[PRCo] Re: Narrow Bridge, Kaufmann-5th Ave reroute

Sun Apr 26 17:30:21 EDT 2009

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

> From: John Swindler <j_swindler at hotmail.com>
> To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> Sent: Sunday, April 26, 2009 12:40:07 PM
> Subject: [PRCo] Re: Narrow Bridge.
> 
> Hi Phil
> 
> Not finding the trolley wire was a curiousity, finding that tank in the 
> background might be the key.  I've looked at the Pittsburgh bridges site, recent 
> aerial photos, and some additional maps on the Pittsburgh history website, but 
> so far, no luck.  Maybe will see what Penn pilot might have.
>  
> Cheers
> 
> John
> 
> 
Mr.Swindler;

Please don't spend your time on this item;  location is a curiosity for myself.
The fact that this bridge existed which carried and carries trolleys is of interest;
construction of the bridge is the most interesting part personally.  Was this a
trolley only bridge at construction and later converted for other vehicles?
The brick paving would seem to rule against that.

There are a number of reroute possibilities around the construction on 5th
between Grant and Smithfield.

1-)--Inbound 5th cars could turn to Forbes at Seneca to loop Diamond,
4th, Forbes to Gist and then 5th.  This leaves a long portion of 5th
not served.  Wylie cars  (82 and 85)  not able to use this routing are they.

2-)--A variation for above is for OB cars to turn IB from 4th, Ross,
Diamond, Grant, 5th OB and normal route.

3-)--A shorter option is for IB 5th Ave cars to use Forbes to Grant
then immediately turn OB to 5th.

4-)--Both Wylie and 5th to 6th, Grant, Liberty, 7th, Penn, 6th, Liberty,
normal route for some cars on 6th OB to either Wylie or 5th.
Someone would need to tend the switch from Liberty to Wood.

5-)--Both 5th and Wylie to 6th, Grant, Liberty, 12th, 11th, Grant,
6th to Wylie or 5th.  Need 'tenders' at 11th/Grant and Grant/6th
to align turnouts.

Phil

> > > ----- Original Message ----
> > 
> > > From: John Swindler 
> > > To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> > > Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2009 9:23:54 PM
> > > Subject: [PRCo] Re: More photos
> > > 
> > > Concerning Narrow bridge, yes, except what about that large
> > > cylindrical tank in background???
> > > Can someone else place it???? I can't.
> > > 
> > > And while I can find feeder cables, I can't find the trolley wires
> > > in this picture.. And that looks like a Pittsburgh Railways bus
> > > in background. Could this bridge have had trolley service
> > > abandoned in early 1950s?????
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Cheers
> > > 
> > > John
> > > 
> > Date: Sun, 26 Apr 2009 10:27:38 -0700
> > From: pcc_sr at yahoo.com
> > Subject: [PRCo] Narrow Bridge.
> > To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> > 
> >  
> > Mr.Swindler;
> > 
> > 
> > Trolley wires are most definitely there; I looked for the same thing. I 
> > spotted the contact wire itself first. A span can be seen under the
> > second structural crossmember; the hanger is easily seen over the
> > track on our right but the other one is obscured. The wood strain
> > insulators can also be seen in the span on the outside of the contact wire.
> > 
> > Even far more telling is a PCC going away from us on the right track. I can
> > clearly see the trolley pole base, the trolley cowl, the roof and left side, 
> > and the curved left side back window.
> > 
> > I can still very clearly see the contact wire right in the top foreground of
> > the photo. The contact wire on the left is essentially under the longitudinal
> > structural member thus the 'hidden' hanger; the one on the right is out in
> > the open to the left of the parallel longitudinal structure member.
> > 
> > 
> > Phil
> > 
> > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > > Date: Sat, 25 Apr 2009 21:39:52 -0400
> > > > Subject: [PRCo] Re: More photos
> > > > From: hrbran at cavtel.net
> > > > To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> > > > 
> > > > NARROW BRIDGE looks like the old Brady Street Bridge.
> > > > 
> > > > Kaufmann Construction is between Smithfield and Grant. Fifth Avenue
> > > > cars would most likely have looped downtown the same as the Forbes
> > > > Avenue cars until work was finished.
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > On Sat, Apr 25, 2009 at 6:41 PM, Phillip Clark Campbell
> > > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Quite a few very interesting photos; this could almost be a real estate 
> > > > > diversion couldn't it:
> > > > >
http://tinyurl.com/1601sHighWater - Location?
> > > > >
http://tinyurl.com/StreetFlood-1950 - Location?
> > > > >
http://tinyurl.com/NarrowBridge - Location?
> > > > >
http://tinyurl.com/Courthouse19520404 - Low bridge ahead, bus!
> > > > >
http://tinyurl.com/ForbesFlood-1950 - not a few photos show flooding.
> > > > >
http://tinyurl.com/OaklandFifthToEast - this is an incredibly beautiful 
aerial isn't it -- 1601, 17xx, ten or eleven, and one of those PCCs in the distance!
> > > > >
http://tinyurl.com/5thKaufmannConstruction - How would trolley service be rerouted?
> > > > >
http://tinyurl.com/17xx-71-5thDowntown-1950
> > > > >
http://tinyurl.com/PatBusCrash - Date is wrong by at least 14-years.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Phil