Bridges, Rumors and Trolley Coaches

[Kenneth Josephson]

mrb190 wrote:

> Judging by the West End Lines Transit Gloria Mundi video, it was a happenin'
> bridge - lots and TONS of activity up to June, 1959.
>
> Perhaps the "unsound" rumor was started by the anti-Point Bridge, anti-trolley
> contingent after the "battle to save the Point Bridge" began in June, 1959.  Of
> course, by saying that, I could be starting another rumor.

I would guess that most people living in the region during the winter of 1967-68
remembers the "Silver Bridge" incident on the Ohio/West Virginia border. After that
bridge collasped, it was discovered one of the pins in the eye-link suspension
"cables" had cracked and shattered. A nearly identical bridge elsewhere over the
Ohio River was closed and replaced. Though I am not sure, I would guess this lead
to some additional scrutiny of Pittsburgh's "Three Sisters." They are of similar
design, but in typical Pittsburgh fashion, they are well engineered, overbuilt and
full of redundant construction techniques.

I suppose someone had it in their mind the Point would be more attractive without
the two massive bridges so close to the tip. But as Ed pointed out, and as the
literature he provided me with on the study to convert to trolley coaches, the
Railways wanted to abandon or convert those lines anyway.

I do wonder if the "Hilltop" lines such as the  40, 44, 48 or 49 were discussed as
potential candidates for conversion to trolley coach operation? Even with the tight
clearances, the steep grades and lighter patronage might have been well served by
forty passenger electric coaches, freeing up track maintenance money and materials
for heavily patronized rail lines. Ken J.