SIGNAL PROBLEMS AND SAND ON RAILS

[HRBran99 at aol.com]

In a message dated 11/11/00 1:39:29 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
pghpcc at pacbell.net writes:


> Five-mph is almost a dead stop - I believe it was rather common for
> PRCo to be hitting these at 10-15-mph - but could see that going fast
> might be a potential problem.
>     
SIGNAL PROBLEMS:
PATransit (using the same rules as PRCo. -- the rule books are almost exactly 
the same language) allowed 5 MPH only over a Facing Point Switch. This was a 
speed designed to allow the operator to stop the car before going over the 
facing point switch if it had not lined up properly. To operate a PCC car, 
loaded with passengers, at any higher speed over a facing point switch is 
only tempting fate. Sooner or later an accident will occur to those who 
flaunt such safety rules. Pages 59 and 60 of the PATransit, "Important 
Orders," 1973 (my copy issued to me when operating PCCs is 00138) states 5 
MPH over facing point. It states not more than 10 MPH when leaving single 
track into double track, and goes on to say operators must consume not less 
than 10 seconds between the time the car passes the Head Block and the time 
it passes the Directional Indicator.

<<Pittsburgh Railways Co. didn't have the same problems with Natchod signals
> actuated by trolley wire contactors,;>>

Do you remember my post about the high winds causing the Nachod signals to 
change on New Arlington Avenue one night? Maybe when the cars were operated 
by PRCo., the contactors had not aged enough. By the time PATransit was 
running things, there were problems with trolley wire contactors. These were 
the type Jim describes as being about 2 feet long with the contactors to the 
side of the trolley wire.

SAND ON RAILS:
All of page 63 of the rule book talks about the cars equipped with "Rail 
Cleaning Track Brakes." It lists cars 1700, 1704, 1706, 1723, and 1724 as 
being equipped with the special. Also goes on to tell more about when, why 
and how to use them. 

Page 54 deals with how to use the sanders on single track sections controlled 
by APB Track Circuit Signals.

In order to keep this post short I will not quote those passages here. If 
anyone really is interested in what they say, contact me off list. 


Herb Brannon
In Sunny Florida
Let the Bush Bros. Plan Your Next Election
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