[PRCo] 7--Charles

[Jim Holland]

> Donald Galt wrote:

> Well, gosharootie, if it's service area you are looking for, it's hard to
> justify the 7 as it existed. Except for the outer end loop it was just
> a block from Brighton Road.

	Not only was there a playground along the 9-Transfer, but an huge
cemetary along the west side of the 7-line itself!!
	BUT.......the 7-line might be considered like a short turn 6-line.  In
many cities, the heaviest riding is on the inner portion of the line and
rather than running several 6s the full length of the line, the inner
portion had the option of either the 6- or 7-lines in addition to a
different downtown loop, at least for a while  --  even that was cut
back on the 7-line.  There must have been rather heavy riding on the
inner portion with the 6-7-13-15 on the same throat - 14 was a rush hour
tripper, yes?!  --  at least in PRCo days.
	So the 7-line can be considered a short-turn 6-line.  And logistics
prevented the 7-line from travelling to Perrysville, with the biggest
hindrance being the need for a loop.  Cutting in a turn to go east on
Charles is simple  --  the loop is more difficult and costly.
	In light of all this, it is amazing that the 7-line lasted as long as
it did  --  this further underscores the heavy ridership on the common
throat.

-- 
James B. Holland

        Pittsburgh  Railways  Company  (PRCo),   1930  --  1950
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