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<body class='hmmessage'><div dir='ltr'> <BR> <BR>Thank you, Derrick. Very interesting, and goes well beyond whatever email string I vaguely recall from a decade ago.<BR> <BR>Also in Washington, Silver Line should be opening soon. There is a tenuous connection with PAT - same consultant for system safety oversight.<BR> <BR><a href="http://www.dullesmetro.com/documents/_Dec2013/13DEC2_AirportAuthorityNotice.pdf">http://www.dullesmetro.com/documents/_Dec2013/13DEC2_AirportAuthorityNotice.pdf</a><BR> <BR> <BR> <BR><br> <BR><div>> Date: Tue, 24 Dec 2013 09:09:15 -0500<br>> From: shadow@dementix.org<br>> To: pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org<br>> Subject: Re: [PRCo] DC Streetcar<br>> <br>> In reading about the Potomac Yard linear park that just opened I ran into<br>> info about the DC streetcar and overhead wires.<br>> <br>> Here, have the legal opinions from the current line about the old laws.<br>> <br>> http://hbx.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddot/publication/attachments/dcs_systemplan_oct2010_appendix_p.pdf<br>> <br>> <br>> <br>> On Mon, Dec 23, 2013 at 11:42 AM, PC <pcc_sr@yahoo.com> wrote:<br>> <br>> > You always post such nice summaries Mr.Brannon. From the post by<br>> > Mr.Brashear it seems 'an act of congress' is the original reason for ban on<br>> > overhead in the city isn't it. In those days buses had significantly less<br>> > capacity than trolleys let alone lower acceleration and power and could<br>> > still queue at bus stops. While buses are able to pull around one another<br>> > in theory it is a little more difficult in practice isn't it. Safety is an<br>> > issue with people running to catch a bus along with other vehicle traffic.<br>> > If the facts were known I seriously doubt buses did better and most likely<br>> > were slower than the cars weren't they.<br>> ><br>> > Did you see the system Mr.Brannon? I was able to ride and was impressed<br>> > with the speeds, especially on the street under wire. I was there only a<br>> > few times but I am glad I had the opportunity.<br>> ><br>> ><br>> > Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.<br>> ><br>> ><br>> > PC<br>> ><br>> ><br>> ><br>> > --------------------------------------------<br>> > On Sun, 12/22/13, Herb Brannon <hrbran@cavtel.net> wrote:<br>> ><br>> > Subject: Re: [PRCo] DC Streetcar<br>> > To: "Western PA Trolley discussion" <<br>> > pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org><br>> > Date: Sunday, December 22, 2013, 9:53 AM<br>> ><br>> > Interesting is the fact that the reasons (dreamed up by Capital Transit<br>> > in 1947) for conversion of the Benning Road service from streetcar to bus<br>> > were first, the fact that during rush hour periods the service frequency<br>> > had to be less than 60-seconds between cars. These lines<br>> > (Rosslyn-Kenilworth; Washington Circle-Seat Pleasant; Washington<br>> > Circle-Kenilworth Junction; 15th & New York-Kenilworth Junction; and<br>> > Potomac Park-Seat Pleasant) required the use of a "plow pit" at the<br>> > interface between conduit and overhead operation. The changeover from<br>> > conduit to overhead and vice versa took 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 due to heavy traffic and the fact that<br>> > streetcar movements at that intersection caused missed<br>> > opportunities for cars to go on their proper routes. Streetcars were<br>> > always backed up two or more blocks waiting for a green light to go their<br>> > respective ways at 15th & New York. Third, traffic congestion along Benning<br>> > Road was increasing and those two lanes of streetcar track would make more<br>> > room for autos. Now, nearly 70 years later, suddenly traffic is no longer a<br>> > concern for the operation of streetcars on Benning Road.<br>> ><br>> > Not to mention that the new Washington streetcar system uses overhead<br>> > wire, hanging above the streets, inside the District of Columbia. I<br>> > supposed that 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>> ><br>> > _______________________________________________<br>> > Pittsburgh-railways mailing list<br>> > Pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org<br>> > https://mailman.dementix.org/mailman/listinfo/pittsburgh-railways<br>> ><br>> <br>> <br>> <br>> -------------- next part --------------<br>> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...<br>> URL: http://mailman.dementix.org/pipermail/pittsburgh-railways/attachments/20131224/6a20f7d5/attachment.html <br>> _______________________________________________<br>> Pittsburgh-railways mailing list<br>> Pittsburgh-railways@mailman.dementix.org<br>> https://mailman.dementix.org/mailman/listinfo/pittsburgh-railways<br></div> </div>
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