West Penn 832

[Fredbruhn at aol.com]

I was under the impression that 832 was the last curved side car shopped at 
Connellsville and is why the museum picked it.  When Fred Schneider says it 
was in horrid shape when it arrived it makes me think I am totally off base.  
Did the PERC have other choices on cars from WP?

I do remember that the sheet metal was bad enough that John Baginsky, plus I 
assume others, torn the car down to the frame, and that must have been 30 
years ago.

As museums go, I will give PTM a thumbs up for the decisions the founders and 
directors have  taken on car acquisitions.  Remember in the beginning many of 
the cars came via private sourcing, e.x. Dick Boker 1138, Brown's 3756, and I 
am sure personal preference played a role.   

If you want to see the no focus, shotgun approach to museum management, check 
out ORM in Columbus or NORM in Cleveland.  Everything from dead steam engines 
to CTA 4000's, mostly stored outside.  Get everything you can, we'll worry 
about
storing and restoring some time in the future.   The founders at NORM are all 
dedicated people, but looking at TTC (ex Cleveland) PCC's, Shaker (I presume 
ex 
St. Louis) PCC's, a TTC small Witt, a PRCo. 1600, Airporter's from the 
original CTS'
rapid, a NOT&L shell, and others all outside with minimal protection, did 
they need
4000's just because they were available.   The vandals have been terrible, 
and mother nature does here work too. 

Fred