[PRCo] Re: Vicinal's PCC

[Phillip Clark Campbell]

> ----- Original Message ----

> From: John Swindler <j_swindler at hotmail.com>
> To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 9:17:33 AM
> Subject: [PRCo] Re: Vicinal's PCC
> 
> Besides the coastal line, the tiny bit that remains of the Vicinal also includes 
> four lines in Charleroi.  Charleroi is a good lesson on what not to do.  A ton 
> of money was wasted.
> 
> http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MetroCharleroi.jpg
> 
> 
> 
> There are also some websites with pix of the almost completed, but unopened 
> sections of the Charleroi attempt to upgrade the Vicinal network to light rail.  
> Somewhat along the lines of the Cincinnati subway, except that rail and catenary 
> had been installed.  Suspecting that the politicians in the Wallon area got 
> jealous of the Flemish politicians in Antwerp.  The decline of the steel 
> industry base didn't help.  A lot of similarities to Pittsburgh.
> 
> Cheers
> 
> John


Mr.Swindler;


Could you please indicate the failures in the Vicinal system?  I know 'of' it but
nothing about it.  According to many / most Americans everything and or anything
European is perfect isn't it.

I do remember seeing a video on the Vicinal system decades ago;  it was a ride on
board.  I enjoyed the ride but the system left me feeling 'depressed;'  some claimed
it was not unlike our Charleroi system in Pittsburgh and maybe that aspect caused
the depression  -  I think of the Pittsburgh system as far more pleasant and didn't
enjoy this comparison.  As I recall, very few boarded the car;  additionally, there was
relatively nothing visible in the way of life along the line beyond a few trees.  After
viewing the video I thought I should eliminate this from 'my places to see.'  Maybe
the video was produced by anti-transit people.


Phil