TR: Another South Hills Junction Update

[John Swindler]

>From: Kenneth and Tracie Josephson <kjosephson at sprintmail.com>
>Reply-To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
>To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
>Subject: Re: TR: Another South Hills Junction Update
>Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 19:00:09 +0000
>
>John Swindler wrote:
>
> > Seriously, I suspect that one would have to discuss Skybus and politics 
>to understand why the 1600s were overhauled.  The 16s weren't needed for 
>Library service under the Early Action Program.
>
>It was determined at least 90 PCC were needed for all routes during the 
>Early Action Program. Since GE equipped 1776-99 were scrapped during the 
>late 1960's, and since some Westinghouse equipped cars of the 1700-1775 
>series had been lost over the years since 1948-49, it was necessary to save 
>some 1600s for continued service. Remember, some 16s were interurbans and 
>had B-3 trucks for open track service. Ken J.


By way of explanation of my hurried comment from last week - - -

Further to "Early Action Program", it originally envisioned 
Overbrook-Library as a busway, which was later changed to an upgraded 
trolley line (light rail definition not yet invented).  Therefore, under 
modified Early Action Program of late 1960s, only enough PCC cars for 
Library required. There would be no Drake nor 42/38 car requirements as 
these lines would become part of Skybus right-of-way.  I'd have to do more 
digging for planned disposition of 43 Neeld Ave. route, but (vaguely) recall 
one plan to retain as trolley line.  Again, this is late 1960s.

Move forward a couple years to early 1970s, and politics intervened.  (And 
fortunately, if you'll excuse the editorial comment).  New requirements for 
further study of the Early Action Program were imposed, which meant that 
Skybus would not become an immediate construction project.  Therefore, 
remaining 1600s and a portion of 1700s series cars would be required for 
several more years of service through the 1970s.

In 1972, car 1616 was the test car to determine overhaul costs to keep 
remaining 1600s running until decision made on what was to happen in South 
Hills.  And why 1616?  It was in about the best shape of the remaining 
1600s.

And why was 1616 renumbered 1776?  Did you ever serve your country?  Harold 
Geissenheimer did, and he was PAT Director of Operations.  And when was 
first railroad locomotive repainted to advertise upcoming bicentennial?  
You'll find some photos in mid-1972 issues of Trains magazine.  Thus it was 
the upcoming bicentennial and not a ficticious 100 car overhaul program that 
was the cause for renumbering the overhauled 1600s into the high 1700 
series.  It was also a way to keep track of those cars which had gone 
through the overhaul program.

And what else came out of the shops at about this time (actually a bit 
earlier - 1971 or early 1972).  Try the first of the vertical paint scheme 
cars and the uniquely painted 1730.  Thus for all practical purposes, 
1776/1616 was just another part of PAT's marketing program and attempt to 
create a new image.   The results were a substantial increase in ridership, 
from 91.7 million in 1973 to 104.6 million in 1974 to 109.6 million in 1975. 
  The latter number was matched in the gas shortage year of 1979-80, but PAT 
ridership has since dropped to around 75-80 million passengers per year.

In summary:
There was no 100-car overhaul program.
The 1600 series overhaul was to improve reliability while decisions made on 
what was to happen in South Hills.
The 1600 series cars were renumbered into 1776-1799 for promotional reasons. 
  Other examples include "Flying Fraction" car 77/54 and 1794, the "Triple 
Treat" or Riverboat car.

The above comes from working for the state agency that provides PAT's state 
grant subsidies.

John S.

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