Pittsburgh Rys 101

[Charles Brown]

Many thanks for Jim, Derrick, and Don for answering my many questions.  

In regards to the Washington line, how about if PTM rebuilds it between
Drake and Washington and operates it as a historic trolley line (they
can afford to do that, can't they)?

Forgive me for going off-topic, but Jim's comment about the PCC's not
having back-up control brings to mind my observations of the SF Muni's J
line wye at 30th Street.  While their PCC's had back-up control and a
second trolley pole, I never saw any motorman use either when
negotiating the wye.

And I agree with Jim's comment about the current LRV "fad."  No matter
how well built they are, they will eventually wear out and it will be
interesting to see what the political climate is like when that happens.

And I enjoyed Jim anecdote about the PCC "race."  Stories like that are
what gave the systems character.  I doubt if the modern LRV era will
produce any such stories, or any character at all (sigh :-( ).

And my, Pittsburgh had a lot of inclines.  It does seem strange that
none were built to carry streetcars (did Cincinnati have the patent on
that idea?).  Seems a shame that more or them aren't still around.  They
were quite interesting.  Kinda looked like barns going up and down the
hills (wonder what Tony Bennett would've sung about them).  Is the
Johnstown incline still operating?  

Naturally, I came up with a couple of more questions regard the current
system.

12)  What is the status of the Overbrook Line?  Seems that I recall
hearing that it is to be rebuilt and upgraded. 

13)  What other sections of the remaining system haven't been rebuilt or
upgraded yet?  And what does the future look like for those sections?

14)  Okay, one more.  Considering the hills of Pittsburgh, I'm surprised
that they didn't use trolley coaches to replace streetcars on some
lines.  Any particular reason for this?  

Thanks again.

Charlie

Charlesebrown at webtv.net