[PRCo] Re: Interurban Accidents

[Edward H. Lybarger]

There were a couple notable accidents on PRCo's interurban routes.  Two
3600s collided just OB of South Hills Jct. before that section was
double-tracked (no the improvement had nothing to do with the accident...it
involved a replacement for the Warrington Avenue bridge with its
center-of-the-road-pier), and a pair of 3700s hit head-on in the fog in
early 1943, resulting in the death of one of the motormen.  There may have
been one more cornfield meet involving 3700s (the roster is not here), but
by and large, the operation was pretty reliable.  Few injuries and fewer
deaths occurred.

The same holds true for West Penn.  They had a couple unscheduled meets in
the early years, but ran a pretty safe railroad.  Occasionally they would
run over a drunk sleeping on the tracks or hit a herd of cows, but killed
very few people.  My favorite incident involved a group of people who
chartered a car to go to a political rally.  They managed, in their
enthusiasm, to set off some of the fireworks a bit early, thereby causing a
fire that destroyed the car (and probably their finances after the lawsuit)
and no doubt made them late for the function, as well.

-----Original Message-----
From: pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org
[mailto:pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org]On Behalf Of
mtoytrain at bellsouth.net
Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2005 7:56 PM
To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
Subject: [PRCo] Re: Interurban Accidents


Gentlemen

i enjoyed all the comments to my question concerning fares on interurbans
and basically in the
Pittsburgh area.

My question now is, on the two interurban routes, Charleroi and Washington
in the history of operation of these two routes were there any major
accidents??

While we are at it, on the scenice  bridge oriented West Penn where there
any major accidents.

I enjoy all the comments from everyone and look forward to these!

Jerry Matsick
Jax, Fl