[PRCo] Re: Spare trolley poles

[tsquare]

You'll have to forgive me on this one as, per FWS3, memory is
sometimes a fleeting thing -- the following is the best that I
can recall -- so don't bet the farm on it.  Perhaps Art Ellis
can input here:

I don't recall any small tools such as a screwdriver, pliers, etc.
in the Emergency Tool Sets - just sledge hammers or axes, heavy-duty
saws, and pry-bars -- these tools were to be used to extricate the
passengers from the cars in the event of an accident.  In the 3700's
and 3800's, these kits were mounted on the smoking compartment
partition in a glass-faced case about 3' long x 9" high x 3" deep
(my estimate -- time fades the mwmory).  On the 1700's these kits
were mounted on the advertizing line above the standee windows.  There
may have been a set of wrenches in the Emergency Set but I doubt it
as I believe one had to break the glass to get into the Set --
perhaps there were wrenches elsewhere in or on the car to
loosen/tighten the bolts ot the base of the trolley pole.

To complicate the picture somewhat, I vaguely (very Vaguely) recall
that there may have been two such kits on the 1700's -- diagonally
opposite each other in the car.

I don't recall an extra pole on the 3700's 0r 3800's.

Tom

-----Original Message-----
From: pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org
[mailto:pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org]On Behalf Of Bob
Rathke
Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2001 11:40 AM
To: Pittsburgh Trolley List
Subject: [PRCo] Spare trolley poles


A few days ago, there were some mentions on this list about the tool kit and
spare pole on Washington interurban PCCs.
I'll start a new round of commentary on this line:

- How common was the incidence of trolley pole damage, and what type of
damage - a bent pole, a malfunctioning wheel...?

- Was the chance of such damage greater on the interurban line compared to
street lines, or was the spare pole carried simply because of the
remotenesss of the interurban line?

- And that leads to another question: if an interurban PCC suffered pole
damage, was the motorman prepared and able to replace it himself?  Is that
what the tool kit was for?

Bob 10/20/01