Pittsburgh's Famous 1800s

[Bob Rathke]

Regarding Ken's message below...April Fools jokes have a way of coming
true:

Popular Electronics Magazine was known for its detailed technical
articles that were nothing but big April Fools jokes.  I still have a
copy of their April, 1961 issue which contained an article on a new
audio playback machine.  (Keep in mind that in 1961, most audio
recordings were made on vinyl 33-1/3 RPM records that were played by
running a styles in the record's  grooves.)  The 1961 article described
(in great technical detail) a new system whereby the music track would
be recorded on a TRANSPARENT vinyl disc, using a modification of the
optical sound track technique then used on 16mm movie film.  A light
bulb would replace the stylus in the record player tone arm, and this
light bulb - without touching the record - would pick up the music on
the record's optical tracks. This article  fooled a lot of people until
they checked the magazine's issue date.

Now, in 2001...doesn't that 1961 April Fools joke sound a lot like a
laser CD?

There's still hope for an 1800 series!

Bob 1/2

---------------------------------------

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??????