[PRCo] Re: Crossovers

[Jim Holland]

> Fred W. Schneider III wrote:

> 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?

	FRED::	Think you might be missing the point of our discoveries.  Seems
that the vast majority of X-Overs (of which there weren't many) were for
regularly scheduled terminals for double-ended equipment.
	This particular one which Tom inquires about is on W.-Liberty just
inbound of the 42-wye.  The 42-wye connected to the 38-line in
2-different places:::::::
	1)--McFarland Road for the 42/38--owl
	2)--leg of the wye.

	In the latter case, an inbound 42-car could turn onto the outbound
38-line and be heading the wrong direction on the outbound track.  The
X-Over is needed to get the car back on the right track.

>> tsquare at toad.net wrote:

>> 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

>>> Jim Holland wrote:::::::

>>>         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