[PRCo] DC Streetcar

[Herb Brannon]

Interesting is the fact that the reasons (dreamed up by Capital Transit in
1947) for conversion of the Benning Road service from streetcar to bus were
first, the fact that during rush hour periods the service frequency had to
be less than 60-seconds between cars. These lines (Rosslyn-Kenilworth;
Washington Circle-Seat Pleasant; Washington Circle-Kenilworth Junction;
15th & New York-Kenilworth Junction; and Potomac Park-Seat Pleasant)
required the use of a "plow pit" at the interface between conduit and
overhead operation. The changeover from conduit to overhead and vice
versatook an even 60-seconds and could not be
speeded up using Capital Transit methods (London (UK) accomplished this
faster than 60-seconds) Therefore headways could not be less than
60-seconds. Buses were the answer. Second, eastbound cars at 15th & New
York Avenue were being delayed do to heavy traffic and the fact that
streetcar movements at that intersection caused missed opportunities for
cars to go on their proper routes. Streetcars were always backed up two or
more blocks waiting for a green light to go their respective ways at 15th &
New York. Third, traffic congestion along Benning Road was increasing and
those two lanes of streetcar track would make more room for autos. Now,
nearly 70 years later, suddenly traffic is no longer a concern for the
operation of streetcars on Benning Road.

Not to mention that the new Washington streetcar system uses overhead wire,
hanging above the streets, inside the District of Columbia. I supposed that
this took "an act of Congress" to allow overhead wire in D.C.

I'm glad the streetcars are coming back, however, why did they have to go
in the first place?


On Sun, Dec 22, 2013 at 11:47 AM, John Swindler <j_swindler at hotmail.com>wrote:

>
>
> Benning Road from front of tour bus during recent TRB meeting.  About half
> the span wires were in place, but no contact wire.  Work was underway at
> turnback near Union Station.  Grading completed no construction yet on
> carbarn at east end of the line.  A stated purpose is to help revitalize a
> run-down area.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Date: Sun, 22 Dec 2013 16:00:29 +0000
> > From: bobrathke at comcast.net
> > To: pittsburgh-railways at mailman.dementix.org
> > Subject: Re: [PRCo] DC Streetcar
> >
> > An interesting animation teaching people the things we learned from
> parents and friends in the "old" streetcar era. Attached are a couple of
> photos I took in Georgetown on 11/3/78. I had thought that the sign was a
> remnant of the streetcar days in D.C., but it may have been posted later to
> warn bicyclists of the rail that was still in the street 16 years after
> trolleys ended in the District.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> >
> > From: "DF Cramer" <alto_trombone at hotmail.com>
> > To: pittsburgh-railways at mailman.dementix.org
> > Sent: Sunday, December 22, 2013 6:26:15 AM
> > Subject: [PRCo] DC Streetcar
> >
> >
> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/21163/watch-ddots-beautifully-animated-streetcar-video/
> >
> > We now have to teach people how to react.
> >
> > Dennis F. Cramer
> > http://home.windstream.net/dfc1/
> >
> >
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-- 
Herb Brannon


*In Pittsburgh.............................A City And.........A State of
Mind *
Let's Go Pens
Let's Go Steelers



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