THE TROLLEY PARK NEWS Aug.-Oct. 1980 Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society Bulletin Vol. 21, No’s 8, 9 & 10 midnight, the lot had been weeded down to the five best PCCs. The two returned on the morrow and made their final selection, No. 1159. While Paul waited for the PCC to be brought over to the Metro Center for loading (there was no suitable crane in the Geneva Car House), Charles was taken on a brief training “run” inside the barn in a similar PCC. His introduction to the starting and stopping characteristics of these cars is a vivid memory; the instructor accelerated flat out toward the back wall of the carbarn, stopping "on a dime" just before creating a new bay. Charles says the 1930s tech- nology of the PCC remains very impressive. Muni PCC 1159 was put on the rails at Glenwood on Sept 23, 1980, the day after two OERHS members returned from an arduous trip to San Francisco to retrieve it (Oregonian photo). No. 1159 had been loaded by 3 p.m., but could not be moved when the trailer proved to be too short. round trip to get the car. The PCC Although the front wheels were 1159 was a “Will Call” was hauled on Paul's specially firmly held in place by welded designed trolley trailer. A rented chocks, the rear truck was free to Trolley Hertz 10-speed diesel tractor move slightly owing to the provided the power. articulated design of Paul's trailer. he newest addition to the The rear wheels nearly slipped off T OERHS collection is PCC No. The two intrepid members arrived in the frame as Paul began to pull out 1159, which is on loan from the the Bay Area on the evening of of the carhouse. Municipal Railway of San Francisco. August 19th and immediately Acquisition of the car was made proceeded to the Geneva Car House The result of this unfortunate possible through the generosity of to begin surveying 25 surplus PCCs discovery was another day of delay. trustee Bill Hayes, who donated in the yard as potential additions to The Trolley Park crew were unable $800 to pay for its transportation to our roster. PCCs still use this 1901 Glenwood. The trolley itself was landmark facility, while the new free, but OERHS members had to go Metro Center across the street is The Trolley Park News is published monthly be the OERHS and pick it up in California! reserved for LRVs. and is available through membership. Send requests for The Society is very grateful to Mr. A point system was used to judge Hayes for enabling us to add a PCC information, or items for overall quality, including body publication, to Richard Thompson, car to the roster. Thanks are also due condition, seats, mechanical, Editor, 1836 N. Emerson, Portland, Paul Class and Charles Hayden for windows, etc. Before collapsing into OR 97217. making the bone-jarring 1,400 mile bed at a nearby motel around Page 2 The Trolley Park News Aug.-Oct. 1980 to leave until Muni shop staff had prepared to back it off the trailer kindly welded an additional 20" of under its own power. This is the steel onto the articulated tongue of aspect of the trailer that makes it so the trailer. useful, since no crane is needed to set a heavy trolley onto the rails. The At the last moment an opportune trolley pole was placed on the find resulted in one more delay. overhead and witnesses were greeted During the wait Charles had located with a powerful hum from the motor a surplus Grant electric farebox. generator sets. However, Paul had already pulled out of Metro Center as Charles filled But the frustration was not yet over. out necessary additional paperwork, Several times Charles pressed the so Charles found himself lugging the controller pedal only to find the 75 lb. farebox to the freeway on brakes firmly set. It seems that in a ramp 1/2 mile away, where Paul “Buck Rogers" streetcar like this the waited with the PCC car. They operator's wishes are obeyed only finally departed San Francisco on the after a complicated series of afternoon of August 21st. interlocks indicates that all is o.k. The two got as far as Redding that Three attempts at backing off the first day, making it back to trailer resulted in nothing more than Glenwood on August 22nd. Charles loud pops from the solenoids. It reports the trip was made a bit more turned out that Charles had removed anxious when it was discovered that the magnetic track brake fuses, the trailer was overloaded and the fearing that a hard application of the bearings were running hot (the trailer brakes might damage the volunteer- had been designed for delivery of the Volunteers connect the trailer to the track at laid rail at Glenwood. The brakes lighter weight Australian cars to the Trolley Park in preparation for unloading remained set until he replaced the Seattle). Muni No. 1159. This system allows trolleys to fuses and closed the center doors. be driven off the trailer under their own power with no crane required. Things were also tense the time The PCC finally crept onto Charles missed a gear while Glenwood Electric steel at 5 p.m. attempting to downshift on a long and everyone boarded for test runs. downhill grade outside of has years of experience on diesel Since No. 1159 is a single-ender and Canyonville. He is convinced that trucks and buses in addition to had been backed off the trailer, the the brake shoes were much smaller Broadway line streetcars. first leg of each trip had to be made by the time he got the rig pulled over running backward. A little two- to the shoulder. One can imagine the As the truck approached Glenwood position hand controller behind the looks of passing motorists as they Electric rails, the metal fence across rear seat is provided for such stared at the big PCC seemingly the end of the track was removed exigencies, but it was not ideal. chasing after the tiny truck cab. and special girders strung between Everything was rectified by the trailer and the rails. Bars were changing directions above Meadows The next day was a regular operation bolted on to hold these strips of Station and coming back around the day at the Park, and a perfect metal in gauge. loop in the forward direction. occasion for an inaugural run. Crews were on hand to help unload No. The most difficult moment arrived in It was found that careful application 1159. It would turn out to be an late afternoon when a large bolt on of the brakes did not result in event that took all afternoon. the trailer sheared off under the damage to the rails. However, strain of continuous starts and stops passengers on these test runs quickly Backing the articulated trailer up to on uneven ground. Fortunately, Paul discovered that the PCC’s the end of rail was not easy. Many had a spare. exhilarating acceleration was not attempts were made at a straight without drawbacks. Heavy current alignment, all under the patient When all seemed in readiness draw (over 200 amps) led to two or guidance of member Al Nelson, who Charles climbed into the PCC and three power outages each trip. Bill Page 3 The Trolley Park News Aug.-Oct. 1980 Hayes soon dubbed No. 1159 our first "three-man trolley," since someone had to be stationed at the powerhouse to reset the circuit breaker. Another person was needed behind the trolley on the loop to walk the pole around. These problems have since been dealt with by Paul Class, who has installed a heavier circuit breaker in the powerhouse and placed a swivel shoe on the trolley poles. Even so, riders will have to adjust to the unusual appearance of a single-end PCC car running backward until a "wye" can be added to the line. Superintendent Hayden hopes that such a track configuration might be laid behind the carbarn next summer It is 5:00 on Saturday, August 23, 1980, and new arrival PCC No. 1159 from San Francisco has as the first step in the new Five-year just rolled off the trailer and onto Glenwood Electric rails. Members are gathered for the exciting Transportation Improvement Plan. inaugural run of this “Buck Rogers” trolley. (Richard Thompson photograph) At any rate, the Hayes trolley will be in regular operation next year so that The PCC may appear to be an Traction Company. Yet Portland Broadway car No. 4012 can be put antique when compared with today's never had a PCC car. in the shop for much-needed light rail vehicles, but it was a space- restoration. age car when contrasted with other The PCC staff of around 30 trolleys of its time. From the late engineers moved beyond the state of 1930s on the technology of electric the art during nearly six years of street transit in much of the world research. Over $600,000 went into was embodied in the PCC concept. the effort to design the perfect PCC Cars Modernized streetcar. Some 25 manufacturers Street Railways The PCC car, whose initials stand participated in tests set up in for the Electric Railway Presidents' Hirshfeld's Brooklyn field lab. Their Conference Committee, represented most important discovery was that a he new vehicle on the a last-ditch effort by the streetcar trolley could accelerate and brake T Glenwood Electric Railway industry to combat the inroads being rapidly providing the process was roster is not just any old trolley.