[PRCo] Re: Pittsburgh Railways Motorwoman story

[hrbran99 at adelphia.net]

OK, I promise I will send some 'memories' into cyberspace for you. Probably Thursday or Friday. Off work Thursday w/ Personal Day and my birthday Friday plus Sat/Sun makes a mini-vacation to get some things done without R.T.A. taking up the bulk of each day.
--
HrB

---- Matt Barry <mrb190 at pitt.edu> wrote: 
> 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
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > 
> 
> 
>