40-Mt..Washington Revival Spearheaded by Don Galt

[n2xjk at ulster.net]

> Don't know about the "forget" part, but some low-floors on an historical
> tourist line would be extra special. The cars that Seattle runs on the
> wharf loop out through the historical district and back are beautiful
> restorations. The closest thing in Pittsburgh to these might be two cars I
> never saw in operation -- the predecessors to the PCCs. Don't have my PTM
> Pittsburgh trolley booklets with me to check on those numbers and
> manufacturers, but I know they disappeared in late 30's early 40's. That
> Bellevue 15 and the Philadelphia 5326 at PTM are possibilities (though
> they never ran in da Burgh -- are the Seattle restorations actually
> Seattle cars?). Maybe this'll keep this thread rolling. <grin>

Unless Seattle added some rolling stock since I was there a number of years 
ago, they have Melbourne W-2 class cars.  MATA (Dallas) has a W-2 running, as 
does Memphis. 

As for funding a heritage trolley line, there are provisions available under 
TEA-21: Transportation Enhancements Program and Federal Transit Authority.  I 
don't know how one asks for FTA funds (we don't qualify at TMNY since our 
'urbanized area' is under the 200,000 population threshold), but under TEP a 
governmental agency or a private organisation with government sponsorship can 
apply through the state DOT and there is a 20% non-federal match requirement.  
Here in New York State, the application stated that up to $2 million can be 
applied for at once, but the practical limit can be much smaller since money is 
doled out by region or MPO.

Here at TMNY, we applied for TEP money in 1999--one of eighteen applications 
in the region, and the region is allocated only $1.5 million.  Still waiting to 
hear from NYDOT if we're approved or not.  Our ranking is reasonably high 
though. 

--Evan



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