My grandfather use to live along the trolley tracks right past St Anne's school in Castle Shannon. He tought their German Shepherd to go to the bathroom down on the tracks instead of in the yard and 1 day the poor dog got hit by the trolley. The conductor stopped the trolley and was so kindhearted that he carried the dog up to the house and apologised for what had happened. Needless to say my grandfather never heard the end of it from the family for what happened to the dog.
Ah, yes, the old PCC streetcars. I don't have many memories of them being on Pittsburgh streets; however, I do remember taking rides just for fun in the mid-90's when I was about 10 on the 47D Drake shuttle.
That being said, I have to ask something (if you or any other trolley enthusiasts come across this page): I notice on the cars that there is a third pedal on the left that the operator has to push every once in a while. Do you know what purpose this serves?
That third pedal is a dead-man. It has to be held down for the car to move. If the motorman were to pass out, the pedal would come out and the brakes would go into emergency and stop the car.
These things rode past my house in Wilkinsburg when I was a child. I remember seeing lightning strike the tracks. All the windows in the house shook. Wow! That was loud.
Yes - I do too - my Dad took me downtown when I was 5 sometimes on Fridays, when he picked up his paycheck. There are still trolleys from Bethel Park to Pittsburgh, but they are much newer and now bend in the middle.
My grandfather use to live along the trolley tracks right past St Anne's school in Castle Shannon. He tought their German Shepherd to go to the bathroom down on the tracks instead of in the yard and 1 day the poor dog got hit by the trolley. The conductor stopped the trolley and was so kindhearted that he carried the dog up to the house and apologised for what had happened. Needless to say my grandfather never heard the end of it from the family for what happened to the dog.
jimbo7348 3 years ago 2
That third pedal released sand onto the tracks for wheel traction.
monsterguitar1 4 years ago
Ah, yes, the old PCC streetcars. I don't have many memories of them being on Pittsburgh streets; however, I do remember taking rides just for fun in the mid-90's when I was about 10 on the 47D Drake shuttle.
That being said, I have to ask something (if you or any other trolley enthusiasts come across this page): I notice on the cars that there is a third pedal on the left that the operator has to push every once in a while. Do you know what purpose this serves?
redoctober90 4 years ago
That third pedal is a dead-man. It has to be held down for the car to move. If the motorman were to pass out, the pedal would come out and the brakes would go into emergency and stop the car.
Cordicron 3 years ago
Sort of what I thought it was. Thanks!
redoctober90 3 years ago
unless he passes out, falls forward putting weight onto his leg and thus floors it.
tobyeo 3 years ago
I livear the trolley Museum in Meadowlands Pa
padude64 2 years ago
These things rode past my house in Wilkinsburg when I was a child. I remember seeing lightning strike the tracks. All the windows in the house shook. Wow! That was loud.
Beesea 4 years ago
Wow....that's old footage. I remember riding the trolley from Bethel Park to dowtown in 1965.....
ROCKSTARCRANE 4 years ago
Yes - I do too - my Dad took me downtown when I was 5 sometimes on Fridays, when he picked up his paycheck. There are still trolleys from Bethel Park to Pittsburgh, but they are much newer and now bend in the middle.
regough 4 years ago