[PRCo] Re: 1948 1.>--Allegheny__County__Fair__Service 2.>--Radio__Telephones 3.>--Track__Renewal 4.>--New__Bridge

[Shirley Tennyson]

   Yes, I was there, but it was not a one-minute headway/ It was 90
seconds but still, it was a tremendous undertaking.     When the
Commercial Department estimated they would need a 90 second headway, the
Operating Departent told them to sober up. No way would that many people
show up and no way could such a service be operated.  Tom Fitzgerald
told them they both worked for the same Company and they had to forge
agreement.  Commercial Department won.  The substations had their
circuit breakers tied down to prevent power interruption with a man on
duty to pull the plug if things got too hot.  Because of no signals,
they posted Route Foremen at blind curves.
   At Mesta Stop. they erected  a fence to make a cattle pen for off-car
fare collection.  to speed loading. Buses  had to be used to reach the
Park and fair. 
   It all went off without any hitch that I can remember. They did need
the 90 second headway. With a 90 minute round trip, if not 100 minutes
without signals, it needed 60 cars.  They had to borrow cars from all
over the system.  I lived nearby and worked for P.Ry.Co. 
                  E d   T e n n y s o n