[PRCo] LIBRARY 1953.06.28

[Holland, James B.]

>> On 2014-09-03 20:48, Holland, James B. wrote:
>>
>> Hi, Dwight!
>>
>> That IS an emphatic negative!  The IB-Dormont Jct. turnout from 38 to 
>> 42 line was Not Electrified until the 42/38 started 24-hour operation 
>> on "Saturdays only;" it had previously been Owl only. This is about 
>> 1962 without checking files.  The 38-Mt.Lebanon was still operating 
>> so an electric turnout was needed.  This was in anticipation of 
>> abandoning the 38-line for TrolleyCars as the portion of 
>> Truck-Route-19 was to be upgraded between Dormont Jct and Brookline Jct.
>>
>> I lived right here.  I used to go to the wye in the PM rush Just To 
>> Watch The Interurban cars come through on the 38-line.  If attending 
>> 'then P.R.M.A.' meeting downtown, I always went to the 42-wye and 
>> watched for an Interurban on the 38-line.  Several times I rode one 
>> in on the 38-Mt.Lebanon as far as SHJ and transferred to continue the 
>> trip.
>>
>> Attached is a photo of 1703 at SHJ ready for vault pull displaying 
>> 38-line but it was not uncommon for the motormen to display an 
>> interurban route when using the 38.  "Lemonade Squeeze" or Railroad 
>> Nails is selling PRCo prints // negs showing Interurbans IB at 
>> Dormont Jct. clearly on the 38-line.
>>
>> Pg.083 of Harold Smith's book, Touring Pgh by Trolley, shows 1619 IB 
>> on the 38-line at Dormont Jct well IB of the switch to the 42-line. 
>> Another photo of a 1700-series Interurban IB on W.Liberty near 
>> Potomac is possibly in the archives for this list but IS floating 
>> around my files somewhere -- part of Roberta Hill collection -- 
>> again, returning to the barn and diverted to the 38-line because of 
>> congestion on the single track through Overbrook.
>>
>> Equipment was segregated well into the pat years -- Interurbans for 
>> their lines with city car use ONLY if interurban cars not available.  
>> It was Very Rare for an interurban to be in service on city lines 
>> until well into pat years when equipment availability was low.
>>
>> Once the 42/38 became 24-hours_X_365 -- then the interurban cars used 
>> the 42/38 as a run-around both directions, AM and PM.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>
> On Wed Sep 3 21:01:08 EDT 2014, Dwight Long dwightlong at verizon.net 
> wrote
>
> OK, I will take your word for it.  Note that I left myself an out!!
>
> 38 as an independent route went in spring of 1963.  I photographed it 
> extensively in its last days, including the last run.  I have the 
> exact date in my files at home, where I am not at the present time.
>
> Dwight

Hi, Dwight!

You did -- I noted that before I replied -- You Wrote:  "But I would not 
make book on this point!"

The end date for the 38-line is not the issue but when the point on the 
38-line into the 42-line IB was electrified.  This is when "Saturday 
Only" 42/38 service started which was in 1962 I believe. It was well 
before abandonment of the 38-line itself.  Sunday and weekdays were 
still dedicated 38-Mt.Lebanon and 42-Dormont.

On Saturday the 42/38-cars came through Dormont IB quite full.  Once the 
42/38 became permanent at all times and on all days, it was difficult 
for us to get a seat on the car.  I left Pgh. in March-1963, never to 
live there again.  My parents did not like the change and did not use 
the cars much.  Once the subway started even boarding the car IB was 
difficult -- they abandoned the system and just drove where needed.

Any information on the subsequent Ridolph All Color book on PRCo?

Jim