It's easy to ride SEPTA trains while forgetting the luxury beneath one's feet. SEPTA may not be the L, or even a crippled T, but its relevance in life is undoubtedly greater than anything one can find in that silly museum of art. So throw aside inhibition and sway your way to the SEPTA Museum. Stepping into the museum is like being hit with the motto, "The Future is Now." Visitors can access both spacious floors via the inclined elevator, affectionately known by the moniker, "Magic Stairway." The word "electrification" is used repeatedly to emphasize the understated importance of this modern achievement. Because what would those trains and trolleys be using otherwise -- horses?
Well, yes. The 19th century saw many horse-drawn streetcars out and about in Philadelphia. Car operators worked 18-hour days, 7 days a week, making them the I-bankers of their day. Passengers were treated to straw on the floor, which would have been ideal for the horses if they were not too busy being worked to death. As the exhibit "Transit Works: A Portrait in Motion" notes, "Conditions were grim."
With that adage in mind, continue to the lower floor where the quaint PCC train car resides. A quick look inside will reveal advertisements for timeless brands such as Heinz Spaghetti. But don't forget to finish off your tour at the museum boutique. You may feel wiser after all that razzmatazz, but it's Thomas the Tank Engine and the Loco Squad Transformer Rip-off who will really teach you to respect the rails.
