Old PRCo route numbers (was: Route 9, 8, PHB&NC)

[Vigrass, Bill]

Re Route Numbers.  Cleveland Railway showed route numbers on its map but not
on its cars.  But trhe 4000 and 5000's (1928-30) were built with a route
number two digit blind on the right front corner. But it was always used for
the block number or run number.  Finally, CTS began using the route numbers
on vehicles about 1948 or thereabouts.  Still do.  But they put the route
number on the main destination blind of the one-manned 4000's and continued
to use the corner blind for block numbers.  Bill V.

	----------
	From:  Kenneth and Tracie Josephson [SMTP:kjosephson at sprintmail.com]
	Sent:  Wednesday, November 10, 1999 1:54 PM
	To:  pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
	Subject:  Re: Old PRCo route numbers (was: Route 9, 8, PHB&NC)

	Edward H. Lybarger wrote:
	> 
	> The cars bore colored markers and metal signs featuring the names
of the
	> destinations, all for the "convenience" of the public (which WILL
be
	> damned!).  No numbers were apparent, since they were for internal
use!

	This reminds me of the situation in Milwaukee. All the city car
lines
	had designated numbers prior to 1927, but these were also used for
	internal purposes. Using the numbers for route identification by the
	general public didn't start until 1927 or so. Incidentally, those
same
	numbers have survived into the present day with diesel bus service. 

	With all the short turns and routing variations present in
Pittsburgh, I
	would guess assigning numbers for public use helped quite a bit!
Ken J.