[PRCo] Re: Shoulda, Coulda, would

[John Swindler]

Far too often board of directors tend to be not much more then a collection of 'empty suits'.  Just ask David Gunn.   For the most part, they are beholden to the politicans that appointed them to the board.  And doesn't seem to matter too much whether public or private.  
 
Harley Swift was the initial Executive Director.  He was an ATE guy from Harrisburg Railways, but he did favor retention of some rail lines.  He had PAT contract with Gorden Thompson for a study on available rail rights of way in the Pittsburgh district that could be used for rapid transit.  The write-up on the Harmony line is .......  rather sickening.  It was, for most part, all there.  That was a real  'shoulda, coulda, would....'
 
Swift was succeeded by John Dameron from St. Louis.  There is a story that he met privately with a judge on the initial PAT board, and the rest is history.  This was from either Tennyson or Grant McCoy.  Dameron presided over the conversion of most of the rail system, but it was going to happen anyway.  The private rights of way just weren't there.  
 
The question no one seems to want to ask is why did PRC rail lines last as long as they did.  Check out the PUC decision for the west end rail lines.  Essentually the highway department made PRC an offer they could not refuse.  Railfans tend to ignore all the small municipalities in Allegheny County with street trackage.
 
Just an opinion.
 
John
> From: mtoytrain at bellsouth.net> To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org> Subject: [PRCo] Shoulda, Coulda, would> Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:39:17 +0000> > If in fact there were people with a mind for Rail Transit on the initial PAT board of directors like some> of you good men, what would the PAT PRCo be like today as far as street car lines, what would or> should have been kept, a streetcar line to Oakland, Wilkensburg, North Hills or to the West End? With the gas costs so high today, would in fact modern street cars have been less expensive to operate, just was> wondering what should, coulda or would have happened if the right people were in charge.> Your comments are appreciated. > --> From the RIVER CITY by the Sea! > Jerry "Matt" Matsick > J A C K S O N V I L L E, Florida ! > 
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