I miss Drake

[Robert E. Rathke]

A few days ago I posted observations on my years riding the Drake line
from 1972-83, and noted that 8 trolleys were scheduled inbound between
7-8 AM.  I'd like to add that a schedule of 8 trolleys/hour didn't always
mean that 8 trolleys would actually be RUNNING per hour.   In the 1970-80
era, inbound Drake trolleys were rather reliable, but afternoon outbounds
were another matter.  Delays were especially common on the Overbrook
hillside line where the passing sidings regularly got jammed with cars.  

Derailments and car breakdowns were also regular events, especially on
the Drake line, and I started to carry a camera with me to work.  I was
able to get photographs of disabled PCC's in locations that were not
easily accessible from the highways.  I'd usually wait for the tow car or
pusher, and by that time most of the passengers had left the car and
started to walk down the right of way.

I especially remember a day on the Drake line in the mid-70's when the
Ft. Couch Road highway crossing was repaved, and the asphalt got too
close to the inside of the rails.  The evening outbound PCC I was riding
derailed when the asphalt lifted the front truck wheel flanges, and the
PCC headed up southeastbound Ft. Couch Road.  The rear truck stayed on
the rails, and when the PCC stopped, it's body was about 60 degrees from
the track.  The flanges dug grooves in the asphalt, and the scene looked
like a new branch line had diverted off of the Drake line at that point. 
About 20 minutes later, a PAT truck arrived, put a cable on the rear of
the PCC and pulled it back down Ft. Couch Road until the front truck went
back on the rails. The car then proceeded outbound under its own power! 
I was fortunate to have my camera with me, and got photos of everything
from the derailment to the rerailment.  Then they scraped the excess
asphalt from around the rails.

I miss Drake.

Bob Rathke 9/13

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