[PRCo] I was in USA!

[Boris Cefer]

Hello, folks!
Because a brief report from my US trip is more or less expected, I decided to write it as soon as possible after I adapt back to the 6 hour difference between the US east and the Czech Republic. Which has almost happened.

After not a very pleasant flight (almost 10 hours + transfer time in London) I arrived in Philadelphia, where Fred III and Harold Geissenheimer were waiting for me. As Fred had become my tour guide for the first part of my trip (please, accept again my thanks, Fred), we moved to Washington Pa the next day, July 8. Meeting Ed Lybarger and Derrick Brashear, we made a brief evening visit of Pittsburgh. After a dinner at Max on the North Side we went by Ed's Oldsmobile through two long abandoned streetcar lines - 21 Fineview and 40 Mt. Washington. It was really great! I still can't understand that, but almost all the places we went through seemed very familiar to me. Possibly my previous life? :->
The next day we rode all (:-O) PAT light rail lines via Overbrook and Beechview, which didn't make such impression on me like the old lines served by PCCs. But the atmosphere of the Library line with wooden poles and US&S signals is still quite decent. Ah, where are the PCCs?!!!!! The same day afternoon I was given a chance to see both rebuilt PCC cars displayed at Bethel park and South Hills Village. That "no name" PCC at Bethel Park I inspected as much as I was able to do, even taking some photos under the car. From distance it seemed quite nice, but close look showed that PAT and maintenance don't go together.
I might be wrong, but guess that day ended with a steak at Ed's home (thanks, Janice ;-)).
The following three days I spent at Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. (See, Ed, I remember the correct name) It was very interesting to watch all the "Big Move" activities continuing from early morning to late afternoon. I was able to see almost all the trolleys, or at least the rests of some of them. Phila Suburban #14 is really excellent. I understand the problem of money that each trolley museum has to face (even PTM), but I appreciate how carefully the 14 has been restored. A ride on this car was a nice experience (with food provided by Wells' family), especialy for us who are not used to have suburban trolleys.
PRCo 1138 looks nice too, but when I climbed into pit to inspect all its underfloor equipment, I was frightened. I would absolutely not expect such an extensive corrosion aften about 20 years of service only. Also the electric apparatus was not in very good condition. At this point I think that neiter PAT and PRCo maintenance wasn't superior. But some portion of car's wiring was obviously done after its retirement by PRCo. From an European's view I must say that we use to put all wiring more precisely. And also large portions of metal under the floor lacked any paint, there was simply a clean rust. Sorry for the criticism, but each coin has two sides. On the other hand, PRCo 1711 seemed better and what is positive, the car runs. Unfortunately, the circumstances didn't allow me to inspect the 1711 from the pit and I will have to ask some questions to PTM volunteers later, but we found that Elmira crews mounted the left sander in a wrong place, which results in that in sharp curves the left front wheels sometimes hits the sander valve, even with a sudden movement of the seat above it. Also the rubber support spring of the #2 traction motor (original SLCCo truck) is broken. But even there are some things that should be repaired (Not fixed! That word seems to me used tooooo frequently!), 1711 runs very nice and the ride on it was worth it. The car has supposedly 67 % motor field shunting, but a query to PTM people is necessary to verify that. Of course, they will have to open one of the underfloor compartmens containing field shunting contactors.

I remember some speculations on this list that PRCo rebuilt B-2b trucks on city 17 series cars to B-2 tybe. This statement can't be correct, because I found several B-2b trucks with rubber bolster blocks on PTM property. And if PRCo rebuilt cars, then not all.

I got some PCC spare parts, for which I am maximally thankful. Unfortunately, I could not take all the parts home.
My time at PTM was limited, but in spite of this fact I managed to spend some time at Ed Lybarger's museum library, which provided a surprising amount of interesting material and information.

Some material I saw mentioned a difference in balancing speed between (17 & 16 series) and earlier PCC cars. Unfortunately, I have no description of Westinghouse 16 series cars and thus I don't know what the field shunting % is.

In that hurry which went along the big move and my visit at the museum I was not able to pick up names of all the pleasant people I met, but I can list at least some of those who made my presence possible or provided any help: Bernie Orient, Scott Becker, Ed Lybarger, Bruce Wells, Justin Skrbin, Bill Fronczek, .......... Many thanks to all for their jobs!
I left the museum on July 13, late morning, and with Fred III we continued back to Lancaster.

If anybody is interested in how I spent the next days of my trip, just tell me.

And Derrick, please, start sending messages to me again. Thanks.

Boris