Pittsburgh's Famous 1800s (Was Holland's at it again.)

[Kenneth Josephson]

Fredbruhn at aol.com wrote:

> However, my real reason for this is I just looked in at the St.
> Petersburg
> web site and
> our Mr. Holland must have had a bit too much ginger ale last evening.
> Take a
> look at the 1800 series PCC running in Washington.  You will enjoy it
> too.

For those of you who did not know, Pittsburgh's final PCC order of 1951
(the little known 1800s) present a rather interesting story.

The company's management thought ridership would remain at high levels
due to the Korean War. Wanting to standardize on PCCs and to rid itself
of those pesky remaining Low Floors, the company decided to order
another group of PCCs.

At this time, St. Louis Car was winding down production and did not wish
to build anymore surface cars after Muni's final 25 car order.
Pittsburgh Railways turned to Pullman-Standard for the first time. The
plan was to use this final PCC order for service in the more affluent
parts of town and downgrade the 1000s and 1100s to tripper service.

Pullman-Standard proceded to build their most beautiful PCC streetcars
ever. The cars featured monitor roofs and picture windows, the latter a
first for PCC streetcars.

The cars arrived in Pittsburgh, looking so beautiful in their 1700 style
white front scheme. Then tragedy struck.

Through an oversight on Pullman-Standard's part, the cars arrived with
standard gauge trucks! Unable to utlilize these splendid new PCCs,
Pittsburgh Railways promptly rejected them.

At a loss with what to do with the unwanted cars, Pullman-Standard made
an unbelievable offer to all remaining standard gauge streetcar
operators. Longtime Pullman-Standard PCC customer Boston knew a once in
a lifetime opportunity when they saw one............................


.................and now you know the rest of the story! ;-)

Ken J.

P.S.- How long until April First??????
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