Across New York Harbor from Manhattan, streetcars survived long after Gotham gave them up. In Newark, New Jersey, an old canal bed became a streetcar right-of-way, with part covered over to form what was called the ‘City Subway’.
In 1953, Newark’s old streetcars were replaced by 30 PCC streetcars purchased second-hand from Twin City Rapid Transit of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. These cars were just 5 to 7 years old and in excellent condition at the time they came to Newark, serving the transit agency then called Public Service Coordinated Transport. Separated from street traffic, stored under cover and well maintained, these cars provided reliable service in Newark for a half-century until New Jersey Transit, the state operating agency that had taken over the Newark City Subway, replaced the PCCs with light rail vehicles in 2001.
This car, No. 14 in Newark, came to Muni in 2002 for a “test drive” to see the condition of the Newark fleet. Muni went ahead and purchased 11 of the ex-Twin Cities, ex-Newark cars, including this one, in 2004 and renovated them to meet growing rider demands on Market Street and The Embarcadero. They were given the numbers 1070 through 1080 by Muni.
The exterior of No. 1070 is painted in the 1950s livery it first wore in Newark, including the unique red wheels, source of its ‘Ruby Slippers’ nickname. Toto, we’re not in New Jersey anymore!

Originally built for
Twin City Rapid Transit Co., Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN, 1946 (as car No. 333)
Sold to
Public Service Coordinated Transport, Newark, NJ, 1953 (as car No. 14)
Acquired by Muni from
New Jersey Transit, Newark, NJ, 2004
Builder
St. Louis Car Co.
Restored by
Brookville Equipment Company, PA, 2004-2011
Seats
50
Weight
37,600 lbs.
Length
46′ 5″
Width
9′ 0″
Height
10′ 3″
Motors
4 General Electric 1220
Trucks
B-2
Brakes
Electric