[PRCo] Re: More Thoughts on 1600s versus 1700s

[Jim Holland]

Good Morning!

> Fred Schneider wrote:

> I'm wondering if they weren't city 1700s rebuilt with
> swing links (B-2 trucks) instead of the original B-2B
> trucks.  Jim Holland noted that the trucks were rebuilt.

	Don't specifically know that they were rebuilt, but definitely know
that the Super-Soft ride with the Rubber--Spring  mounted bolster
disappeared about 1960.    TTC  4500--4549  also had the B2B.    John
Bromley and I had a discussion about this some time back and John
checked with locals to find that TTC did similar to their cars.

	The  Rubber--Spring  might be considered  One-of-A-Kind  (75-cars
PRCo, 50-cars TTC)  among  566-other cars with Swing-Links.   
Rubber--Springs hardened.

> And I'm wonder if, instead of actually rebuilding B-2B
> trucks, that they didn't just scavenge B-2 trucks off
> 1600s and 1500s being scrapped. 

	At first I thought this might be a very Interesting Possibility  
---   but this mod to the 1700--B2Bs was done about 1960    ----   
Where would the scrapped 1600s come from?    Might be too expensive to
use 15s since they had wheel tread brake shoes and would need to be
converted to air-drums.

	We had a discussion about 1600-series trucks some time back  -- 
possibly OnList.    I noted that 1600-series Original Delivery Trucks
had  Extension--Springs  on the magnetic track brakes while the trucks
that I personally remember under 1600s had compression springs (like
City 17s)  AND  a plate on the tube framing for mounting a Solenoid
Drum Brake Actuator.    Actuator was not there on the 16s, of course,
since they had internal air-drums.    (ALL other PCCs in Pgh. had
Extension-Springs on track brakes, including B3s  --  100, and
1000--1564, 1615--1619, 1645--1648, 1700--1724.)    And the torque arm
was distinctly different on the Original and Replacement 1600-series
B2s.

	Thus the replacement B2s under the 16s were identical to the B2Bs
under the 17s except for bolster mounting and that one was air brakes
while the other was all electric.

	The 1600s were subject to wartime restrictions  --  wonder if trucks
were swapped out after the war when more rubber was available?!

1600--Series__Original__Issue__B2s:::::::

http://davesrailpix.railfan.net/pitts/htm/wvp181.htm

http://davesrailpix.railfan.net/pitts/htm/wvp217.htm

http://davesrailpix.railfan.net/pitts/htm/wvp315.htm

	The PRMA Calendar Photo of a brand new 16 on the switch OB into the
loop on the Trafford line is an excellent photo which shows the
Original Trucks.


1600--Series__Replacement__B2s:::::::

http://davesrailpix.railfan.net/pitts/htm/wvp187.htm - discernable,
but not real clear.


	Can't find better pictures off-hand.    Have some photos but twill
have to wait until I upgrade scanner!

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James B. Holland

Holland  Electric  Railway  Operation....... 
___"O"--Scale St.-Petersburg Trams Company Trolleycars and...
______"O"--Scale  Parts  mailto:pghpcc at pacbell.net

______Pennsylvania Trolley Museum http://www.pa-trolley.org/
___Pittsburgh  Railways  Company  (PRCo),   1930  --  1950
N.M.R.A.  Life member #2190; http://www.nmra.org

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