Ardmore, Drexel Hill, Media, Sharon Hill, Norristown and Strafford.  Three of the lines continue in operation today as a part of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).   Thanks for looking – and if you are unsure about anything, just ask! Terms Our 100% feedback rating is important to us.  Please ask any questions before bidding, because we want you to know what you are getting and to be pleased with it.  Likewise, if you are the successful bidder, and are unhappy in any way, let us know.  Good communication is important to us all.   All items are in used, as-is condition and are described as accurately as we can to the best of our knowledge of the item. If you feel that any item was not described correctly, you may return it at your expense (including insurance) for a refund of your bid amount, excluding all shipping and insurance. No other returns or refunds.   Feedback: we will be glad to leave positive feedback for you as soon as you have done the same for us.   Shipping Will ship US Postal Service only to the domestic United States, $19.00 postage and handling. We pack carefully, but insurance is strongly recommended at $1.70, as we cannot not be responsible for any loss or damage in shipping.   Can also be picked up.  We are in the New Jersey suburbs of Northeast Philadelphia, 10 minutes from I-95, 20 minutes from NJ Turnpike.  Item must be picked up within 10 days of the end of the auction.  (Other arrangements can be made depending on your eBay feedback rating and payment method.)   Payment Terms Arrangements for payment must be made within 3 days of the end of auction and payment must be received within 7 days thereafter.   PayPal is now required by eBay (sorry, we're griped about it, too) but since this is a pickup item, cash on pickup will also be accepted from bidders whose feedback ratings are acceptable (check with us before bidding).   Place a Bid!