Liberty Bell Limited

Lehigh Valley Transit Co. 1030 (Philadelphia - Allentown) at Seashore Trolley Museum

In 1941, Lehigh Valley Transit Co. of Allentown, PA acquired Indiana No. 55 to replace a former car that had been destroyed by fire. The LVT renumbered No. 55 to No. 1030. Although No. 1030 was operated as a regular service car, the parlor seating was retained at first, making 1030 a popular car with the regular riders. In 1949, LVT installed regular coach seats. LVT operated local service in and between the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, and maintained an interurban route to Philadelphia called the Liberty Bell route. The 1000s were operated on this line, providing a fast, but rough trip to 69th St. on the west side of Philadelphia. The southern end of the line shared track with a suburban rapid transit operation known as the Philadelphia & Western, and like the North Shore cars, the 1000s were equipped with third rail shoes and door traps for that part of the trip. The LVT was probably the last example of a pure interurban, with passenger and freight traffic in interurban equipment, without railroad interchange.