[milwaukee-electric] Re: National City Lines.

[Scott Greig]

I think wood roofs persisted as long as they did because of flexing issues as the carbody is in motion.  As to durability, from what I can tell the combo was actually quite durable...PROVIDED that the car was in regular use.  The passing wind (from being in motion) did a very effective job of evaporating accumulated water and keeping both wood and canvas dry.
--- On Tue, 3/29/11, dick_myers at comcast.net <dick_myers at comcast.net> wrote:

From: dick_myers at comcast.net <dick_myers at comcast.net>
Subject: [milwaukee-electric] Re: National City Lines.
To: milwaukee-electric at lists.dementia.org
Date: Tuesday, March 29, 2011, 6:18 AM

I always wondered why the roofs were wooden and covered with canvas?  Seems not very durable materials. 
----- "Don L. Leistikow" <DLeistikow at webtv.net> wrote: 

Gary S and list:  Yes, Gary... the Company had working wood shops in the 
Car Stations and, of course, at the major Cold Spring Shops.                                   
There were several wooden cars that were in service... to the end.  The 
Line cars; A 1, A 2 and A 3, plus the D 21, D 22 and D 23 all had wooden 
bodies.           
Even the B series Sweepers... B 1 through B 49 and the C series Snow 
Plows C 1, C 2 and C 3 were wood bodied.                     
Then remember that the streetcars and Interurban cars had wood roofs, 
covered with canvas.                                             
Don L.