Speed

[Kenneth and Tracie Josephson]

Vigrass, Bill wrote:

> And yes there was a feeling that a new name was necessary for the
> reasons you stated.  Streetcars were "obsolete, old fashioned, etc." and
> often the press used jerk, jolt, rattled, etc. when describing them, even
> when such words did not apply.  I think they did some of it in the articles
> on the demise of the Drake shuttle.

The press most certaining did. I rode the Drake line the last week and
was on very last revenue car. I have never seen the track or wire in
better condition than on that last visit. I personally saw the
speedometer in the 4000 series PCCs hit 40 mph. One person claimed he
saw one hit 42 mph. While one of the cars did have a rough track brake
on the front truck (the thing was even quivering in the raised
position), the cars were smooth, quiet and the seats were comfortable.
Ken J.