PCC speed

[Kenneth and Tracie Josephson]

HRBran99 at aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 12/01/1999 6:15:11 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> pghpcc at pacbell.net writes:
> 
> << N-O  W-A-Y  that car was even doing 45 mph when it
>  crested the hill. >>
> 
> Having operated PATransit (the same former Pittsburgh Rlys) PCCs I am
> inclined to agree with Jim Holland.
> 
> There were a few places, mostly along the outer end of the 35-Library line,
> where the track had been straightened and reballasted to the point that the
> cars actually ran smooth. On more than one occasion I would 'open up' the car
> to get top speed. 

I must point out that the Drake line was in very good to OUTSTANDING
condition, trackage-wise when I visited for the last PCC runs.  The
speedometer in the 4000s registered 40 mph in several locations on
various trips. 

Look at the track and wire in this photo I took:

http://davesrailpix.railfan.net/pitts/jpg/kjpgh57.jpg

The trackage at Fort Couch Road was even better. I haven't sent Dave
those pictures yet. 

The trackage on the Library line was good, too:

http://davesrailpix.railfan.net/pitts/jpg/kjpgh48.jpg

But some the power company pole's cross arms along this stretch of the
Library line were literally tied to the poles because the wood was too
rotted to hold the cross arm bolts. (Yes, I have some pictures of that,
too.)

BTW, Herb, I'll go with the "glossy" calendars. Please e-mail me
privately concerning this.

Ken J.