[PRCo] MATA turntable

[Bob Rathke]

I ask the same question - turntable?

MATA has two ex-Toronto PCCs in storage for use on their line when it has
turnaround capability (all current operating trolleys are double ended).  To
accommodate the PCCs at the north (DART subway station) end of the line,
they salvaged an old rail bridge which they plan to use as a turntable to
turn the PCCs.  MATA's informative website - www.mata.org - states, "A spur
goes down the median of Cityplace Blvd., terminating at the west entrance to
DART's Cityplace subway station. A turntable at the end of this spur (to be
installed soon) will be used to turn our single-ended cars around."

When I was on Cityplace Blvd. in October, it looked like there was plenty of
land for a loop, but maybe MATA has only limited right of way available
there, and it's not enough for a loop, so a PCC-length turntable is the
answer.  I agree that a turntable is a more uncoventional and complicated
solution.

Does anyone know more about this?

Former Pittsburgher Pat Bosco is a MATA motorman, but he was not on duty the
day I was there in October.

Bob 1/2/03

-----------------------------
----- Original Message -----
From: John Swindler <j_swindler at hotmail.com>
To: <pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003 4:46 PM
Subject: [PRCo] Re: MATA


>
>
>
> Thank you for the clarification, Bob.  I guess I can't get away with
trying
> to plead a 'senior moment'  - again.
>
> But now have another question.  "Turntable"????????
>
> I don't comprehend.  There's a weight and technology difference between a
> San Francisco cable car/(and horse cars) and a streetcar with heavy
electric
> motors, longer body and overhead wires.
>
> This should be interesting.
>
> John
>
>
>
>
> >From: "Bob Rathke" <bobrathke at attbi.com>
> >Reply-To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> >To: <pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org>
> >Subject: [PRCo] MATA
> >Date: Thu, 2 Jan 2003 16:10:59 -0600
> >
> >
> >I'm told by the folks at MATA that they uncovered and used the original
> >rail
> >on McKinney Avenue when the trolley system was reactivated in the late
80s.
> >However, by the late 1990s the pavement was in pretty bad shape,
especially
> >in the area where most of the restaurants, apartment buildings and stores
> >are located, so a couple of years ago they totally replaced the pavement
> >and
> >rail in that section.  This was a major construction project, and
affected
> >street traffic and trolley service, even shutting it down for a while in
> >early 2000.
> >
> >I was in Dallas in October, 2002 and rode the MATA trolleys on the new
> >extension to the north which ends in the middle of a street near the DART
> >subway station; they plan to install a turntable there which will allow
> >operation of the PCCs.  They also have plans to extend the southern end
of
> >the line on a loop in city streets which are adjacent to the DART surface
> >lines.
> >
> >MATA apparently is now getting assistance from DART, and so the trolley
> >rides are free.
> >
> >Bob 1/3/02
> >
> >-----------------------------
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: John Swindler <j_swindler at hotmail.com>
> >To: <pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org>
> >Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003 1:17 PM
> >Subject: [PRCo] Re: Loop trackage
> >
> >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > A question concerning McKinney Ave. operation.  Is it really the
> >original
> > > rail, or was it found necessary to eventually relay most of the track
on
> > > McKinney Ave.???
> > >
> > > Just trying to recall a comment heard about ten years ago.  (which
means
> > > it's not a primary source anyway, but second or third hand).
> > >
> > > John
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > >From: "Bob Rathke" <bobrathke at attbi.com>
> > > >Reply-To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> > > >To: <pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org>
> > > >Subject: [PRCo] Loop trackage
> > > >Date: Tue, 31 Dec 2002 16:19:00 -0600
> > > >
> > > >The new issue of Trolley Fare states that PTM needs to fabricate rail

> >for
> > > >the loop at the north end of the Museum line.  Did they consider
> >salvaging
> > > >loop trackwork from an abandoned trolley line in Pittsburgh, or were
> >the
> > > >Arden requirements for a larger radius loop?  I suspect that it is
> >easier
> > > >to fabricate a loop - even from old rail -  rather than trying to
> >remove
> > > >and renew an old loop. The Route 5 loop still exists under the
asphalt
> > > >pavement on Spring Hill, and the Route 1 loop may still be in place
> >too.
> > > >
> > > >Trackage for the McKinney Ave. trolley line in Dallas was under the
> > > >pavement for about 30 years before it was put back into service.
> > > >
> > > >Have a Happy New Year!
> >-- Trailing quotes stripped by Listar --
>
>
-- Trailing quotes stripped by Listar --