Route & Trolleycar Assignments & District RR Broad--Gauged --- Gleanings From *Trolley Fare*

[Jim Holland]

Greetings!

	Gleanings  From  *Trolley  Fare*
		May--1965

	"April 12th was the opening ball game at Forbes Field and the trolleys
turned out in full force.  Special cars were run from Craft Avenue to
Halket to Fifth, turning at Duquesne Gardens and travelling downtown on
Fifth.  These were all Tunnel cars and it was quite a sight to see four
interurbans, one after the other parading through Oakland.  A number of
other Tunnel cars were loaned to Craft for the rush hour and interurban
1705 made a round trip on route 76, with its destination neatly chalked
on the front in foot high letters, PAT has finally seen the folly of
cramped destination signs!  The 12 Tunnel and 1 Keating car on ball park
specials had a tough time getting downtown due to the large amount of
traffic.  Most of these cars were scheduled to take a rush hour trip out
to the South Hills and had the relevant destination signs, as the delays
became longer and longer a frustrated route foreman came down Fifth. 
Typical comment:  'You're too late to be the 5.09 to Drake, make the
5.22 to Dormont.'  Ten minutes later and one block further on:  'You're
too late for the 5.22 make the 5.38 to Shannon.'  One operator
complained of an aching wrist due to four changes of destination.  Fella
what do you think you're getting paid $3.06-1/2 per hour for?  And for
the second time in a year PAT was bitterly regretting the two blocks of
track torn up on Forbes Avenue, forcing all downtown cars onto Fifth."

	From the "You *Absolutely* need to Know This!!!"  Department, I quote:

"DISTRICT  RAILROAD  BROAD--GAUGED!!!"

	"Yes, one of the railroads in the Pittsburgh area has been
broad--gauged!  Hold on now, don't let your imagination get away with
you.  The railroad involved is the line at the Children's Zoo and the
gauge is being 'broadened' from the former 16" to something near 24". 
No doubt new equipment will also be added, to replace the former name
trains.  (Zooper Chief and Screamliner)"

James B. Holland

        Pittsburgh  Railways  Company  (PRCo),   1930  --  1950
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