[PRCo] Re: Belgian block

[Fred Schneider]

Damn.  A chap throwing those around all day would look like Popeye after a can of spinach!   I think I would like to see a wrestling match between a block tosser and a San Francisco gripman.  My favorite gripman was the one who, for show, worked the levers from the side, i.e. moving them from right
to left instead of tugging on them.  After watching him for one trip I knew I didn't want to argue with that chap in a bar after work.

Bob Rathke wrote:

> To answer Fred's question: a Belgian block (at least one of the ones I have) weighs exactly 27.5 lbs.
> I also checked a few photos that I took along Second Ave. in 1964, and I see:
>
> - Ross St. to the 10th St. Bridge - Belgian blocks between the rails, but a random mixture of paving types for the street between the rails and the curbs - some sections had brick paving and others had concrete; and in some segments, Belgian blocks were used for the (18"?) ROW outside the rail.
>
> - 10th St. Bridge southeast to at least Laughlin Jct. (B&O RR) - all of this segment appears to be rather new concrete.
>
> - Glenwood Car Barn to the Glenwood Bridge - Belgian blocks between the rails, and concrete or asphalt between the rails and the curbs.
>
> Bob 12/30/04