[PRCo] 2003 Western Pa calendar

[Fredbruhn at aol.com]

We hope the USPS has delivered Jim Holland's Trolley Fare by now so he can 
order the super calendar for 2003.  Our thanks once again to Ed Lybarger for 
putting it together and Bob Rathke's photo skills.  The December shot is a 
gem and a reminder how much we miss the red and cream cars.  Hard to believe 
1697 in Brookline looked that good near the end of service.

Of special note is the July photo.  The Wellsburg and Bethany line was 
something.
Route 67 from Wellsburg to Bethany had not changed much the last time I drove 
it, and looked much as it did in this post card view.  For you concrete pier 
enthusiasts
there are piers remaining just outside Bethany that look about like the high 
bridge piers outside Brownsville from the West Penn.  The height is the about 
the same but I think the W&B trestle was a bit shorter.  If you run right out 
to find them, they are on the right hand side of Rt. 67 going towards Bethany 
on a sharp 180 degree curve just before the intersection of Rt. 88.  They are 
visible after the leaves have fallen.  

While your there, run on down to Wellsburg where the Buffalo Creek dumps into 
the Ohio and the road crossing of W.Va. State Route 2 at Route 67.  Just 
beside the highway bridge that carries Rt. 2 over the creek is a set of piers 
remaining from the Wheeling Traction Co, a West Penn facility until 1932-33.  
The line remained in operation as Panhandle Traction a few years after that.  
In the late 50's and early 60's when I attended Bethany College there was 
also some short pieces of street track in the North end of Wellsburg.  Things 
change slowly in W.Va. but I suspect even that track is gone by now.  

Back on subject, I hear that the PRCo. Jones low floor single end cars from 
St. Pete, available through Jim Holland are fantastic.  Standee straps, 
globes, rattan seats, everything is included inside and from outside it just 
ooozes Pittsburgh.  Only thing missing is the dirt and soot.  If you were to 
get only one PRCo. car from them it would be a tough choice between a 1700 
and a low floor car.  Best way to satisfy yourself is to get both.  Jim has 
mentioned that a 1600 and the 1600 class may be produced, then other PCC 
classes, an interurban and possibly a double end low floor car.  Wow, that is 
saying a lot.

the other Fred