Speed

[Derrick J Brashear]

On Fri, 15 Oct 1999, Jim Holland wrote:

> 	Interesting option.  I don't know the current route numbers but Dormont 
> Shannon Village is the already established line so I thought that when Overbrook 
> is rebuilt that the Library line might use this straight thru.  If I lived on the 
> Village line, I would transfer to the Library for a faster ride to downtown.

When I was in high school the routes were
42S South Hills Village (with 42 Mt. Lebanon short turns, I think to just
south of the Mt. Lebo tunnel)
47D Drake
47S South Hills Village
47L Library

52 Allentown reopened while I was in high school, I can remember driving
down Arlington Avenue while the street was ripped up.

There was a shuttle to Penn Station from Steel Plaza which was later cut,
though some "quick getaway" afternoon rush trips (3, I recall) left Penn
Station around 5pm and headed out 42S. 

There was a shuttle whose name I'm forgetting which ran from South Hills
Junction, in and around the loop, and back, then changed ends. Often laid
over just beyond the junction on the Overbrook line.

They may or may not still have 2 car trains during rush hour (if LRV
availability is up again) where the 2nd car is unmanned: the doors open at
high platforms, and those stations have booths where fare is collected.
Typically the 2nd car was signed "43S South Hills Village Express" at the
time. The background was red, with white letters; The 42S had white on a
green background. I can't remember any actual express service, which is
sort of a shame.

The PCC wreck and Library quickie rebuild happened while I was in
high school, at which point we ended up with 42L instead of 47L (with the
obvious change in route and equipment). Atlas Railroad Co did the quickie
rebuild (no bridges, for instance, had their tracks spread). Same company
in today's paper, they goofed when replacing a crossover on Broadway in
Beechview, it's being replaced this weekend, service suspended.

> 	Many people stopped taking the Drake because it was more convenient to 
> drive to the Village and park and then take the Village line.  If the 
> Library-Overbrook is much faster downtown, then maybe people will drive to Wash 
> Jct and park making the Village line OB of Wash Jct obsolete!

Only so many spots at each park 'n ride. People out there park where they
can, by 8 the lots are typically full, often earlier.

> 	How many people actually ride transit for the purpose of going to the 
> Village?  Bet the number is very small.  Also, how many people board or alight at 

When I was in college full-time I did it frequently. Far nicer than the
bus ride to Monroeville, even if I needed to take a bsu downtown first.

> 	Last time I rode a Pgh streetcar was 1984 when I was home on a visit.  We 
> drove from Dormont to the Village and parked to catch the PCC.  We had just missed 
> one and had to wait almost an hour for the next car!  The ride was thru Overbrook. 

The PCCs didn't run via Beechview, so if you caught a PCC it was through
Overbrook. South Hills Village PCC service was infrequent for as long as I
was riding... 

>  While LRV frequency to/from the Village is probably much greater than 1984, I 
> wager it is not because of the demand for service between Wash Jct and the 
> Village.  The demand comes from the rest of the line and the cars are just thru 
> routed to the Village.

I have a circa 1987 schedule. I should get a scanner already, but I need
to get my wife's car fixed. Going from a one car to a zero car family is
inconvenient: ever try to transport large objects when walking to and from
a bus? (larger than groceries)

-D