[PRCo] PRCo__Interurbans

[James B. Holland]

Just received the following from Ed Tennyson who was an PRCo employee in 
the 1940s -- thought the group would be interested.

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I am fairly sure that no old 3700 or 3800 interurban cars ever got 
trolley phones. I think they were installed in mid- 1949 at the same 
time the 1700 interurbans were phased in.

The first winter with 1700s was very uncomfortable.   The heat from the 
motors in interurban service could not keep the cars warm as the dynamic 
brakes were not used enough with fewer stops per mile. They taped up the 
vents on the roof and re-adjusted the heat circuits until they got it 
right. The Washington line used mostly 1600;s with B-3 trucks until 
enough 1700s were delivered and accepted.

Mr. Fitzgerald, the CEO and Trustee of PRCo told me that the 3750s were 
the biggest dumb mistake he ever made. They were sent to Sewickley as 
soon as 3800's were available., The 3750's preceded the US&S block 
signals so the MU feature may have been a safety factor back then when 
business was good and double heading would have been necessary..

The first time I rode a 3750 about 1941 it had a smoking compartment and 
high back green plush seats. They (the seats and smoking compartment) 
disappeared soon after that. I never saw them anymore after World War II.

E d T e n n y s o n