[PRCo] Horns__and__Gang__Switches

[James B. Holland]

Bob Rathke wrote:

> I also bought a motorman's dashboard switch panel with labels for the 
> switches - "Fare Reg.," "Gong," "Sander," etc. I think it came from a 
> 1200 PCC, but it also has a label for a "Horn" switch - which 
> low-series PCC had horns? However, I still use it as a (very large) 
> paperweight.
>
> Bob 2/23/05


NONE  of the PCCs used the standard gang switch for the horn.       On 
1700--1724 it was a small button mounted on top of the dash; on 
1613--1619, 1645--1648 it was an actual air horn in PRCo days so an air 
valve was mounted approx. under the transfer stand on the far right.     
  Most of the air horns were in pretty sad shape by the end of PRCo 
days; 16s only saw rush hour service so maintenance on the horns was 
probably a very low priority.       Ultra rare that a motorman ever used 
the horn, even on the 17s.

({[pat]})  overhauled cars all had electric horns and thus 16s retained 
by  ({[pat]})  which had horns  (don't honestly know if any 16s did have 
horns under  ({[pat]}),  even the interurbans)  would use a switch of 
some sort.

Fare Reg on the gang switches would be 1200s; 1100s also had electric 
fare registers originally but these were replaced by the standard hand pull.

I have one of the hand-pull fare registers with Pittsburgh Railways 
emblazoned on it in gold leaf  --  believe I got it from Pat Healy about 
20-years ago.

Also have the PRCo transfer stand, several sets of gang switches, 
voltmeter and air gauge, switch iron, complete 3-pedal PCC foot pedal 
system, reverser, fare box, retriever, catcher, variety of destination 
signs and other misc. paraphernalia I can't remember off hand.

I built a crude set of foot pedals out of piping and used it with my own 
design of Transistor Throttle which beautifully mimicked the 
acceleration of a PCC and braking as well.       REALLY   enjoyed 
operating models this way!!


Jim__Holland