[PRCo] Re: Pittsburgh Railways Motorwoman story

[Bob Rathke]

I have an old article from the Pittsburgh Press that featured the training 
device and includes a photo.  I'll have to dig out the article - I think it 
ran around 1960, but I'll confirm that.

Bob 7/29/06

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <hrbran99 at adelphia.net>
To: <pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org>
Cc: "Matt Barry" <mrb190+ at pitt.edu>
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2006 10:44 PM
Subject: [PRCo] Re: Pittsburgh Railways Motorwoman story


> Someone should inform the youngster who wrote the article that streetcar 
> operators (that's operator, not driver) do not need a state issued driving 
> license. The streetcar runs on private property, even in the middle of the 
> street! No license required. Was not required when I operated them in the 
> 1970s.
>
> The "coordination test" with the "flashing lights, etc" was still in use 
> in 1972 when I when through training. The device took up most of the small 
> room where it was located at Craft Avenue Car House. (Craft Avenue was no 
> longer an active station in 1972, however was used as "home base" for 
> student operators during the training period.) Each of us in the training 
> class took our turn at this thing. You were seated in an operators seat 
> with streetcar hand controls (power and brake levers) and what looked like 
> a bus brake pedal and a streetcar gong button, both on the floor. There 
> were several large colored lights on a panel in front of you. When the 
> lights showed certain patterns you were required to flip levers, push 
> pedals, and ring the gong in a few seconds time and in the correct order.
>
> All of us though we failed, because it was nearly impossible to do the 
> stunt with no practice and with only being told once what you were to do. 
> However, all of us passed. I personally could see no practical purpose for 
> this device, except that it could be an 'excuse' to not take someone in 
> the training class.
>
> I had forgot about that electrical/mechanical monster until I read the 
> article on Irene Boone.
> --
> HrB
>
> ---- Matt Barry <mrb190+ at pitt.edu> wrote:
>> http://www.gazette.com/display.php?id=1312541&secid=1
>>
>>
>
>