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<DIV><FONT size=4>Here is the story of Simmons Loop and its opening to
service. The loop WAS constructed prior to the end of service on Rt. C
early Sunday morning 28 June 1953. It was built such that the curve out of
the loop leading to the northbound main line was laid UNDER the southbound main
track. Just a few hours were needed later that Sunday for crews to cut the
southbound main and put the loop into use.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=4>As to the question of when Rt. 37 became rush hour only,
the reference I was seeking is in ERA <EM>Electric Railroads</EM> No. 20,
published in July 1952, which was authored by John Baxter. He
states: “A local service sharing the trackage out of Pittsburgh with the
interurbans began operation to Fair Haven (Frederick Street) in 1916, extended
later to Shannon, then to Library in 1924. Restrictions in riding
interurbans locally in this area became effective from time to time from 1916 to
the fall of 1951 when Route 37-Shannon service was eliminated during the off
peak hours.” After that rush hour interurbans carried a small sign in the
front window stating something like “first stop Frederick Street” (I don’t
recall the exact wording). Operators were supposed to use the roll signs
for the route WITHOUT the Shannon prefix, i.e. “Charleroi” instead of
“Shannon-Charleroi,” but human nature being what it is I have no idea how
often this nicety was observed. More reliance, I assume, was placed upon
the normals’ knowing the drill and staying off the interurbans in rush hours if
they were destined to points short of Frederick Street.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>The same reference confirms that the diversionary route for
the interurbans was indeed Rt. 38 on West Liberty Avenue and not through
Beechview on Rt. 42 as I had remembered. Chalk it up to lapse in old age
memory—I was wrong.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>The date of the last run on the W line was the night of 29
August 1953. It was run with an operator named Brill but with a car (1711,
now at Arden) built by St. Louis! The “farewell” trip operated by PERC was
on 23 August 1953. Is there anyone else but me on this list who
partook?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>So there you have it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Dwight</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
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<DIV style="font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=dwightlong@verizon.net
href="mailto:dwightlong@verizon.net">Dwight Long</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, 04 September, 2014 00:08</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=pittsburgh-railways@dementix.org
href="mailto:pittsburgh-railways@dementix.org">Western PA Trolley discussion</A>
</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> Re: [PRCo] Fwd: Re: Why was the Drake Loop
Built?</DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>
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style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'><BR>My
recollection is that Simmons was already built when Charleroi Crumped, and that
PRC forces were out there the next day cutting off the main line and cutting in
the loop. I believe this is recorded somewhere--probably in ERA
Headlights.<BR><BR>Dwight<BR> ----- Original Message ----- <BR>
From: D Brashear <BR> To: Western PA Trolley discussion <BR> Sent:
Wednesday, September 03, 2014 11:12 PM<BR> Subject: [PRCo] Fwd: Re: Why
was the Drake Loop Built?<BR><BR><BR> Note also this pic from the
archive:<BR>
http://lists.dementix.org/files/pittsburgh-railways/03-Track%20Drake%20Loop%20Construct%201953xxxx%2001.jpg<BR><BR>
---------- Forwarded message ----------<BR> From: Edward H. Lybarger
<trams2@comcast.net><BR> Date: Thu, Dec 14, 2006 at 7:44
PM<BR> Subject: [PRCo] Re: Why was the Drake Loop Built?<BR> To:
pittsburgh-railways@dementia.org<BR><BR><BR> Walther Wye opened April 20,
1953. Simmons Loop opened June 29, 1953 (so<BR> for nine days all
cars turned at (West) Library. Drake Loop was placed in<BR> service
September 25, 1953.<BR><BR> -----Original Message-----<BR> From:
pittsburgh-railways-bounce@lists.dementia.org<BR>
[mailto:pittsburgh-railways-bounce@lists.dementia.org]On Behalf Of
Fred<BR> Schneider<BR> Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2006 5:13
PM<BR> To: pittsburgh-railways@dementia.org<BR> Subject: [PRCo] Re:
Why was the Drake Loop Built?<BR><BR><BR> I'm not sure if you understand
the sequence here Dennis. PRC built<BR> a wye at Walther stop
in March of 1953 and in April they reduced<BR> service beyond that wye to
every hour. Service was provided as far<BR> as Walther (Drake
Wye) every 30 minutes. (At the same schedule<BR>
change, Charleroi cars went to half hourly to West Library Loop at<BR>
hourly beyond West Library.) Then the loop was constructed
under<BR> the viaduct at Drake stop. Ed might have the exact
date that the<BR> loop opened but I think it might have been shortly after
the August<BR> 29, 1953 abandonment of the Washington service ... perhaps
all cars<BR> turned back at Drake Wye for a brief period.<BR><BR>
I'm also not clear when Simmons loop opened. I know
Charleroi<BR> service ended in June 1953 and I have a color slide of a
Library car<BR> in the Simmons loop on August 29, 1953. Therefore, if
there was a<BR> period when all cars turned at West Library, it was not
for longer<BR> than two months.<BR><BR> Write me personally and tell
me about that first semester.....<BR><BR> On Dec 14, 2006, at 4:48 PM, DF
Cramer wrote:<BR><BR> > Does it also not make sense that the company
could build a loop and<BR> > keep<BR> > other service going at
the same time?When it was time to cutback<BR> > service,<BR> >
the loop was already in place and ready to be utilized.<BR> ><BR>
> Yes, I am home and the first semester of school is complete.<BR>
><BR> > Dennis F. Cramer<BR> >
Teacher-Trombonist-Historian-Conductor<BR> >
http://www.geocities.com/df_cramer<BR> ><BR> ><BR>
><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR> -- <BR>
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