[PRCo] Other surviving car houses. And furthermore...

[robert netzlof]

A few days ago, I said:

"4. Indiana. Wayne Avenue, just north of and across
the
street from Kovalchik's yard. ...was built by the
Indiana Street Railway."

I should have said:

"...the Indiana >County< Street Railway..."

I also said:

"Since Indiana is probably getting pretty far afield
for a 'Burgh-centric group, I'll refrain from
mentioning the old car barn in DuBois."

But Derrick said:

"DuBois is in western PA last I checked, so have at
it"

To which I say:

Given the attitude of most DuBoisians, DuBois is not
in western PA, western PA is that area fortunate
enough to be near DuBois. But I digress...

Assume you are driving into DuBois from the south, on
US219. Once into the populated area you encounter a
traffic light. After passing over the B&P (ex-CSX,
exx-B&O, exxx-BR&P) tracks, you will come to 4 more
traffic lights (total 5). That 5th light marks the end
of the 3-lane Brady St., the beginning of the new
improved 5-lane Liberty Boulevard.

On your left there is an expanse of park land, ahead
and to your left a rather large turquiose and white
building. The ridge of the grey roof runs
perdendicular to the street. The wall facing you is
garage doors end to end, nothing but doors.

Under the sexy metal sheathing is the original power
house and car barn of the United Traction Company. 
Decades of landscaping and 3 or more bouts of street
imrovement have eliminated any trace of the tracks. I
believe the tracks entered the barn through the end
facing the street, now a blank wall. Spiffy though the
area now appears, it was not so long ago that the
area, known officially as "Beaver Meadow", was called
"that swamp in the middle of town" by visitors.

Penna. Electric Co. bought the traction company.
Penelec later became/was absorbed by GPU who use the
building and grounds for a substation, maintenance
shop and storage, garage, and offices. The office wing
sitting parallel to the street was added after the
traction co. folded.

There is also in Punxsutawney a survivor of the
Jefferson Traction Co., but I'm going to have to check
a reference before I blather about that one.

 





=====
Bob Netzlof a/k/a Sweet Old Bob


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