[PRCo] Re: Fineview PCCs

[Phillip Clark Campbell]

Mr.Long,

I don't know how long you have been on this list nor if you read the archives.
The latter is a very tedious job but all of what you mention below has already
been discussed here.  Mr.Schneider should know and remember that as well.

One of the list members mentioned both 1200s and 1700s were banned
from the 40-line by engineers and shop crews.  I do not remember who wrote
this, my apologies; I just remember what was written.  This came to light during
a charter for a RR convention in Pittsburgh.  Those in charge of arranging the
charter wanted a car of every series; this was a very large charter wasn't it!
These people also knew the restrictions on equipment so they went directly to
Mr.Palmer, a personal friend.  He approved all the equipment.  It needs to be
mentioned the focus of this charter was Grandview Avenue.

Brakes on both the 1200s and 1700s apply by spring don't they.  Experience with
the 1200s found them wanting on grades didn't it.  Prc apparently applied that
to the 1700s as well didn't they.  This is 'erring' on the cautious side isn't it but
nothing is lost this way.  Prc is to be commended.  Remember that the 1200s
had drums developed the same time the first St.Louis All-Electrics were 

delivered about 1940.  This is not the post-war All-Electric.


Someone else on this list had information showing the post war All-Electric is a
significant improvement over the previous cars.  It reveals the drums are capable
of stopping and holding an All-Electric on a 15% grade.

After this charter the rules were relaxed and it was more common to see at least
1700s on these routes.

Also note, Mr.Long, Prc assigned only 1763-1769 to South Hills upon delivery.
That's 7-cars spread mighty thin isn't it.  As barns closed it is possible South Hills
received more.

Also, please note that Pgh. is hardly the only city that operates on grades with
All-Electric PCCs.  San Francisco did this and found the ex-St.Louis cars had
significant problems with braking on grades while their new cars of 1946 and

1952 did not.  All the cars are All-Electric aren't they.  Also please note the PCC
cars built by Eastern Europe; 99% are All-Electric aren't they.  Surely with so
many PCC cars there are grades of significance to operate.

One would think that those here have a strong interest in PRC railway and would
learn from what is written on the list.  Yet over and over the same people ask the
same questions in the same words and receive the same answers in the same
words don't they.  Are we writing to learn or just to see ourselves in print?

 
Phil




________________________________
 From: Dwight Long <dwightlong at verizon.net>
To: pittsburgh-railways at dementix.org 
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 1:05 PM
Subject: [PRCo] Re: Re :Fineview PCCs
 
Fred

Corroborating your theory, I never saw 1700s on 40,
and I don’t recall their routine use on 44, 48, or 49.  
I do recall riding one on 53 when it ran via Second Avenue.

Could it be that use of the 1700s on 8 and 31 related to the 
fact that they were GE rather than WH?  At any rate, the grades 
thereupon, whilst steep by railway practice, were not AS steep 
as those on 21 and 40.  Things are only steep or gentle by comparison!

Dwight