Volatile Fantasy (or What If You Were Running PAT During the 1960's?)

[Edward H. Lybarger]

If I'm in charge of the Port Authority, I'm beholden to some fairly powerful
political types and will do essentially what they direct me to do.  And
that's just what happened...Harley Swift, the first executive director, was
pro-rail and got run out of town on one.

So while it would be fun to imagine "what coulda been," the reality is that
what went down had, in the inimitable Pittsburgh style, to happen.  As I've
said before, in order to understand the history here, one must understand
the depth of the hatred (some of it justified and some of it not) the
communities had for the trolley company.

I don't mean to rain on the parade, but "facts is facts."

Ed

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
[mailto:owner-pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org]On Behalf Of Kenneth and
Tracie Josephson
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2000 7:24 PM
To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
Subject: Volitale Fantasy (or What If You Were Running PAT During the
1960's?)


The early PAT management's wholesale distruction of most Pittsburgh
streetcar lines is well known to all of us. For many of us the emotional
reaction to this policy is still strong today. Therefore, I am a little
leary of bring up the following topic, but here goes:

As federal funds became available for transit agencies during the
1960's, PAT had some unique opportunities. Suppose PAT decided to try
for a balanced network of mass transit service. Let's say a mixture of
light rail style upgrades, conversion of some streetcar lines to
trackless trolley or motor coach, or even heavy rail. Perhaps retaining
a core street railway system, like Toronto has. Suppose Pittsburgh
Railways was advised by their attorneys to retain the streetcar lines
closed during the 1960, (okay, let's say 1959 for all you West End fans)
and April 1,1964 with trolley service merely suspended on those lines
and bus substitution only being temporary. Let's also say all the PCCs
still on the roster in 1960 are still on the property.

You have a fleet of about 500 PCCs at your disposal plus a very large
streetcar network. Some of those cars are not good candidates for
rebuilding. There are used PCCs available from DC, LA, Johnstown, St.
Louis, IT, etc. , but they need modifications and in some cases,
rebuilding. Some are too wide and others have undesirable running gear,
etc.

Now for the fun part...you are in charge of the newly formed Port
Authority Transit... what to do is your call! :-)  (remember, this is
only a fantasy, though it is intended to drag out some important facts
which we may have buried in our memories.) Ken J.