[PRCo] Re: Experimental B3 trucks

[Holland Electric Rwy. Op. H.E.R.O. -- Import SPTC 1.48 Models // James B. Holland]

Quoting from photo caption on pg.132 PCC Car Fought Back  --  """Note 
the spring-applied, air-released tread brakes, used only on Pittsburgh's 
1200s and the New York  'Bluebird'  trains, which replaced a separate 
parking brake."""

 From the photo captions here,  <apparently>  the main difference 
between the First Two Sets of Experimental B3s  (for 1230 and 1278 and 
whatever 12 had them after being shopped)  is that the first set had the 
motors suspended from the upper framing which also held the bolster and 
sat on the spring pots.       The second set also had a double spring 
pot But the motors were supported on separate transoms.       The photo 
shows super resilient wheels.       The top left photo on pg.133 
indicates that Before The Second Prototype  (with separate motor 
transoms but still 2 spring pots)  was delivered it had drum brakes 
installed instead of wheel tread brake shoes.

Continuing on pg.133 the caption for the Upper right photo says:     
"""The third And Final prototype was almost identical to the production 
B3 trucks.       The principal exception was the  carriage of the motor 
transoms on steel instead of rubber springs.       BELOW:       These  
<Two Pairs>  went on PRCo's 1613 and 1614......."""


May we deduce the following???????


Three  (3)  Prototypes:::::::

             +++   Double Spring Pot Each Side
                         Upper Frame Carries
                         Bolster & Motor support
                         Wheel Tread Brake Shoes
                         One  (1)  Set Under 1200s

             +++   Double Spring Pot Each Side
                         Separate Motor Mount
                         Drum Brakes
                         One  (1)  Set Under 1200s

             +++   B3 Nearly Identical to
                         Final Prototype.
                         Two  (2)  Sets, One Each Under
                         1613 and 1614.

Four Sets of Experimental B3 Trucks
             Please See Above.


Because 1225 has wheel tread brake shoes  
http://206.103.49.193/pitts/htm/jfp073.htm  may we deduce that this set 
is The Very First Set of Experimental B3 trucks?

And  <<a>  possible reason>  for 1225 not being listed in the literature 
as sporting the experimental B3 trucks could be as I described below





Holland Electric Rwy. Op. H.E.R.O. -- Import SPTC 1.48 Models // James 
B. Holland wrote:
.

>The books mention 1230 and 1278    ----    because equipment was in short supply during WW2 if the experimentals were pulled from the car For Any Reason they probably just pushed another set of regular trucks under the car and sent it right back out  -- thus we have 1225 with experimentals as it had its trucks removed when the experimentals were ready to go back out.
>
>Believe there were only 4-sets  --  two sets with double spring pots each side under the 1200s and 2-set with single spring pot that went under 1613 and 1614.       Or maybe one of the twelves also had a set with only one spring pot.
>
>
>
>Boris Cefer wrote:
>  
>
>>Is there any reliable list of PCCs which were used for truck tests in Pittsburgh?        Car 1225 was one of them, but the Books do not mention it.
>>
>>Boris
>>
>>http://lists.dementia.org/files/pittsburgh-railways/B-3%20test.jpg
>>
>>
>>
>>Jim__Holland
>>
>>
>>I__Like__Ike.......And__PCCs!!
>>
>>down with pantographs ---- UP___WITH___TROLLEYPOLES!!!!!!!
>>