<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META content="text/html; charset=windows-1252" http-equiv=Content-Type>
<META name=GENERATOR content="MSHTML 9.00.8112.16526">
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face="Century Gothic"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Century Gothic">Fred</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Century Gothic"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Century Gothic">Wolfson had other troubles beside those with
the union, and he eventually had his room and board paid for by the Feds as a
result of it. He had bought CTC in 1949 and immediately started dispersing
its cash reserves and other assets. It was a deal not that unlike that
perpetrated by the buyers of the Twin Cities Rapid Transit a few years
later.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Century Gothic"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Century Gothic">Dwight</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=fwschneider@comcast.net href="mailto:fwschneider@comcast.net">Fred
Schneider</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org
href="mailto:pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org">Western PA Trolley
discussion</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, December 22, 2013 5:26
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [PRCo] DC Streetcar</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>You had one other question which I missed. Why did
the cars go in the first place? The went because the unions went
on strike in the summer of 1955 and the owner of Capital Transit, I think his
name was Louis Wolfson, refused to negotiate. He simply didn't
bother to come back to Washington to deal with the problem.
<BR><BR>Therefore the DC Public Utilities Commission, an arm of the federal
government, simply canceled his franchise. Wolfson was forced to
sell out by the federal government. <BR><BR>And because streetcars
were antiquated (might have had something with the oil and highway lobby but
that will never come out in the open), the new franchise gave the new owner
seven years to get rid of those evil streetcars. The new
owner was also the owner of Trans Caribbean Airlines and the trolleys, for a
while at least, had "Subsidiary of Trans Caribbean Airlines" painted on their
flanks. The new owner tried to get permission to keep the rail
network but was simply told no way Jose. We want modern
buses. <BR><BR>I recall that the first conversion was route
80 and 82, called the Maryland lines. I was there that day in
Sept., 1958.<BR><BR>I was in the Army when 20 (Cabin John - Glen Echo) and 30
(Wisconsin Avenue) went in 1960.<BR><BR>The rest went in 1961 and 1962 and I
was in college then and had interest in a young lady that mattered more to me
than going out chasing trolleys. <BR><BR>Now we could also say,
multiple reasons and multiple years. Washington was like San
Francisco in that there were two companies operating competing networks of
lines very late. In San Francisco that lasted until
1944. In Washington it was 1933 that Capital Traction Co. and
Washington Railway and Electric Company merged, and that merger wiped out a
lot of miles of redundant track as well as some heavily used track that the
new Capital Transit Company simply chose not to keep. One example
might be Connecticut Avenue which was probably a very heavy route that
vanished in the 1930s. Why? I have no
idea. May have been politics as usual. May also be that the
company didn't want to spend money on new car.<BR><BR>One of the major
problems with DC PUC was their insistence on protecting job of the employees
that should have been made redundant. They very strongly blocked
conversions to one-man operation unless CTC chose to buy PCC cars which I
suspect they understand would happen when pigs fly. At one point they
told CTC they could not have any additional conventional cars converted to
one-man nor could they buy any used non-PCC one-man cars.
Politics as usual … even though they couldn't vote in Washington, we don't
want anyone complaining. <BR><BR><BR><BR>On Dec 22, 2013, at 3:32 PM, Herb
Brannon wrote:<BR><BR>> I have been led to believe that up until "home
rule" came about all laws in<BR>> D.C. were written and approved by the
U.S. Congress. There was no other<BR>> agency except the U.S. Government to
oversee the operations of the District<BR>> of Columbia. Some history books
do have a habit of being wrong, however.<BR>> <BR>> <BR>> On Sun, Dec
22, 2013 at 2:38 PM, Fred Schneider <<A
href="mailto:fwschneider@comcast.net>wrote">fwschneider@comcast.net>wrote</A>:<BR>>
<BR>>> Did not take any act of Congress, Herb. The previous
restriction was<BR>>> written into the franchise. Once
Capital Transit and its predecessors<BR>>> were gone, so was the need to
use underground conduits.<BR>>> <BR>>> London used a system in
which the plough simply hung in a track or frame<BR>>> under the car
which ran the entire width of the car. The conduit
then<BR>>> crossed the running rail to a storage area between the
inbound and outbound<BR>>> tracks. Outbound the car simply
shot the plow … the "driver" came into<BR>>> the change area fast enough
that the flow simply followed the conduit and<BR>>> shot out from under
the car. And a man on the street walked up to the car<BR>>>
and raised the pole. In bound the street man used an insulated
fork to<BR>>> guide the flow to the frame under the car … he walked
along beside the car<BR>>> as the car slowly pulled ahead and simply
guided the plough into the car.<BR>>> With proper timing, you probably
could have done it in 15 seconds.<BR>>> <BR>>> <BR>>>
<BR>>> On Dec 22, 2013, at 12:53 PM, Herb Brannon wrote:<BR>>>
<BR>>>> Interesting is the fact that the reasons (dreamed up by
Capital Transit<BR>>> in<BR>>>> 1947) for conversion of the
Benning Road service from streetcar to bus<BR>>> were<BR>>>>
first, the fact that during rush hour periods the service frequency
had<BR>>> to<BR>>>> be less than 60-seconds between cars. These
lines (Rosslyn-Kenilworth;<BR>>>> Washington Circle-Seat Pleasant;
Washington Circle-Kenilworth Junction;<BR>>>> 15th & New
York-Kenilworth Junction; and Potomac Park-Seat Pleasant)<BR>>>>
required the use of a "plow pit" at the interface between conduit
and<BR>>>> overhead operation. The changeover from conduit to
overhead and vice<BR>>>> versatook an even 60-seconds and could not
be<BR>>>> speeded up using Capital Transit methods (London (UK)
accomplished this<BR>>>> faster than 60-seconds) Therefore headways
could not be less than<BR>>>> 60-seconds. Buses were the answer.
Second, eastbound cars at 15th & New<BR>>>> York Avenue were
being delayed do to heavy traffic and the fact that<BR>>>> streetcar
movements at that intersection caused missed opportunities for<BR>>>>
cars to go on their proper routes. Streetcars were always backed up
two<BR>>> or<BR>>>> more blocks waiting for a green light to go
their respective ways at<BR>>> 15th &<BR>>>> New York.
Third, traffic congestion along Benning Road was increasing
and<BR>>>> those two lanes of streetcar track would make more room
for autos. Now,<BR>>>> nearly 70 years later, suddenly traffic is no
longer a concern for the<BR>>>> operation of streetcars on Benning
Road.<BR>>>> <BR>>>> Not to mention that the new Washington
streetcar system uses overhead<BR>>> wire,<BR>>>> hanging above
the streets, inside the District of Columbia. I supposed<BR>>>
that<BR>>>> this took "an act of Congress" to allow overhead wire in
D.C.<BR>>>> <BR>>>> I'm glad the streetcars are coming back,
however, why did they have to go<BR>>>> in the first
place?<BR>>>> <BR>>>> <BR>>>> On Sun, Dec 22, 2013
at 11:47 AM, John Swindler <<A
href="mailto:j_swindler@hotmail.com">j_swindler@hotmail.com</A><BR>>>>
wrote:<BR>>>> <BR>>>>> <BR>>>>>
<BR>>>>> Benning Road from front of tour bus during recent TRB
meeting. About<BR>>> half<BR>>>>> the span wires were
in place, but no contact wire. Work was underway at<BR>>>>>
turnback near Union Station. Grading completed no construction yet
on<BR>>>>> carbarn at east end of the line. A stated purpose
is to help<BR>>> revitalize a<BR>>>>> run-down
area.<BR>>>>> <BR>>>>> <BR>>>>>
<BR>>>>> <BR>>>>> <BR>>>>>
<BR>>>>>> Date: Sun, 22 Dec 2013 16:00:29
+0000<BR>>>>>> From: <A
href="mailto:bobrathke@comcast.net">bobrathke@comcast.net</A><BR>>>>>>
To: <A
href="mailto:pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org">pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org</A><BR>>>>>>
Subject: Re: [PRCo] DC Streetcar<BR>>>>>>
<BR>>>>>> An interesting animation teaching people the things
we learned from<BR>>>>> parents and friends in the "old" streetcar
era. Attached are a couple of<BR>>>>> photos I took in Georgetown
on 11/3/78. I had thought that the sign was<BR>>> a<BR>>>>>
remnant of the streetcar days in D.C., but it may have been posted<BR>>>
later to<BR>>>>> warn bicyclists of the rail that was still in the
street 16 years after<BR>>>>> trolleys ended in the
District.<BR>>>>>> <BR>>>>>> ----- Original
Message -----<BR>>>>>> <BR>>>>>> From: "DF
Cramer" <<A
href="mailto:alto_trombone@hotmail.com">alto_trombone@hotmail.com</A>><BR>>>>>>
To: <A
href="mailto:pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org">pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org</A><BR>>>>>>
Sent: Sunday, December 22, 2013 6:26:15 AM<BR>>>>>> Subject:
[PRCo] DC Streetcar<BR>>>>>> <BR>>>>>>
<BR>>>>> <BR>>> <A
href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/21163/watch-ddots-beautifully-animated-streetcar-video/">http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/21163/watch-ddots-beautifully-animated-streetcar-video/</A><BR>>>>>>
<BR>>>>>> We now have to teach people how to
react.<BR>>>>>> <BR>>>>>> Dennis F.
Cramer<BR>>>>>> <A
href="http://home.windstream.net/dfc1/">http://home.windstream.net/dfc1/</A><BR>>>>>>
<BR>>>>>> <BR>>>>>> -------------- next part
--------------<BR>>>>>> An HTML attachment was
scrubbed...<BR>>>>>> URL:<BR>>>>> <BR>>> <A
href="http://mailman.dementix.org/pipermail/pittsburgh-railways/attachments/20131222/a1d8d778/attachment.html">http://mailman.dementix.org/pipermail/pittsburgh-railways/attachments/20131222/a1d8d778/attachment.html</A><BR>>>>>>
_______________________________________________<BR>>>>>>
Pittsburgh-railways mailing list<BR>>>>>> <A
href="mailto:Pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org">Pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org</A><BR>>>>>>
<A
href="https://mailman.dementix.org/mailman/listinfo/pittsburgh-railways">https://mailman.dementix.org/mailman/listinfo/pittsburgh-railways</A><BR>>>>>>
<BR>>>>>> <BR>>>>>> <BR>>>>>>
<BR>>>>>> -------------- next part
--------------<BR>>>>>> An HTML attachment was
scrubbed...<BR>>>>>> URL:<BR>>>>> <BR>>> <A
href="http://mailman.dementix.org/pipermail/pittsburgh-railways/attachments/20131222/69c2655e/attachment.html">http://mailman.dementix.org/pipermail/pittsburgh-railways/attachments/20131222/69c2655e/attachment.html</A><BR>>>>>>
-------------- next part --------------<BR>>>>>> A non-text
attachment was scrubbed...<BR>>>>>> Name:
DCTgeorgetownStreetcarTracksA111378.jpg<BR>>>>>> Type:
image/jpeg<BR>>>>>> Size: 733107 bytes<BR>>>>>>
Desc: not available<BR>>>>>> Url :<BR>>>>>
<BR>>> <A
href="http://mailman.dementix.org/pipermail/pittsburgh-railways/attachments/20131222/69c2655e/attachment.jpg">http://mailman.dementix.org/pipermail/pittsburgh-railways/attachments/20131222/69c2655e/attachment.jpg</A><BR>>>>>>
-------------- next part --------------<BR>>>>>> A non-text
attachment was scrubbed...<BR>>>>>> Name:
DCTgeorgetownStreetCarTracksB111378.jpg<BR>>>>>> Type:
image/jpeg<BR>>>>>> Size: 719990 bytes<BR>>>>>>
Desc: not available<BR>>>>>> Url :<BR>>>>>
<BR>>> <A
href="http://mailman.dementix.org/pipermail/pittsburgh-railways/attachments/20131222/69c2655e/attachment-0001.jpg">http://mailman.dementix.org/pipermail/pittsburgh-railways/attachments/20131222/69c2655e/attachment-0001.jpg</A><BR>>>>>>
_______________________________________________<BR>>>>>>
Pittsburgh-railways mailing list<BR>>>>>> <A
href="mailto:Pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org">Pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org</A><BR>>>>>>
<A
href="https://mailman.dementix.org/mailman/listinfo/pittsburgh-railways">https://mailman.dementix.org/mailman/listinfo/pittsburgh-railways</A><BR>>>>>
<BR>>>>> <BR>>>>> <BR>>>>> --------------
next part --------------<BR>>>>> An HTML attachment was
scrubbed...<BR>>>>> URL:<BR>>>>> <BR>>> <A
href="http://mailman.dementix.org/pipermail/pittsburgh-railways/attachments/20131222/613c5572/attachment.html">http://mailman.dementix.org/pipermail/pittsburgh-railways/attachments/20131222/613c5572/attachment.html</A><BR>>>>>
-------------- next part --------------<BR>>>>> A non-text
attachment was scrubbed...<BR>>>>> Name:
DSC_0711.JPG<BR>>>>> Type: image/jpeg<BR>>>>> Size:
1465343 bytes<BR>>>>> Desc: not available<BR>>>>> Url
:<BR>>>>> <BR>>> <A
href="http://mailman.dementix.org/pipermail/pittsburgh-railways/attachments/20131222/613c5572/attachment.jpe">http://mailman.dementix.org/pipermail/pittsburgh-railways/attachments/20131222/613c5572/attachment.jpe</A><BR>>>>>
_______________________________________________<BR>>>>>
Pittsburgh-railways mailing list<BR>>>>> <A
href="mailto:Pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org">Pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org</A><BR>>>>>
<A
href="https://mailman.dementix.org/mailman/listinfo/pittsburgh-railways">https://mailman.dementix.org/mailman/listinfo/pittsburgh-railways</A><BR>>>>>
<BR>>>> <BR>>>> <BR>>>> <BR>>>>
--<BR>>>> Herb Brannon<BR>>>> <BR>>>>
<BR>>>> *In Pittsburgh.............................A City
And.........A State of<BR>>>> Mind *<BR>>>> Let's Go
Pens<BR>>>> Let's Go Steelers<BR>>>> <BR>>>>
<BR>>>> <BR>>>> -------------- next part
--------------<BR>>>> An HTML attachment was
scrubbed...<BR>>>> URL:<BR>>> <A
href="http://mailman.dementix.org/pipermail/pittsburgh-railways/attachments/20131222/5dc9f508/attachment.html">http://mailman.dementix.org/pipermail/pittsburgh-railways/attachments/20131222/5dc9f508/attachment.html</A><BR>>>>
_______________________________________________<BR>>>>
Pittsburgh-railways mailing list<BR>>>> <A
href="mailto:Pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org">Pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org</A><BR>>>>
<A
href="https://mailman.dementix.org/mailman/listinfo/pittsburgh-railways">https://mailman.dementix.org/mailman/listinfo/pittsburgh-railways</A><BR>>>
<BR>>> <BR>>> <BR>>> <BR>>> <BR>>>
_______________________________________________<BR>>>
Pittsburgh-railways mailing list<BR>>> <A
href="mailto:Pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org">Pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org</A><BR>>>
<A
href="https://mailman.dementix.org/mailman/listinfo/pittsburgh-railways">https://mailman.dementix.org/mailman/listinfo/pittsburgh-railways</A><BR>>>
<BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> -- <BR>> Herb Brannon<BR>> <BR>>
<BR>> *In Pittsburgh.............................A City And.........A State
of<BR>> Mind *<BR>> Let's Go Pens<BR>> Let's Go Steelers<BR>>
<BR>> <BR>> <BR>> -------------- next part --------------<BR>> An
HTML attachment was scrubbed...<BR>> URL: <A
href="http://mailman.dementix.org/pipermail/pittsburgh-railways/attachments/20131222/8b4b5ac4/attachment.html">http://mailman.dementix.org/pipermail/pittsburgh-railways/attachments/20131222/8b4b5ac4/attachment.html</A>
<BR>> _______________________________________________<BR>>
Pittsburgh-railways mailing list<BR>> <A
href="mailto:Pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org">Pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org</A><BR>>
<A
href="https://mailman.dementix.org/mailman/listinfo/pittsburgh-railways">https://mailman.dementix.org/mailman/listinfo/pittsburgh-railways</A><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>Pittsburgh-railways
mailing list<BR><A
href="mailto:Pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org">Pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org</A><BR><A
href="https://mailman.dementix.org/mailman/listinfo/pittsburgh-railways">https://mailman.dementix.org/mailman/listinfo/pittsburgh-railways</A></BLOCKQUOTE>
</BODY></HTML>