[PRCo] Re: First outing for Rio 1758

[Dennis F Cramer]

Decisions are made by the Board of Directors of PTM as to whether a cosmetic 
or complete restoration is to be done to a car.  The museum needs cars to 
operate a demonstration railway.  As of this moment, these cars are 
available to the Operations Department on a day to day basis:

PWCT 78, PST 66, PTC 5326 all double ended cars
PTC 2711, PRCo 1711 single ended PCC's

4398 has not been released and has only been used on special occasions and 
even then on a limited basis.

4004 (PCC) is in the back position of the shop as there is no where else to 
put it.   Both it and 1711 are really not ideal for hot weather.  I know 
people rode them everyday to work, but a casual visitor is not happy with 
that heat.

We have to put certain cars through a complete restoration so we can rotate 
the usage.  5326 is well worn.  3756 is beyond well worn.  832 will be back 
soon, but we always have to be prepared if something happens to any cars in 
the fleet and things do happen, either by accident or machine failure.  14 
is a prime example, a complete restoration was done, but mechanical failure 
has made it inoperable.

As with all museums, it comes down to money.  PTM is lucky to have several 
benefactors and a great group of dedicated volunteers.  Volunteer hours last 
year equaled about 26 fulltime employees.  That is not too shabby.

Our typical visitor is a mom with the kids (or grandpa with the grandkids) 
looking for something to do.  Most of them do not even realize there is a 
light rail system in Pittsburgh!


          Dennis F. Cramer
http://home.windstream.net/dfc1