Car Life

[John Swindler]

>Kenneth Josephson commented to:
>
>
>John Swindler wrote:
>
> > What about SEPTA's AM General trackless trolleys delivered in 1979 for 
>use on 29, 79, 75, 66 and 59?  No plans to replace and still 66 on the 
>roster last time I checked.
>
>True. But in Seattle, where they have seen harsh conditions, they are at 
>the end of their service life. Ditto for Dayton where the coaches were 
>retired and replaced with a fleet of Skodas last year.


Are they really at the end of their service life, or is federal money 
available for replacement.  I'd like to hear Jim Holland's comments about 
MUNI's trackless.  Might be as close as we could get to an honest 
assessment.


>Boston is  looking into a new fleet to replace the AM Generals on its 
>Cambridge network and it is rumored Philadelphia may order new coaches for 
>the 59, 66 and 75. The 29 and 79 may be dieselized.

Yeh.  29 and 79 never did seem to make much sense, even when I first saw 
patronage numbers in early 1970s.  Wonder if there was a historical reason.  
Maybe neighbors not wanting 40 ft. diesel buses.  Did 29 and 79 get buses 
from 61-Ridge?  Guess this is straying.


>
>Incidently, trolley coach historian Paul Ward is of the opinion that if 
>Pittsburgh did decide to utilize trolley coaches on parts of the system, 
>even the best built and most maintenance free trolley coaches would not 
>have lasted anywhere as long as they did elsewhere due to the rough street 
>pavement.


Why would that not be any different then with diesel bus??????

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