[PRCo] Re: So you can't get to Pittsburgh?

[Jim Holland]

Good Morning!


> Fred Schneider wrote:

> Open note to Mark:

> If you are worried about when PAT will open, plan a
> visit a year later.    Pittsburgh isn't the only place
> with new light rail transit.


	But Pgh. is Home and for that reason it is #1 for me.   
Actually, have Not ridden the current lrv and  *Never*  would be
too soon for me, but the rebuilt Overbrook has definite interest
Specifically Because of the History behind it.    Additionally, 
({[pat]})  didn't want to rebuild it and denied its value but a
significant cut in running time over the current 42/38-line
(sorry, don't know current route numbers  AND  am not interested
in knowing same!)  should be the result and will probably cause a
realignment of schedule Not Unlike the old PRCo system because it
would be more functional.

	Mainline to both Library and SHV should be via Overbrook  -- 
who would want to ride the 42/38-line to SHV except those people
living on that line?!


> From what I could see this past weekend, the rebuilt
> valley line in Pittsburgh is being fenced so it cannot
> be photographed.    Even the sides of the McKinley Park
> bridge are fenced (as if some one is going to throw a
> rock at a car 100 feet in the air).


	The fence is more to protect anyone on the trestle than the cars
from rocks below the trestle!

	From pg.5 (very last full-paragraph) of  *Electric__Railroads* 
#20  July--1952, I quote:::::::

	"""The end of 1908 saw the new stretch of road practically
complete, but new substations at Washington Jct. and Canonsburg
were not ready, so the first through car could not operate until 
*February__15,__1909.*    The new route was truly a high-speed
electric line, the greater portion being  *fenced___P/R/W* 
requiring grading or filling almost its entire length......."""

	Believe fencing is a regulation // requirement that once
installed is rarely maintained and not enforced until something
happens!:)


> 1.  Portland's north line ....
>	 a great system and a great city. 
>		 Truly worth the visit.


	Fantastic Rail System and City  --  only one in U.S.A. other
than Pgh. that I care to visit  --  *may*  be up that way early
2004.


> 2.  Sacramento's south extension just opened on Friday.


	DON'T   EVEN   STAND   NEAR   THE   PRW  as operators will call
in a trespass report.    Don't like the system here  --  bare
bones, rough equipment, weird alignment to routes.    Do  NOT 
feel safe on the system.    Very seedy passengers.


>  The new [SF-Muni] Breda cars are worth riding,


	But Don't Sit Down if you are tall  --  might break a leg
getting into the seat.


> 5.  The Gold line from Los Angeles to Pasadena opened this summer.


	Have relatives on 3-sides of LA  --  think I have seen the Long
Beach line, but haven't ridden anything.    No plans so to do.


> 8.  Calgary is working on an extension of the north line.
>  A great liveable city.  I can't say enough good about
> it (unless you don't like cold in the winter). 
> (Biased opinion ... far nicer than Edmonton to its north.)
>  Chinese food everywhere.


	Calgary rail system is superb  --  a little too far to travel to
and appreciate.    Saw it in 1988  --  true  *System*  right from
the start.

	Calgary is a young and modern town  --  Edmonton is old but has
charm and character.    Like both.    Rail in Edmonton is a token
installment  --  historic rail is definitely worth a visit.


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Waiting for a bus is as thrilling as fishing,
    with the similar tantalisation that something,
        sometime, somehow, will turn up. 
            George Courtauld

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James B. Holland

• Holland  Electric  Railway  Operation....... 
  "O"--Scale St.-Petersburg Trams Company (SPTC)
	Trolleycars and "O"--Scale  Parts
		including Q-Car
	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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