[PRCo] Rt. 37 Service post Fall 1951 until August 1953

[Dwight Long]

During the past two weeks there was an exchange of views on this list relative to the service that was provided between Castle Shannon and the Golden Triangle during the period Fall 1951 until the new schedules put into place following the discontinuance of the Washington interurban line in August 1953.

The Background:  Prior to the Fall of 1951, the Washington and Charleroi interurbans operated in tandem between Washington Jct. and the Triangle, observing a half hourly base headway.  They did not pick up pax inbound between Shannon and the Triangle nor did they handle local pax outbound destined to points in this zone.  The 1700 series interurban cars were not even equipped with city fareboxes at that time.  Rt. 37 Shannon local cars were provided at all times to cater to the local trade.  However, in the Fall of 1951, owing to the decline in this local business, PRC changed operations such that the two interurban line's cars were staggered at 15 minute intervals between Washington Jct. and the Triangle, fare boxes were added to the interurban cars, and they began to accommodate the local trade, with the exception of some outbound rush hour trips which ran limited service to Frederick Street.

Contemporary reports as well as Art Ellis's and my memory state that Rt. 37 base service was eliminated at this time, with only rush hour trips turning at Shannon as Rt. 37 cars.  Others have suggested that there were Rt. 37 cars interspersed between the interurbans during base hours to provide a 7 1/2 minute headway.

During my visit to the archives at Arden last Friday I was able to find an OFFICIAL PRC employee's timetable for Rts. C, W, and 37.  It was dated May 1952 and was compiled by John Baxter.  This schedule date is illustrative of the time period under consideration.  These are weekday schedules, and show half hourly base service on both interurban lines, at staggered times, providing a 15 minute headway between Castle Shannon and the Triangle.  The Rt. 37 schedule shows NO cars operated during non-peak times.  The route had eight morning peak (plus two very early cars) schedules, two of which ran outbound by Rt. 38, and six afternoon peak schedules, one of which returned by Rt. 38.  

There were additional peak hour cars scheduled to West Library, Riverview, and Canonsburg, but none of these affected the question of base service between Castle Shannon and the Golden Triangle.

I trust that these findings put this question to rest.  Contemporary reports and Art's and my memories were correct.

Dwight


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