PCC speed

[HRBran99 at aol.com]

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. When the car would get around 40MPH or slightly higher, the 
governing mechanism would cut the power and the car would go no faster.

I am very familiar with the section talked about on Ardmore Blvd. This is 
upgrade also. I could envision a PCC running 90MPH and trying to get stopped 
as it crested the hill at the Penn-Lincoln Parkway bridge. They probably 
couldn't get it stopped until it got to Franklin and Swissvale.

Also, the track on Ardmore Blvd. had to be some of the worst in the system. 
At 20MPH the cars would bounce and sway to the point you thought they were 
coming off the rail.

I would also agree with Jim on another point, concerning the young lady.......
<<From the spell she held over you,
she has probably discovered the fountain of youth and will eternally be
a knock-out! >>

Herb Brannon
Orlando FL  

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