Economy vs. Historic Vandalism --- Gleanings From *Trolley Fare*

[Jim Holland]

Greetings!

	Gleanings  From  *Trolley  Fare*
		February--1965

"*Economy vs. Historic Vandalism*"

	"The crime of historic vandalism could be defined in sundry ways using
a large number of multi-syllable words.  Specific examples are, however,
the best definition.  The destruction of New York's Pennsylvania
Station, the senseless razing of good solid buildings for the sake of
'urban ruinall' just because they were built before 1900, or such lessor
acts like covering Pittsburgh's Blockhouse (built in 1764) with aluminum
siding (this hasn't happened yet, but just wait) all fall under the
loose heading of historic vandalism; the needless annihilation of
artifacts of the past just because they are 'old.'"
	"The physical entity of the former Pittsburgh Railways Company, and
along with it, all trolley fans concerned, recently suffered what your
editor considers to be an almost entirely needless act of historic
vandalism.  In other circles, who are, of course, entitled to their
opinion as well, this act was defined as economy and perhaps,
're-identification.'"
	"Since the PRCo property was assumed by the PAT, a number of local fans
have held out hope of someday acquiring the cap badges worn by PRCo
operators.  For those who have never seen one, they were contrived to
look like the headlight of a PCC car flanked on each side by the 'wings'
used on most PCC's.  The top line of lettering read 'operator' followed
by a four digit number mounted about in the center of the circle.  Below
the number was the identification of 'Pittsburgh Railways Co.'  The rim
of the circle and the lettering were raised above a blue background by
stamping.  I doubt if there is a fan about who would not have liked to
added one of these to his collection."
	"I say 'would have' because they aren't nearly so desirable now.  In
order to eradicate PRCo's name from the personnel as well as the rolling
stock, the PAT recently called in all the badges, ground off (or
otherwise removed) the words 'Pittsburgh Railways Co.', replaced them by
a little decal of the PAT emblem, and returned them to the operators. 
Merely covering the words for the time being (and I presume the PAT is
going to get their own badges and uniforms someday) would have served
the same purpose and would have left the badges as desirable items once
again upon removal of the covering device."
	"Granted, PAT is not in business to cater to the fans.  Let us hope
however, that the large number of presently unused badges have not also
suffered such alteration, so that there would exist the possibility of
some fans being able to proudly exhibit one of these momentoes of the
past.  The future of transit in the county will doubtless bring about
the day when not a single item exists on the PAT system which carries on
it any reference to PRCo.  I don't really see any sense in hurrying the
day along, it will come soon enough.  (Editorial opion by DHH)"

	Is this Dave Hamley?

James B. Holland

        Pittsburgh  Railways  Company  (PRCo),   1930  --  1950
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