[PRCo] PCCs -- DCT Cincy

[prcopcc at p-r-co.com]

Mr.B:
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While I am attempting to post this on the PRCo list it may not take so 
please forward.
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A while back we saw a photo of 3-wire overhead in Cincinnati where the 
center wire was shared by two different routes on the same track.   This  
'suggested'  polarity reversal in the overhead  (while not mentioned, 
Wash-DC has a similar double contact with the plow and thus could experience 
polarity reversal as well.)  You voiced concerns about this reversal since 
it could affect PCC electrical circuitry, such circuitry which was quite 
uncommon in older equipment  (unfortunately, your comments were 
misinterpreted and a long discussion about reversing field wound motors 
ensued.)  It was mentioned that overhead contactors could activate wayside 
electric relays to properly align overhead polarity but reliability for a 
variety of reasons could be questioned.
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While reading the charts in DeMoro's PCC book, I came across the following 
on pg.182, upper right:
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"""f.---Cincinnati employed a double overhead contact system and Washington 
used an underground conduit system with double contact necessitating 
polarity reversing protection for car circuits."""
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The chart is a condensation of the foldout in PCC Fought Back listing 
'appointments' for each class of PCCs purchased by each operating company.  
I looked for similar information in Fought Back but couldn't find it.
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A piece of trivia I noted is that 10 of the GE cars in the 10 and 11 series 
(5-each) had GE track brakes  --  all others were WAB.  Fought Back lists 
All PRCo PCCs with WAB track brakes; Cox lists 1095--1099 and 1485--1499 
with GE track brakes!!!
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Other trivia - Wash-DC had 1400s reduced from 100 to 65 cars by the war 
powers board  (not unlike PRCo 15s!)  but they numbered their PCCs 
consecutively so the next order picked up where the last left off, 
regardless.
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DeMoro did not footnote the conversion of 1601s for Interurban service with 
B3 trucks in this listing but did so with the SLCCo truck-Orders and Job-#s.
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Jim Holland 

Studying Pittsburgh Railways Company 

....................From 1930 -- 1950 

Pennsylvania Trolley Museum (PTM) 

http://www.pa-trolley.org/ 

N.M.R.A. 

http://www.nmra.org/