[PRCo] Re: Pittsburgh Railways Motorwoman story

[Matt Barry]

Ditto from me!   I enjoy reading the memories, especially from someone who 
actually operated the cars.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark McGuire" <macmarka at netzero.net>
To: <pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2006 12:08 AM
Subject: [PRCo] Re: Pittsburgh Railways Motorwoman story


>  So please tell us more about your training, Herb. Or if you wish,
> send me an offlist e-mail. I'd like to know what you went through,
> how long you trained with another motorman, what your first solo run
> was and what car, what cars were used for training, etc. Thanks!
>
>                              Mark
>
> -- <hrbran99 at adelphia.net> wrote:
> 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
>>
>>
>
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