West Penn 832

[Edward H. Lybarger]

The 832 wasn't that bad when it got here, but the local thieves removed the
copper wiring while it sat out of doors.  It was the only car available in
1952, having been inadvertently(?) omitted from the list of cars sold to the
scrapper.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
[mailto:owner-pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org]On Behalf Of
Fredbruhn at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 04, 2000 8:43 PM
To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
Subject: West Penn 832


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