call for conjecture... (power/coast points)

[Jim Holland]

Greetings!

Derrick J Brashear wrote:

> I recall reading . . . about a system where the diverging
> route was "coast" and the main route "power" because there was a single
> turnout on their system on a hill which made coasting into it difficult.

> I know that
> at least in the PCC days in Pittsburgh a toggle was used instead of
> "power" but the idea was the same... were there any places on the system
> where "coasting" was a problem?

	One that comes to mind immediately is outbound on the 8-21 lines where
the 21 turns off Perrysville onto Henderson.  Definitely uphill - and
twould be difficult to coast into.
	But going back to the original observation - doesn't matter which
direction is coast *uphill* - diverge or straight thru - it is still
going to be difficult to make it coast - theoretically.  For the
original observation from Electric-Lines, maybe there is one direction
which is used more frequently than the other and they set it up for
being easiest to throw the switch.  But this presents definite problems
as well . . . . . .
	If a system is set-up for coast straight thru and power / toggle for
diverge, one is asking for trouble to set up a certain turnout to work
in reverse of that, yes?!
	Also, the intersection of Crafton and Bradford in the West End looked a
little difficult because of layout and hills - from the TGM video -
don't personally remember this intersection.  Not as bad as the 8-21,
though.
	And SHJ - coming out of the tunnel outbound up a 6% grade on prw into a
switch is not too bad, but the 44-48 had to turn left, clatter through
special work on a curve and face the switch going into the track behind
the admin building.  Pedestrian traffic at this location as well.  Don't
know which direction was coast, but still a place that is a little
sticky.  Also Warrington and Beltzhoover OB on Warrington is a good
upgrade on a narrow street.  And the 96 turning from Penn onto Negley
uphill from very Broad Penn Avenue to narrow Negley presents its own
complications in addition to the switch!

James B. Holland
------- -- ---------
        Pittsburgh Railways Company (PRCo), June of 1949 -- June of 1953
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