[PRCo] Re: Crossovers

[Fred W. Schneider III]

Is it not possible that many of the crossovers were installed to permit
service cars to either turn back or to get out of the way of regular
cars? 

tsquare at toad.net wrote:
> 
> Jim
> 
> Adding comment to yours:
> 
> I could never figure out the utility of the crossover on the 38 line
> between McFarland and Biltmore.  Yes, it permitted an outbound 42 to
> utilize 38 inbound in an emergency -- but an outbound 38 couldn't
> utilize it to go inbound on 42 (that operation would have had to be
> via the specialwork at McFarland and West Liberty (about 300' further
> south) -- and then with two backup moves!  So what was the intended
> purpose of the crossover?  Was there at one time cut-back service
> on the 38 line at this location?
> 
> BTW -- Did the Neeld Ave loop a replace a crossover?
> 
> Tom
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org
> [mailto:pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org]On Behalf Of Jim
> Holland
> Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2001 3:07 AM
> To: -->- PRCo -- WP -- JTC -- The Big *3* -<--
> Subject: [PRCo] Crossovers
> 
> HI!
>         In discussing the 46- and 49-lines, we wondered about a crossover on
> Warrington for the 46-line to change ends.  This did not exist.
> 
>         Looking at the 1949-ERA map of Pgh reveals precious few crossovers.
> Not going to try to list them all, but here are a few that remained:
> 
>         09-line, Charles near Perrysville
>         10-15-lines, 2-xovers show near West View, but actually
>                 3-xovers in latter days to allow cars to layover
>                 in both directions with ability of service cars
>                 to pass in both directions.
>         11-Evergreen and East Street
>         11-Evergreen and Harpen
>         27-28-lines, Bell and Woodkirk unused or recently removed.
>         32-W.-Carson and Smithfield, Also::
>                 South end Smithfield St. bridge.
>         Overbrook--Frederick Street
>         Castle Shannon, Main line - 2, one removed in the 1950s
>         Library--Mesta
>         38-line between McFarland and Biltmore
>         56-line Mifflin near Riverton, remained to the end.
>         56-line at Muldowney for 65 line usage.
>         56-line on 5th near Sinclair, McKeesport, unsused or
>                 recently removed.
>         63-55-lines on Braddock for 63 to change ends.
>         68-line, Kennywood and far side of bridge outbound of Kennywood.
>         78-line, Park and Laketon
>         81-line, Atwood near Forbes
>         99-line, Evans near 5th, McKeesport.
> 
> NO  X-Overs downtown Pittsburgh
> NO  X-Overs near North Side.
> 
>         **Probably**  a few more crossovers in 1920--1930.
> 
>         Contrast that to San Francisco today with 3-X-Overs or more on most
> lines!
> 
> --
> James B. Holland