Speed

[Vigrass, Bill]

Several years ago I wrote Bill Millar then at PAT comparing running times
from Mt Wash Jct to downtown via PRC 1951 timetable that I copied compared
to 1994 or 95 or thereabouts via LRT via Mt. Lebanon & Beechview. After
spending a half billion dollars, running time was exactly the same (in part
because of circuity).  I used that argument to stimulate rebuilding of the
47 Overbrook to provide fast direct service to Library.  I dunno if it had
any effect, but perhaps it lent one more stimulus to the decision eventually
made. I am still on very good terms with Bill Millar, saw him this week at
APTA annual meeting at Orlando, FL.  He is enthusiastic and always
optimistic.  I think he is the right guy for the job he now has.   
And 47 is being rebuilt as rapidly as funds flow, which is not very fast.
Anyhow, they are trying.
Planner Al Biehler, retired and now a full time consultant, told me that
there is an active proposal for an LRT line to the near north side.  I think
I have read of it.  Perhaps it will happen.   The spine line evidently is
dead for the time being because of very high cost that PAT does not have the
resources to cover, even for local match.  But 47 direct to Library as LRT
all the way will be a major improvement.  Things are lookin' up.
BillV.

> ----------
> From: 	Kenneth and Tracie Josephson[SMTP:kjosephson at sprintmail.com]
> Reply To: 	pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> Sent: 	Thursday, October 14, 1999 5:23 AM
> To: 	pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> Subject: 	Speed
> 
> Vigrass, Bill wrote:
> > 
> > I rode the LA Green Line a year ago and found it fast and smooth, in the
> > median of I-105. Bill Vigrass.
> 
> Hi Bill,
> 
> Yes, the Green Line is fast and smooth. Too bad it still doesn't reach
> the airport. The Blue Line is the route that has been slowed down. I
> apologize for not clarifying that. 
> 
> To get back on topic, when I was in Pittsburgh last month, the buzz was
> the governors on the LRVs were reset to 31 mph. There was talk about how
> operators got override keys to shunt the governors. Scott Davis showed
> me signalling hardware which indicated that some sections of the system
> *could* support 70 mph operation. I see no reason why the line isn't
> operated in the 40-60 mph range. Crossing gates should be enough. The
> remnants of a few Fords and Toyotas scattered along the rights of way
> would drive home the message Operation Lifesaver can't! :-) Anyone
> stupid enough to drive in front of a high speed trolley would be doing
> humankind a favor by removing himself/herself from the active gene pool.
> :-) 
> 
> Seriously, I would like a comparison of present running times between
> Downtown and Mt. Lebanon and the best schedule of the 42/38 before
> rebuilding. I have PAT schedules of the line from 1972, 1975, 1979 &
> 1982. What I need is the current schedule. Ken J.
>