This One is Getting Good!

[Kenneth Josephson]

John F Bromley wrote:

> The Toronto Witts were never as bad as suggested, I rode them to and
> from work for 5 years twice a day (Kingston Rd Tripper) and when well
> maintained (and they were) it was like riding on rubber (if a tad noisier).
> TTC in the 1970s hadn't a clue how to properly service the Witts they
> reintroduced for tour service and the Small Witts (2766, 2894) were not the
> same as they were in regular service.  2424 was better, but it was bigger
> and weighed a few more tons.

So if the car I rode in tourist service (I can't remember if it was 2424 or
2894. I know it wasn't 2766) was fully restored and maintained properly, it
would have been a nicer riding car? I believe that! :-) I need to look at my
pictures and see which car I rode that day.

Of course, M-454 was downgraded to work car status and wasn't given any TLC (nor
were the PCCs or infrastructure, especially during the early PAT years.)

>  Now, TTC wants to spend C$100,000 Canadian and
> make 2766 operational again.  On that budget they're dreaming, as Corley
> surveyed the car for the TTC under contract and recommended C$250,000+ in
> work to make it reasonably habitable.  If they do the mini-job, forget any
> charter use, it'll just be for show.

Rebuilding a trolley is the same as restoring an automobile. Do it correctly the
first time and maintain it. It will run all the time, everytime. Throw a paint
job over mechanical problems and you'll be waiting for a tow  sooner or later.
As I wrote to another list member privately, I believe PTM's 1711 will be a
source of irritation for years to come until the funds are there to tear it down
like the 1138 or IRM's Cleveland PCC.

May I add an improperly restored trolley car, breaking down and tying up revenue
service gives the bean counters another excuse to keep such relics off their
rails. Roger DuPuis and Rob Hutchinson have sent me some nice photos of night
charters on the TTC. A night trip in a Witt sounds fun!

Ken J.