[PRCo] DC Streetcar

[John Swindler]

Thank you, Derrick.  Very interesting, and goes well beyond whatever email string I vaguely recall from a decade ago.
 
Also in Washington, Silver Line should be opening soon.  There is a tenuous connection with PAT - same consultant for system safety oversight.
 
http://www.dullesmetro.com/documents/_Dec2013/13DEC2_AirportAuthorityNotice.pdf
 
 
 

 
> Date: Tue, 24 Dec 2013 09:09:15 -0500
> From: shadow at dementix.org
> To: pittsburgh-railways at mailman.dementix.org
> Subject: Re: [PRCo] DC Streetcar
> 
> In reading about the Potomac Yard linear park that just opened I ran into
> info about the DC streetcar and overhead wires.
> 
> Here, have the legal opinions from the current line about the old laws.
> 
> http://hbx.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddot/publication/attachments/dcs_systemplan_oct2010_appendix_p.pdf
> 
> 
> 
> On Mon, Dec 23, 2013 at 11:42 AM, PC <pcc_sr at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
> > You always post such nice summaries Mr.Brannon.  From the post by
> > Mr.Brashear it seems 'an act of congress' is the original reason for ban on
> > overhead in the city isn't it.  In those days buses had significantly less
> > capacity than trolleys let alone lower acceleration and power and could
> > still queue at bus stops.  While buses are able to pull around one another
> > in theory it is a little more difficult in practice isn't it.  Safety is an
> > issue with people running to catch a bus along with other vehicle traffic.
> >  If the facts were known I seriously doubt buses did better and most likely
> > were slower than the cars weren't they.
> >
> > Did you see the system Mr.Brannon?  I was able to ride and was impressed
> > with the speeds, especially on the street under wire.  I was there only a
> > few times but I am glad I had the opportunity.
> >
> >
> > Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
> >
> >
> > PC
> >
> >
> >
> > --------------------------------------------
> > On Sun, 12/22/13, Herb Brannon <hrbran at cavtel.net> wrote:
> >
> >  Subject: Re: [PRCo] DC Streetcar
> >  To: "Western PA Trolley discussion" <
> > pittsburgh-railways at mailman.dementix.org>
> >  Date: Sunday, December 22, 2013, 9:53 AM
> >
> >  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 versa took 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 due 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?
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Pittsburgh-railways at mailman.dementix.org
> > https://mailman.dementix.org/mailman/listinfo/pittsburgh-railways
> >
> 
> 
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