G.E. Equipped PCCs

[Derrick J Brashear]

On Thu, 8 Jun 2000, Jim Holland wrote:

> 	It was not necessarily the fact that *we-the-people* abandoned
> trolleycars  --  we abandoned public transport for private mobility  -- 
> which means abandoning trolleycars, trolley coaches, and motor coaches! 
> This, too, was a factor but not the total cause.
> 	It was inevitable that this would happen!

After a trip to Sweden I'm not so sure of that. But that's a message for
another time and place (a message I should finish and send to people;
anyone not on Harold's list who wants it should let me know)

> 	I believe that had PRCo survived until today that they would have
> systematically replaced the trolleycars rather than rebuild the lines in
> many but not all cases.

I'm not sure I believe that. Or rather, I'm not sure how much of that
would have happened. When my father was in high school track was relaid in
Fifth Avenue, 1962 or so. Obviously someone thought rail had *some* future
in Pittsburgh. If PAT hadn't happened, I'd bet more of the system (though
certainly not all of it) would be left.

Me, while I'm resigned to the loss of the 62 line, I really wish the
Pennsy commuter service wasn't canned, not that I'm sure how going
downtown first on the way to work would necessarily be useful. But then,
neither the 62 nor the 87 would have taken me to Oakland anyhow.

-D