[PRCo] Re: Fw: comparison with Cleveland

[Ken & Tracie]

Okay, Harold, I'll share some Milwaukee pix, probably tomorrow.
To be fair to PRCo., the operating environment placed the cars in what I 
believe (just my personal opinion) was the absolutely most intense operating 
environment of any major North American traction system. The hills, harsh 
winters, crushing loads at shift changes, narrow streets, rough trackage and 
early PAT era neglect. I do not believe any North American streetcars, 
especially the 1600s and 1700s during the final halves of their 
exceptionally long service lives, saw as much mechanical abuse.

With limited funds and C.D. Palmer's engineering background, I can 
understand why money may have been used to keep the cars running rather than 
for cosmetics. Not good for public relations, but an absolute must 
considering the congested streets and steep grades.

Most original PAT management team members didn't think the remaining car 
lines were going to last beyond 1969-70.

Mark shared an absolutely heart breaking view of interurban car 1619 
(attached link.)

Harold, I want to thank you again for your part in saving, refurbishing and 
sustaining the remaining air-electric PCCs for us "youngsters" to enjoy.

While the 1700s have become a sort of symbol of PRCo/PAT, the older body 
style of the 1600s is (to me) the classic PCC body design.

K. 


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