[PRCo] Re: Restored Signals

[Bob Dietrich]

People, especially kids, are fascinated by the working signals on the South
Hills Junction module.  The kids watch and note that the cars go when the
signal goes green.  Most larger people usually make some comment like "look
the signals work... Cute!"  



-----Original Message-----
From: pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org
[mailto:pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org] On Behalf Of John
Swindler
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2007 4:27 PM
To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
Subject: [PRCo] Re: Restored Signals



Within about 15 miles of Williamsburg, England founded a colony (it wasn't 
Great Britain then), ruled a colony, and lost a colony.  But your right, 
Fred, most people don't know, nor care.

The capital building isn't the only recreation.  And it serves a 
interpretation purpose.  But again, I would be preaching to the choir about 
dealing with "purists".

And then there was the day I toured the Navy ship "Comte de Grasse" in 
Norfolk - but we won't get into that history lesson.

Back to PTM.  On several occasions, I've pointed out to kids to watch the 
signals at fairgrounds and Arden.  It's an activity for them - to watch the 
signal change.  Just can't do that easily with full car.

John



>From: Fred Schneider <fwschneider at comcast.net>
>Reply-To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
>To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
>Subject: [PRCo] Re: Restored Signals
>Date: Wed, 9 May 2007 15:42:24 -0400
>
>Don't get me started on the subject of displaying our toys to the
>public without bothering to interpret them, Ken.    You are touching
>on a sore spot.   I.R.M. also has a signal garden and a sign
>garden.   I would much rather find a way to have a 1915 town where
>you could walk through someone's home and see how they eat and see
>the corner grocery store where they shopped and observe that they had
>an ice box and an ice man and no refrigerator and then put the
>vaudeville show in the theater or perhaps actors putting on the
>Sunday School picnic.   Railway Museums (and a lot of other
>museums ... sign museums, bottle cap museums, presidents homes, you
>name it) tend to take their subject and toys out of context and then
>they wonder why the public doesn't understand.
>
>One of our best museums is Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia.   I think
>that when my parents went there on their honeymoon in 1935 most young
>people had a basic understanding that the Rockefellers were
>recreating the colonial capital of the British colony of Viriginia in
>the new world.    Read again what I said ... British ... English ...
>before the American revolution ... prior to 1776.   The capitol
>building was reconstruction of the colonial capitol, a building owned
>by the English.   The Governor's Palace was the home of the Governor
>of the colony of Virginia ... it was also English.   Today, because
>we as nation understand so damned little history, I doubt that one in
>ten visitors even understands that we were British at one time and
>that they are seeing a town that represents our British history.
>Furthermore, because there are one or two buildings still not owned
>by the foundation, it is a city in its own right and they cannot
>close off the streets and force the visitors to go through a gate and
>see a video first so they understand.   The result?   The people
>come.   Look for a morning.   Don't understand.   Get bored.   Ask
>stupid questions like, "Where did the Pilgrims land?"  Then go off
>and ride the roller coaster at Busch Gardens or buy trinkets at the
>Pottery Shop.
>
>The trolley museums?   I don't know that they do any better Ken.
>At PTM, when the Nachods (and it is frequent) are not working and I
>have permission to go through a red head block, I have never once had
>a passenger scream that I went through a red signal.   Tells you just
>how observant they are.    Maybe I should tell them first?
>
>fws
>
>On May 9, 2007, at 1:34 PM, Ken & Tracie wrote:
>
> > Now I got what you mean, Fred.
> >
> > Maybe they should just do a "signal garden" like O.E.R.M.
> >
> > K.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Fred Schneider" <fwschneider at comcast.net>
> > To: <pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org>
> > Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2007 8:53 AM
> > Subject: [PRCo] Re: Restored Signals
> >
> >
> >> Let me ask you what happens if two cars from opposite ends of the
> >> block try to occupy the single track at the same time?    What signal
> >> aspect do they get?   And how do they resolve it?   If you don't tell
> >> the crews, they don't know what to do.   It isn't simply red and
> >> green.
> >>
> >> What is a spacing signal?   What is an absolute block signal?   Etc.
> >> Etc. Etc.
> >>
> >> Of course, we won't have spacing signals because we have no double
> >> track.
> >>
> >> On May 9, 2007, at 11:37 AM, Ken & Tracie wrote:
> >>
> >>>
> >>>> Only a few of us who knew Pittsburgh
> >>>> Railways would understand how to use them anyway.   He'll have to
> >>>> create a new rule book before County Home siding can be placed in
> >>>> service.
> >>>
> >>> I'm confused by the above statement. Please elaborate. In my
> >>> admitted
> >>> ignorance, I would figure these signals would be used the same way
> >>> as they
> >>> would on any other property.
> >>>
> >>> BTW, Fred...Tracie would like to meet up with both you and your
> >>> wife in Utah
> >>> this coming summer. Please e-mail me off list.
> >>>
> >>> K.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>

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