[PRCo] Re: Beeses vs Trolleycars

[John Swindler]

>Jim Holland replied
>
>	This has to do with Einstein's Theory--of--Relativity  --
>it is all relative - relative to E. Pgh., the South had much prw.  It is
>also Relative to other cities  --  like SF with a small portion on the
>J- & K-lines and some center of the highway prw on the M  --  makes PRCo
>look like the PRR mainline!!
>	In 1978, a couple local--yokel SF trolleycar fans made a swing thru
>several systems in the East including Pgh.  One had been before; first
>trip for the other.  I could sense that the 'other' did not like Pgh.
>and just found out within the last couple years that they took a ride on
>the Interurban from downtown.  Tunnel was ok, but of course there was no
>more street running!  And the 'other' said:  "Don't like this  --
>streetcars are supposed to run on the streets!"
>
> > So from my perspective (as a post-war baby boomer), PRC was primarily a 
>city
> > streecar system serving numerous outlying communities, often based on 
>the
> > steel economy.  Oh, and it also had a bit of prw on a couple lines, such 
>as
> > 56, 10/15, 87, 42 and 35/36.  But 6, 8, 13, 18, 19, 21, 22, (I was too 
>young
> > for west end), 38, 39, 40, 44, 47, 48, 49, 50, 53, 77/54, 55, 57, 58, 
>64,
> > 66, 67, 71, 73, 75, 76, 82, 85, 88, 94, 95, 96, and 98 were city street
> > lines.
>
>	Most definitely beg to disagree with the above.  Tunnel itself will not
>be included as prw (even though it is prw) but certainly the ride down
>thru the yard qualifies as prw, Yes??  How many car lines in Pgh. did
>that - autos couldn't travel down there (with exception of PRCo shop
>trucks - but then they can travel prw anywhere if they wish!)  Then
>there is the long Palm Garden Trestle  --  1,000--feet  --  and the
>trolleycar only ramp from W. Liberty Ave!  No autos on all this!
>	So I  ADD  the following with prw - 38, 39 (which also had some center
>of the highway prw, double track, Brookline Blvd., as well as a stretch
>of single track prw at the end to the loop), 40-line leaving SHJ, also
>44-48, and 47.
>	The 8-Perrysville had about 1/2--mile prw at the end down behind
>Perrysville Ave which also includes the rush hour only 11.  The 55-line
>had a 1-2--mile or better side-of-the-road-prw along Braddock.  You left
>out the 65 above which had a short-block of prw shared with the 56- as
>well as an off-street siding at this location so a Lincoln-Place bound
>car could wait for the single track to clear.  And the 68-line had prw
>beside Duquesne Blvd thru Kennywood Park.


Your first sentence, Jim, was right on target:  question of relativity.

For some reason, always thought/think of 42 as prw line.  I tend to overlook 
Broadway street running.  But also consider 38 and 39 as street running.  
The "image" that comes to mind would be based on Sunday/Holiday pass riding 
is the commercial area of West Liberty near Pioneer and Brookline Blvd.  
Your weekday trips were probably on 42. It was 64 and 76 that were used by 
my family.

The memory of 56 is the prw sections of the line.  Aain, don't ask me why.  
For 55, its going through Homestead (usually to make connection to 65).  And 
60 and 68 went just over a year before I was 'let loose'.

There is an exercise Schneider and I occasionally reminisce about:  What the 
difference seven years makes between our memories of Pittsburgh.  He 
remembers 'yellow' cars; I don't.  Likewise, west end went just a bit too 
soon for me.

Actually, what triggered this was a comment made by a Chicago railfan during 
weekend the Drake line was abandoned.  He mentioned that he was fortunate 
enough to see Pittsburgh the way it used to be.  I asked when was that, and 
he replied "1971, just before 44, 48 and 53 were abandoned".  Didn't have 
the heart to list what he missed by not getting to Pittsburgh a few years 
earlier.

John



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