[PRCo] Re: A Change in Scenery, MBTA PCCs, etc.

[John Swindler]

>Fred W. Schneider III commented:
>
>
>It is a little late to find anyone to answer these questions ...
>
>But it might be possible that St. Louis Car had sufficient orders of
>standard PCCs that they didn't need to bother engineering deviants, and
>P-S needed work to stay in business and therefore was willing to spend
>the time and dollars to engineer changes for small lots of cars.  St.
>Louis built the 83 long cars for Chicago in 1936 -- but it was a large
>order and it would be a lot easier to design a lengthened real platform
>than to move everything under the car to fit in a left door.  When
>Pullman built the 20 cars for Boston, St. Louis had a full order book of
>standard PCCs and Pullman had zip.  Note also that Pullman not only
>built the first left door cars but also the first MU cars (I imagine the
>platform framing had to be heavier to accommodate the coupler), and the
>first and second orders of double-end cars.
>


Looks like Pullman-Standard received their first PCC orders in 1939 for 41 
cars for Baltimore and Cincinnati.  Next orders occurred in late 1940 for 
PE's 30 cars, followed in 1941 by 20 for Boston and 133 for Baltimore (if 
math and eyesight ok).  The Boston wartime cars were not built until 1944, 
and would be hard pressed to think of any company with an empty order book 
in that year.  So suspect we were wrong on that account.  Still would not be 
surprised if local politics did not play a hand in directing Boston orders 
to the Pullman plant in nearby Worcester.

By the way, what was the original question????  Because really don't care 
all that much about Boston history.  Enough problems with just the Keystone 
state.

Speaking of history, you wouldn't be interested in copy of PUC decision on 
Columbia and Lititz conversions??

John


>John Swindler wrote:
> >
> > Suspect you just answered why 3001 was scrapped several years before 
>last of
> > the Type 5s were removed from service.  Had nothing to do with 
>manufacturer.
> >   And electrically, MTA/BERy bought both GE and Westinghouse cars.  
>However,
> > 3001 and no left door.
> >
> > Likewise, why subsequent orders from Pullman instead of St. Louis??  
>Keep
> > the plant down the road in Worcester in business.  And that would keep 
>the
> > local politicians happy.
> >
> > As for the MBTA's PCC overhaul programs, you really don't want to know 
>the
> > sordid details (recently received from an engineer assigned to oversee 
>the
> > project).  Could be best characterized as politics, and lack of internal
> > controls.  Cost was over $600,000 for some of the cars (at least that is
> > what the records would show) at time when SEPTA was spending $112,000 
>per
> > GOH car.
> >
> > John
> >
> > >From: ROGERTROLLY at webtv.net (ROGER Jenkins)
> > >Reply-To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> > >To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> > >Subject: [PRCo] Re: A Change in Scenery, MBTA PCCs, etc.
> > >Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 22:16:07 -0700 (PDT)
> > >
> > >
> > >Only car that didn't have a left hand door was the 3001 ,ST LOUIS CAR
> > >CO.diverted from Brooklyn order. All the rest , BUILT BY PULLMAN IN
> > >WORCESTER MASS.had left hand doors , My info on the cars problem and
> > >disposition was derived from personal records that dont seem to jell
> > >with other facts . Your right Greg , they are unique being air cars and
> > >built by Pullman . Pacific Electric DBL enders were also built in
> > >Worcester by Pullman . The first dbl ended PCCs !!
> > >
> > >
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at 
>http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
>


_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp