[PRCo] Re: Pittsburgh 1200 models

[Fred Schneider]

I have a list somewhere ... probably filed away at PTM to get it out  
of here...that listed all the brake variants on Pittsburgh PCC  
cars.   If the 1200s had conventional dynamics and spring-applied air- 
release tread brake shoes, it would have been logical to have some  
very heavy springs to apply those shoes  and use the air to graduate  
the release of the brakes.

I have a recollection that they rewired a lot of cars for extended  
dynamic brakes and they might have done that to 1200s.   That would  
create a whole new ball came, so to speak.   You wouldn't need the  
same force to apply brakes.  Just enough to hold the car.   And you  
wouldn't need to graduate the release because you would not have time  
to do it because the brakes wouldn't come on until you're down to 1 mph.

If Ed can find the page in all the PCC back up crap......

On Apr 3, 2006, at 3:32 AM, Holland Electric Rwy. Op. H.E.R.O. --  
Import SPTC 1.48 Models // James B. Holland wrote:

> One would assume brakes were good upon purchase  --  experience  
> with 10s
> and 11s was probably quite positive but experience with 12s may have
> taught otherwise.       At delivery, 1200 series PCCs wheel tread  
> brake
> shoes were   <Spring__Applied>   Air--Released    ----    opposite of
> the Standard Of The Day!       To release the brakes for a Push / Tow
> job it was necessary to climb partway under the car    ----    that  
> also
> helped to ban the cars on lines with steeper grades.
>