[PRCo] Re: Overbrook Line Dedication

[Bob Rathke]

Thianks for the insightful (not inciteful) report, Ed.

Bob 6/1/04

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----- Original Message -----
From: "Edward H. Lybarger" <trams at adelphia.net>
To: <pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2004 3:08 PM
Subject: [PRCo] Overbrook Line Dedication


> I am pleased to report that the Overbrook Line has been officially
> dedicated.  Ceremonies began about 10:30 (a half-hour late) and consisted
of
> the usual speeches about how well politicians work together to speed
> projects like this to benefit the people.  Paul Skoutelas was a wonderful
> emcee...he's a great speaker and is skilled at getting the best out of
> co-workers, whether they be Port Authority employees or politicians or
> vendors or bureaucrats.
>
> The FTA administrator brought along a check for $5+ million for the North
> Shore Connector project...a surprise to Paul.  She also spoke in glowing
> terms about the present administration in Washington, and about how
> committed they were to transit.  The Pennsylvania Secretary of
> Transportation brought nothing but words.  In fairness, he didn't exactly
> take credit for the project, either, which was especially nice since he
was
> a key player in suppressing it for about a decade while he worked at Port
> Authority.  A few of the local politicians are not scholars of the English
> language...I wish I had had a notebook to record some of the malapropisms.
> And the Authority's Board Chairman pronounced the name of the city
> "Picksburg."  They all spoke of how Pittsburgh was a growing, vibrant
place,
> including the Mayor, who is essentially being shown the door politically
> over his mismanagement of city finances and the possible municipal
> bankruptcy.
>
> But all the BS aside, it was a very nice affair that reflected a genuine
> sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.  Bill Millar acknowledged Harold
> Geissenheimer (in the audience) as a great teacher, and spoke of others he
> had worked with at the Authority during his days as Executive Director.
His
> was also a very positive talk on the importance of transit and the high
per
> capita usage in Pittsburgh.
>
> The speeches done, attendees were invited to board the two two-car trains
to
> ride the new line. For those interested in such things, the first train
> consisted of cars 4303 and 4304 (I was on it and don't know the car
numbers
> in the second train...but they have only five CAF cars on the property!)
> The infrastructure is impressive, the roadbed smooth and the cars
basically
> comfortable.  No 50-MPH ride ensued, however, as the train kept stopping
at
> unscheduled points along the line for unapparent reasons.  Also, workmen
> were still out alongside, so full speed would not have been appropriate
> today.
>
> On arrival at Steel Plaza, some folks went back on the next train, while
> others of us ventured across the street to the William Penn Hotel for the
> "free" lunch spoken of with such reverence in yesterday's column.  We
> learned that the banquet chicken was provided by the vendors, not the
> Authority, but the taxpayers are still to be thanked because the cost most
> assuredly was included in those low bids.  Lunch was quite good, and brief
> remarks followed by several of the vendors.  Bill Millar first presented
> Paul Skoutelas with a plaque from APTA in recognition of the event.
Others
> spoke on how nice it was to have done business with Port Authority.
>
> Revenue service begins tomorrow and there will be free rides all day
Sunday
> (38-minute headway) on the Library Line only (renumbered back to 47L).
>
> Ed
RR