Trivia Picture

[HRBran99 at aol.com]

In a message dated 02/22/2000 12:10:35 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
twg at pulsenet.com writes:

<< I don't think Bob Parker is in the picture
 (but would enjoy hearing his story) >>

The photo is not very clear so the man I thought to be Parker is probably one 
of the others.  However, the story (a true one) he related is as follows:

The 1700s were new and PRCo, in a publicity move, invited members of all 
Pittsburgh newspapers and radio stations on a "test run" of the new car. As 
we all know, the cars were equipped with the large ceiling fans and SEALED 
windows. Bob Parker worked at some job in PRCo then which allowed him to be 
the PRCo representative to the press in attendance for this test run. They 
decided to leave downtown Pittsburgh via the Point Bridge and go via the West 
End Circle, turn through the circle and return to downtown. Bob said the fans 
were running full blast as they came into West End Circle. As we also know, 
the railroad overpass cuts through West End Circle. At the same time as the 
new fan equipped, sealed window PCC entered the circle a steam locomotive 
started across the overpass, belching smoke, steam, and cinders. Bob said the 
smoke and cinders were drawn into the car through the roof monitor and the 
inside of the car was as smokey as the air outside. Everyone ended up with 
cinders and ash on their suits and smelled like coal smoke. Bob said it was 
his most embarrassing moment with PRCo. They headed back to downtown with the 
promise that dry cleaning bills would be paid by PRCo. It is noteworthy that 
the newspapers in Pittsburgh were very critical of the sealed windows on the 
PCCs from that day on.

HrB