BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Came across this interesting page; a number of historic streetcars and trams are represented here......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heritage_streetcar

["LACONIA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Pittsburgh's once-proud PCC fleet........

By the end of the 1960s, it was clear that the reign of the iconic PCC was indeed entering its long and dismal twilight.

In 1971, only 118 PCCs were still on the active roster; by the following year, that number had dwindled down to just 95.

This downward spiral accelerated still furher throughout the coming years.

Most cars were scrapped in a reserved area at South Hills Junction.

By 1999, the PCC era had come to a sad end, with only three cars still in operation on the Drake Shuttle, making their final runs.........

"NYO"

["39 BROOKLINE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Transition..........

As was the case with the Newark City Subway's PCCs when NJT was revamping the line for LRV operation, the last PCCs in operation in Pittsburgh were re-equiopped with pantographs (this was reminiscent of the PCC-style trams that once operate in The Hague)............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?91446

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?91447

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["47D DRAKE"]

["PITTSBURGH RAILWAYS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Happier days in the "Steel City"............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?14235

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?14226

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?14250

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?14236

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?14287

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?14229

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

{"87 ARDMORE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Excellent, detailed page on Pittsburgh Railways (history, photos, etc)

This was quite an extensive, far-flung system, in its day........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh_Railways

["SOUTH HILLS JCT."]

[Cyberider]

Pittsburgh was quite the PCC Town at one time. I'd hoped to visit but never did.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Pittsburgh, 1964.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?14249

Intricate streetcar "special work" has also always greatly interested me!)

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["76 HAMILTON"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an excellent example of how to desecrate a classic PCC......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?46272

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["PAT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Now, here is a timeless American classic!

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?43681

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["30 CRAFTON"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Once upon a time in Pittsburgh...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?88609

)courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["WATCH SWING OF CAR"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

How ironic that Pittsburgh and Chicago had two of the most interesting PCC fleets in the country..........and, today, there is virtually nothing remaining from wither city's once-vast fleets......

'"YO"

["ST. LOUIS CAR COMPANY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"Recycled" streetcars.......

Particularly after the War, many streetcars had their trucks and electrical gear removed, and thei bodies converted ito bungalows, diners, hamburger stands, camp dormitories, etc.

Just after the War, a number of retired streetcars were also used as temporary housing for returning GIs.

In fact, a now-classic children's book, "THE TROLLEY CAR FAMILY" (1948) deals with the story of a veteran motorman, who refuses to drive one of the "newfangled" buses that are replacing the streetcars in his town.

He makes a deal with the streetcar company, and, instead of a month's pay,they present him with the streetcar he's happily piloted for so many years.

"Mr. Parker" also makes a deal with the company to park on the car on a long-abandoned interurban line ,just beyond the city limots.

The car company owned the land; they had planned to build carbarns out beyond the city limits where taxes would be cheaper, but that never came to to pass.

So, after piloting the car to the end of the line, with the car jammed full of furniture and household belongings (and, of course, family!)
, and uses milk-wagon horses to pull the old car along the rusty, abandoned rails some five miles out of town, where they stop, and a new life begins for not only the elderly streetcar itself, but also, the "Trolley Car Family"!

I've read my old copies too many times to count, over the years!

"NYO"

["EAST SAWYERVILLE"]