[PRCo] More Theories I Have Heard & Read

[Ken & Tracie]

Below are some interesting opinions and theories. I do not admit to either agreeing
nor disagreeing with them. I just wish to illustrate the NCL-conspiracy crowd isn't
the only group out there.

1.) The Cold War killed the streetcar in D.C...the capitol of the leading world super
power could not have "obsolete trolleys" and tracks in their streets....(yes, we all
know about Georgetown.)

2.) Milwaukee killed some profitable inner sections of their interurban system due to
both anti-trust actions by the Feds (probably quietly welcomed by management) and the
fact that the parent power company wanted the rails and transit operations off their
rights of way.

3.) Chicago was going to keep ten to fifteen heavily traveled routes until the PCCs
were life expired, but became discouraged by increased street congestion.

4.) The TTC streetcar system was doomed to gradual replacement until the late 1970s,
when the decision to retain the majority of the rail system was made. The trolley
coach network was lost only because one particular manager didn't like them and he was
the boss when the fleet became life expired.

5.) Houston, Texas gave up streetcars because it looked bad for a major city in an oil
producing state to have electric transit (I have to admit, I do snicker about this
one!)

6.) Chicago gave up trolley coaches because (take your pick) a.) the money wasn't
there to renew the fleet, b.) the money wasn't there to renew the infrastructure, or
c.) George Krambles got tired of having to suspend service or substitute diesels on
routes with frequently flooded railroad underpasses.

7.) Many smaller and medium size Canadian cities abandoned trolley coaches because a.)
they couldn't afford renewal because there was not a big Chicago order to "coat tail"
on, or b.) there was a deadline to abandon or comply with new environmental
regulations forcing remaining systems to remain indefinitely. Notice that Hamilton and
Toronto motorized during the 1990s and that Edmonton's system may be replaced with CNG
or diesels after 2007.

8.) Detroit was pressured to abandon streetcars and trolley coaches because the "auto
capitol of the world" shouldn't have electric transit (see Houston....hee, hee!)

9.) SEPTA continued to abandon lines so they would have money to meet union pay and
benefit demands.

10.) MBTA was pressured to abandon the Watertown line permanently by the same
community that is siding with Cambridge to keep trackless trolleys in the same area
(figure that one out!) Other line segments MBTA is trying to abandon is due to
sinister reasons withheld  from the riding public.

11.) Anti-streetcar sentiment made a good political issue for local office seekers,
conditioning Pittsburgh citizens to hate streetcars. (Ah, back on topic!)

As noted at the beginning of the above listing, these are things I have heard and
read. I do not necessarily believe some of them, but they are rather interesting, to
say the least! :-)

K.