[PRCo] Wisconsin and PRC (now we're on topic!)

[Bob Rathke]

Just returned from a long day in Wisconsin.  Started out at 8:30AM by
going to the new (June, 2000) trolley system in Kenosha where I was
invited to the dedication of the Joseph McCarthy Transit Center, a
reception and an open house - thanks, Harold, for arranging the
invitation.

It rained most of the morning, but a moderate-size crowd was on hand
with umbrellas for outdoor dedication speeches (very brief), and then
the unveiling of the new sign on the building.  Then it was off for
trolley rides.  The "Pittsburgh" hourglass-paint PCC was the first car
to load, followed by the "Cincinnati" car, and then the "Toronto" car.
They had free rides all day, and handed out nice, full-color dedication
programs and a folder on the trolley system with photos of all five
PCC's.  I'll scan these printed items and send them to Derrick for
posting on my page on his website.  I'll send an e-mail to the list when
they're posted.

Development of the Harbor Park area, especially at the Lake Michigan
end, has advanced significantly since June, 2000.  Residents will start
moving into the first of the condo buildings in a few weeks, and the
Kenosha Museum will open in September.  A lot remains to be done in
Kenosha, but spirits are high, and the trolley line is a binding force
in the redevelopment.

After riding the Kenosha trolleys, it was off to Milwaukee to photograph
trains.  The Amtrak station there was busy - and straight out of the
1950's.

And, I had an opportunity to meet with Harold Geissenheimer.  Always
enjoyable.

I commented to Harold that the wheel treads on the Kenosha PCC's are
about 5X thicker than the treads on Pittsburgh PCC's in the mid-1960's.
Some of the treads on 1400's and 1500's were so thin - about the
thickness of a coffee can rim, it seemed - that I took photos of them
for proof.

Bob 6/2/01