[PRCo] Fwd: Lisbon June 2012

[Fred Schneider]

OK, Bill, it now has much wider dispersal … not just the original expanded list but I also shot it to your friends at the Pittsburgh list.   I'll take that blame if someone squawks that it is out of character for the list.   
Begin forwarded message:

> From: Bill Robb <bill937ca at yahoo.ca>
> Date: June 20, 2012 8:09:25 PM EDT
> To: Fred Schneider <fwschneider at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: Lisbon June 2012
> Reply-To: Bill Robb <bill937ca at yahoo.ca>
> 
> Hi Fred,
> 
> Yes, go ahead and give it wider dispersal.
> 
> I had a tour on Friday with a local tram fan and met another on Saturday for lunch at a restaurant run by a third tram enthusiast.
> 
> My photos are on Flickr.
> 
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/65881702@N00/sets/72157630190840616/
> 
> Best,
> Bill
> 
> From: Fred Schneider <fwschneider at comcast.net>
> To: Bill Robb <bill937ca at yahoo.ca>; BRUCE C BENTE <bbente at bellsouth.net>; Bill Volkmer <bvolkmer at bellsouth.net>; Dwight Long <dwightlong at verizon.net>; Dennis Lamont <ge13031 at yahoo.com>; Christopf Grimm <chr.grimm at arcor.de>; peter folger <transitman at maine.rr.com>; Ed Lybarger <trams2 at comcast.net>; Jeffrey Mora <jgmindc at radix.net>; Jack May <jackmay135 at gmail.com>; Russ Jackson <rejmhj at netzero.net>; Phillip G. Craig <philgcraig204 at yahoo.com>; Norman Carlson <norman.carlson at sbcglobal.net>; Jeffrey Moreau <pejeff69 at yahoo.com>; Alan Schneider <alschneider2 at juno.com>; Tony Fitzherbert <Akftrain at aol.com>; Dick Kotulak <CRVLKOTULA at aol.com> 
> Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 7:58 PM
> Subject: Re: Lisbon June 2012
> 
> Bill:
> 
> I think this deserves much wider dispersal than just Fred Schneider …  
> 
> I could put it on the Pittsburgh list but I would leave you have that credit. 
> 
> I think a lot of the problem here is that the nation as a whole, like the USA, Greece, Italy have overspent, overborrowed and undersaved.   A lot of EU money was flowing into Portugal when I was there in the 1990s but you cannot build an economy on other people's money.   That apparently resulted in all those nice new light rail cars for Lisbon, rebuilding of the Sinta Atlantico, a brand new light rail line in Porto, but if the public doesn't have the jobs and trade to pay off the loans.   Looks to me like Lisbon did not have the money to sustain / maintain the system.
> 
> Does this sound like the Port Authority of Allegheny County, which cannot afford to serve the citizens because it might mean taxing them?   
> 
> Fred
> 
> 
> On Jun 20, 2012, at 7:05 PM, Bill Robb wrote:
> 
>> Hi Fred,
>> 
>> Just back from a four day trip to Lisboa.
>> 
>> Austerity is taking its toll on the wooden bodied Lisbon trams and Lisboa.  On several cars the bottom of the window has rotted away leaving the window at odd angles.  From the outside looking through the car you can see daylight where the window should be supported. Examples are 559 and 554.
>> 
>> On trams like 552, the structure is no longer rigid. There are constantly creaking sounds and swaying as the trams move along.
>> 
>> Apparently a program of paint and window repairs with glue is planned. It will probably be contracted out as most of the Santo Amaro shop staff have been let go except those that proved too  expensive to make redundant. I was told the wheel lathe is not working and many shop machines have out of order tags on them. Track repairs are still done in house.
>> 
>> Apparently 573 has been cannibalized. One of the 700s is sitting in the sheds with its windows out. But at least two 700s were out last Friday on private hire.
>> 
>> Car 10 at Praca Comercio has been replaced by a standard metal kiosk. Car 10 apparently is in the shops at Santo Amaro. Its former sight seems to be used as parking now.
>> 
>> The Carris Museu is no longer open Saturday according to a sign at the entrance, although there is plenty old collateral material (brochures, signs, web site) which haven`t been updated.  Inside the museum some cars have been moved out so it can be rented out as a banquet facility.  On the day I was there the gift shop was locked, but after two calls someone came and opened the shop.
>> 
>> The Praca Comercio tram stops are now mixed traffic in one direction. The new middle lane is a left turn lane, although there is no signage indicating this at the Rua do Ouro end.  Trams heading to Praca Figueira end up making a left turn from the right lane while motor traffic that uses the left turn lane as a through lane continues straight ahead.
>> 
>> I saw no sign of 501, so presumably its still out for overhaul.
>> 
>> For now all five tram lines are running.  But will tram 18 return after August? The August board period in Lisbon is scheduled to start July 28. Carris tried to close line 18 in December, but community pressure kept it running. Time will tell.
>> 
>> As for the city itself, many sidewalks are damaged and needed the calcada repaired, traffic lights and pedestrian signs below Rua da Conceicao along Rua da Plata and Rua dos Fanqueiros were not working. Doctors and police are reportedly indifferent to emergencies.
>> 
>> Best,
>> Bill Robb
> 
> 
>