[PRCo] Re: Rt 56 ROW

[Dwight Long]

Herb

Probably just an oversimplification.  The statement was about 95% correct.

Dwight

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Herb Brannon 
  To: pittsburgh-railways at dementix.org 
  Sent: Tuesday, 09 August, 2011 06:20
  Subject: [PRCo] Re: Rt 56 ROW


  I guess CD Palmer didn't know his own company then.
  On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 00:12, Dwight Long <dwightlong at verizon.net> wrote:

  >
  > Herb
  >
  > In 1951 PRC did NOT have sufficient PCCs to fill all the schedules.
  > Furthermore, PCCs could not fill all the schedules even had their been
  > sufficient numbers of them to do so, as there were still routes then which
  > required double end cars.  The latter situation was not changed until the
  > end of 1953 and Jones cars were still required as rush hour supplements
  > until 1954.
  >
  > Dwight
  >
  > ----- Original Message -----
  > From: "Herb Brannon" <hrbran at cavtel.net>
  > To: <pittsburgh-railways at dementix.org>
  > Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 9:53 PM
  > Subject: [PRCo] Re: Rt 56 ROW
  >
  >
  > > Both interesting and noteworthy are the comments of C. D. Palmer, PRCo
  > > President 1951-1964, given in a 1969 interview,
  > > "*The principal reason for substitution of buses for trolleys was the
  > high
  > > track investment....throughout the entire reorganization and receivership
  > > period, large sums were expended in construction of track and purchase of
  > > cars. For example, the trustees in the 77-B proceeding, who operated the
  > > property between 1938 and 1951, purchased PCC cars and carried on a
  > > considerable program of track construction. They considered it their
  > duty,
  > > and no one with any responsibility objected, to maintain and preserve the
  > > property in their possession pending reorganization of the system.
  > > Additionally, it was the belief of the trustees and the management that
  > > better service could be provided the Allegheny County community by means
  > > of
  > > trolleys than would be the case by substituting buses. The company and
  > the
  > > trustees used the bus for feeder service, in substitution for trolley
  > > service where it was economically indicated, and for express service.
  > > Thus,
  > > by 1951, Pittsburgh Railways, with sufficient PCC cars to fill all the
  > > schedules, had the benefit of a modernized system with track generally in
  > > a
  > > good state of repair.*"
  > >
  > > From 1960 to the PATransit takeover on March 1, 1964, Palmer said of that
  > > period of time,
  > >
  > > ".*.....the management of the Railways operated in a normal, businesslike
  > > manner and applied normal maintenance to its' property. However, we did
  > > scrutinize capital expenditures rather carefully......*"
  > >
  > > Comments?
  > >
  > >
  > >
  > >
  > >
  > >
  > > On Mon, Aug 8, 2011 at 20:17, Phillip Clark Campbell
  > > <pcc_sr at yahoo.com>wrote:
  > >
  > >> Mr.Lybarger;
  > >>
  > >> Did this happen to the PRC, a private company?  I understand
  > >> public authorities like Pat being subsidized but not the private
  > >> companies.  Could you please explain?
  > >>
  > >> Your comments and Mr.Swindler's tend to dispel the idea that
  > >> PRC was anxious to replace light rail lines if one may use that
  > >> term for that time period--maybe light ridership rail lines is more
  > >> appropriate isn't it.
  > >>
  > >>
  > >> Phil
  > >>
  > >>
  > >>
  > >>
  > >>
  > >> >________________________________
  > >> >From: Edward H. Lybarger <trams2 at comcast.net>
  > >> >To: pittsburgh-railways at dementix.org
  > >> >Sent: Monday, August 8, 2011 3:09 PM
  > >> >Subject: [PRCo] Re: Rt 56 ROW
  > >> >
  > >> >Also never overlook the fact that they couldn't easily afford to buy
  > the
  > >> >replacement buses on their own...it always seemed to require some help
  > >> from
  > >> >someone -- usually you and me via the PA Department of Highways.
  > >> >
  > >> >Ed
  > >> >
  > >>
  > >>
  > >
  > >
  > > --
  > > Herb Brannon
  > > In Cuyahoga Valley National Park
  > >
  > >
  > >
  >
  >
  >


  -- 
  Herb Brannon
  In Cuyahoga Valley National Park