laa@medman.UUCP (06/07/84)
<mmm, good> The Port Authority interurban lines still exist and are in the process of being made into LRV lines instead of the picturesque but wobbly trolley runs that they have been. I've been away from Pittsburgh for a couple years but believe that the Library line has been extended to South Hills Village mall and that a new rail shop has been built at the terminus. In addition to upgrading the track, new cars are to be purchased (don't know from where). Since the new rolling stock will have pantographs, the current PCC's have been so equipped, giving them an interesting appearance. The downtown loops of both the Library and Drake "interurbans" as well as the 42/38 Mt. Lebanon route (which is also mostly private right-of-way) will be put into a subway. The 42/38 is currently shut down while a subway is being built through Mt. Lebanon. The "interurban" designation for these lines dates back when they went on to Monongahela and Washington, Pa., I believe. They were cut back about 1954. All the Pgh. trolleys were to have been replaced by "Skybus," a rubber-tired, automated system designed by Westinghouse Electric. It was killed for a combination of political and technical reasons, resulting in some frantic PCC-patching. Larry Abel Dep't of Neurology CWRU Cleveland, OH 44106 ...decvax!cwruecmp!medman!laa