Signalling -- SHJ

[Kenneth Josephson]

Jim Holland wrote:

>         With the modern computer controlled systems of today that preset
> turnouts and control blocks etc., SHJ would be a nightmare of delays
> with the track layout from old PRCo days - nothing would get through!
> But it all worked so smoothly under PRCo with only a bare minimum of
> delay.

Don't forget, in PRCo days, an operator with no common sense was given the
heave-ho. I would assume the operators had to be able to read, adhere to rules,
follow directives, use common sense and be responsible.

Today we have an era when transit agencies are forced to hire drivers/operators
who may be legally blind, suffering from severe mental illness, without basic
academic skills, sociopathic, rebellious and unable to hold down a job in the
private sector. Today's transit agencies are so dependent on federal funds, they
are at the mercy of the EEOC and other federal agencies, all run by bureaucrats
who probably don't use mass transit.

I seem to remember hearing in the narration on one of the Pittsburgh videos that
opposing cars used to pass at the sidings on the Overbrook line in perfect sync
without stopping. There are some transit systems today where I'd be worried about
having more than one car on the line, even if it was double track the entire
length! :-)  Ken  J.