[PRCo] Re: Pgh. PA flood of 1097 and Prc track

[Barry, Matthew R]

Good finds!

________________________________________
From: pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementix.org [pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementix.org] On Behalf Of John Swindler [j_swindler at hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 11:55 PM
To: Pittsburgh Railways
Subject: [PRCo] Re: Pgh. PA flood of 1097 and Prc track

  Thank you, Phil. The pictures that continue to surface on the digital Pittsburgh site are amazing.  Not so amazing that pictures prior to the advent of railfans have survived, but that so many of these early pictures feature evidence of Pittsburgh Railways.  Or West Penn in a few instances. The Browns Hill pix was intriguing because it seemed to show the original right of way to original Homestead Bridge on left side.  Someday will be tempted to try to drive down the original Browns Hill Rd. and see if there is any evidence of the streetcar era near RR tracks.  At one time there was a single track trolley line on north side of Mon between Glenwood and Rankin. CheersJohn
 > Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2012 18:02:34 -0700
> From: pcc_sr at yahoo.com
> Subject: [PRCo] Pgh. PA flood of 1097 and Prc track
> To: pittsburgh-railways at dementix.org
>
>       * To: Pittsburgh Railways <pittsburgh-railways at dementix.org>
>       * Subject: [PRCo] Re: trolley tracks on Browns Hill
>       * From: John Swindler <j_swindler at hotmail.com>
>       * Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 19:28:54 -0400
> > Hit the 'go back' button 3-4 times and there are some pic of live steam.
> > hit 'go back' couple more times and there are pix of golden triangle flooding.
> ....................................................................................
>
>
> Mr.Swindler,
>
> Searches for flood turn up even more, the most interesting by far
> is the flood of Mar-15-1097 isn't it:
> <http://tinyurl.com/7kqw6ob>
>
> But maybe the infamous six-year flood is more interesting:
> <http://tinyurl.com/7admdfe>
>
> The most simple search for flood turns up 664 photos.
> <http://tinyurl.com/btv24tk>
>
> Here is Duquesne Way in front of the Exposition bldg;
>
> <http://tinyurl.com/7mgpxox>
> The bldg which became the freight terminal is visible in
> the distance notable for its spire.  The yet to be built
> ramp from the Manchester bridge shall approach from
> behind the photographer over the tracks in view.  That
> single track turns to our right behind the photographer
> and goes back to double track to join Penn at Water
> street in this next view:
> <http://tinyurl.com/72n5t2q>
>
> <http://tinyurl.com/872n5hw>
>
> <http://tinyurl.com/d6odqjp>
>
>
> This is a very basic overview of the continuing flood threat
> to the city isn't it.  It wasn't until the mid-1930s that
> definite action was taken.  I found this at wikipedia, a good
> first step::
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh_Flood_of_1936>
>
>
> Later I shall search for more flood control details.
>
>
> The most fascinating find about floods is the
> Army Corps of Engineers Pgh site:
> <http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/pao/history.htm>
>
> Prc track condition and construction stood out in many
> of these photos (many photos are apparently labeled
> as in a Flood District regardless of actual conditions.)
> The alignment or lack thereof is interesting in 1911:
> <http://tinyurl.com/7oya6c2>
>
> <http://tinyurl.com/72pzosm>
>
> In 1911 many single-truck bobbers are still very much
> in evidence aren't they:
> <http://tinyurl.com/7bzmrpg>
>
> Track is rough.  Again in 1911 there are many double-
> truck cars aren't there.  Some of these cars are not
> light; they hammer the rails and tracks even more.
>
> Still again there is considerable track reconstruction
> from 1911 forward, quite respectable with photos
> suggesting very good quality:
> <http://tinyurl.com/cea2vwp>
>
> This construction in 1913 is very impressive:
> <http://tinyurl.com/7otkbzh>
>
>
> Phil
>
>