PRCo Maps & Routes 1930 -- 1955

[Jim Holland]

Greetings!

John Swindler wrote:

> In the South Hills, on 42 line (for Jim H.'s benefit), Mt. Lebanon Jct.
> (latter Dormont Wye) to Neeld Ave. is shown single track with two passing
> sidings.

	Can you please give the location of the sidings?  Any chance of getting
a copy of this map?  Does this map still show center of the highway prw
on Broadway all the way thru Beechview?

> On Overbrook line, only one siding is shown between Oak and South
> Hills Jct., probably Bon Air.

	I have a schematic of the two interurban lines starting at Boggs (why
there?) and going all the way to Roscoe on Charleroi and Tylerdale on
Washington.  It shows distances between sidings, turnouts etc. and gives
dates of modifications.
	Bon Air is listed as No. 1 Siding; Smith (Reflectorville) is also
listed but does not give a date for its addition.  I would *assume* that
this siding was there very early on since no date for conversion is
listed.  The reason for this assumption is that a date of 1922 is listed
for adding a track to the Riverview loop to make it a wye to short-turn
cars from Pgh.  If a more current date is indicated for the addition of
Smith siding, I would think this map would show it.
	This schematic has a text annotation - without altering the drawing -
indicating that McKinley Park and Edgebrook Sidings were added in 1953;
the sidings are not shown.  Drake and Simmons Loops are drawn above the
appropriate section of the schematic to show their addition.
Also, Castle Shannon loop was new as of 1948; it was previously a wye! 
Cars would pull out of the Barn either inbound or outbound (when CS was
a full function yard) so this produced a wye for short turning cars. 
Wyeing would be difficult with heavier traffic in later years, even
though totally off street!
	EUREKA!!!  I used a double pair of bifocals for magnification because
there is some faint markings underneath Smith Siding.  Even then I had
to strain to see that  SMITH  SIDING  was  NEW  in  1928!!!!!!!  Thanks
for this challenge; I learned something new!

> In vicinity of Tunnel CH, 42 indicated as double track along current
> alignment.

	This reveals that the 1927 and 1950 geodetic maps are all wet in this
regard.

> It shows 38/39 as double track in West Liberty Ave., then into
> single track vic Palm Garden trestle, then splitting -  with left branch
> immediately becoming double track connection to 42 vic. Palm Garden Loop -
> and single track right branch extending parallel to 42 to lead directly to
> single track behind administration building, and then double track
> connection to 44/47/48 line.

> Now, even I'm confused.  This South Hills Jct. discussion looks like an
> issue requiring photographic evidence.

	YES  --  this makes for even more confusion  --  but can we always
trust the dates on photos?!?!?!?!  This is why I would like several
pieces of evidence from several different sources to confirm any
particular item.  That means there were three parallel tracks -
inbound/outbound 38-39-42 as well as the admin track down thru the
yard.  This left five tracks outside the main Car House for outside
storage!

> As for crossovers, ERA map dtd March 4, 1945 shows 28 Heidelberg crossover
> on Bell at Woodkirk in Carnegie.  Also shows crossovers not at end of track
> on Overbrook vic. Glenbury and at Castle Shannon (was loop a post-war
> addition?), 65 on Amity near 8th in Homestead, Braddock near Library on 55
> and Library near Bell, Atwood at Forbes, Evans at 5th in McKeesport, 2
> crossovers at Kennywood Park but only one shown at 10/15 terminal. Also east
> of Glenwood Bridge on 56, West Liberty at Dormont Wye, and in Dravosburg.
> Missing from the map are crossovers for 32 P&LE Transfer, unless they were
> also later additions. Looks like there was a crossover on Smithfield St. at
> the P&LE Station stop.  Keep in mind that map not drawn by local raifan.

	I had listed those crossovers with the exception of the West End which
I could not find.
	As for P&LE, there is a crossover that I forgot.  The approach to the
Smithfield Bridge heading north was paved, then went into open "T" rail
on an embankment before going onto the bridge proper.  There used to be
an x-over on this embankment which I *presume* was for the 32 (Harold A.
Smith photo #PI-0352 of 3707 inbound on Washington shows this crossover
behind the car; it is dated September 27, 1938.  Interestingly the next
photo in my album shows 1722 inbound on Water almost at Grant displaying
a Washington destination with the Charleroi interurban, also a 17
interurban, immediately behind.  Date:  1949.06.25 from Jersey chapter
NRHS.  Interurbans ran in tandem with local cars filling in to Castle
Shannon or West Library.)  This way the 32 could drop its passengers off
and pick them up from a direct connection.  But this is an extremely
busy location so I assume that the crossover was moved around the corner
to W. Carson.  Also, the turns from the tunnel to W. Carson both
directions are latter day additions as well - sometime during or after
WW2.

	MAY  I  PLEASE  GET  A  COPY  OF  THIS  MAP?!?!?!?!?!?!?

> Hope this hasn't muddied waters too much.

	Absolutely not - it helps to clarify immensely!
> 
> John S.

James B. Holland
------- -- ---------
        Pittsburgh Railways Company (PRCo), June of 1949 -- June of 1953
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