Purity of Pittsburgh Railways

[Kenneth and Tracie Josephson]

Derrick J Brashear wrote:

> Actually, I assumed it was on-topic because of the comparison with the
> current situation of the, uh, low speed running we're left with in
> Pittsburgh.

A number of us, myself included, have made similar comparisons over the last
several months. I see nothing wrong with that.

I found it humorous to note the speedometers in 4004 and 4008 registered at 40
mph in several locations during the last week of PCC service on Drake. Why?
Because Ed Lybarger, Scott Davis and a PAT employee whose name escapes me had
told me how PAT officials had reset the governors on the Siemens cars to allow
a maximum speed of 31 mph. Scott also mentioned motormen/motorwomen are
acquiring over ride keys and that PAT would be monitoring who is over riding
the govenors. After telling me all this, he pointed out signal contacts
designed for use at 70 mph.

I thought about this when I read Fred's comments on the New Jersey operation.

Some of the fastest PCC rides around seemed to be on sections of the South
Hills rebuilt during the 1970's. It's rather sad to think the remaining 1700s
and 1600s didn't get many chances to "stretch their legs" until almost the
very end of the PCC era in Pittsburgh.

Ken J.