Seattle, 21:30 Wed 1 Dec 1999

[John Swindler]

Also not particularly on topic, but perhaps of interest:

When was the last time you saw new streetcar tracks being laid in concrete 
for PCC operation?

For me, perhaps it was Fifth Ave. in vicinity of Craig to Highland in the 
early 1960s, or Second Ave. heading outbound towards Bates St.

That is, until last Sunday.  I saw it, took photos of it, but still don't 
believe it.  But in Kenosha, Wis., track is all in place, except for two 
switches at carbarn, for proposed PCC operated line from METRA station to 
lakefront.  One way length is only about a mile through former industrial 
site.  One street crossing remains to be paved on eastbound track which is 
laid in median - concrete ties with clips, gravel to base of rail, and dirt 
to railhead.  There is a passing track near the waterfront.  Westbound track 
is two blocks north along side of road except for 4-5 blocks vicinity of 
METRA station where rail is laid in curb lane in concrete.

Brick shell of carbarn/transit center is complete with two service tracks 
with pits.  Still requires doors, windows, and interior finishings.

No wire has been strung, and cars are not on site.  According to nycsubway 
website, cars will be five ex-Toronto PCCs that underwent second rebuilding 
in early 1990s.  Reported capital costs for entire scheme is only $4 
million.

For travelers, Kenosha is near East Troy and Illinois Railway museums.  
Also, METRA commuter rail has $ 5 weekend pass available, although Kenosha 
service is infrequent, but looks like afternoon visit is possible.  Schedule 
information is available at METRA website, and you may also enjoy some of 
the rider comments in their monthly newsletter, "On The Bilevel".

Again, not particularly on topic, but perhaps of interest.

John S.



>From: "Donald Galt" <galtfd at att.net>
>Reply-To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
>To: trolley at railspot.com
>CC: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
>Subject: Seattle, 21:30 Wed 1 Dec 1999
>Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 21:53:15 -0800
>
>Not particularly on topic, but perhaps of interest:
>
>The waterfront streetcar was closed this afternoon for a planned protest
>march.
>
>Trolleybuses ran on Third Avenue today until about 4:00 PM or so, when the
>street was cut off by protesters.
>
>The overhead most commonly seen on TV is on Pine Street, out of service
>this week.
>
>The curfew is on again, and ALL downtown service was cut off at 7:00,
>including the tunnel. According to the alert, through north-south routes
>tonight pass through the city without stopping; trolley routes 2, 10, 12, 
>43
>turn back at 9th Avenue & Madison on the east, 3/4 at Aloha Street (Seattle
>Center East) and 1, 2, 13 at Thomas Street (S.C. West); 3/4, 14, 36 run
>from 5th & Jackson; 7 runs straight through as if it were 9. All this 
>assumes
>that Broadway is passable.
>
>I've heard something secondhand about a bonfire up on Capitol Hill, but
>nothing is on the TV news for another hour (prime time, y'know!)
>
>The biggest show at the 7 PM curfew hour was a group that had engaged in
>a sit-in at 3d and Pine (therefore stopping the trolleys - at least I THINK 
>it
>was this group, though the news was a little confused) which chanted
>mantra, then announced that it would disperse voluntarily. For a while it
>looked a little dicey as the cops appeared to be threatening as the hour
>approached, but in the end the group marched en masse north on 4th
>Avenue to Denny and out of the curfew area. Whatever you might have
>thought of them, it was a very Seattle conclusion.
>
>There were some other late-afternoon confrontations, mostly with well-fed
>young folk who didn't appear to have any real agenda save a gripe with the
>police. Pending further evidence to the contrary, I'd venture the hope that 
>the
>real troublemakers stayed away tonight.
>
>Don

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