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| Re: Tuscarora Almanac - December 15, 1956 - The Book of First and Last Runs (1264576) | |||
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Re: Tuscarora Almanac - December 15, 1956 - The Book of First and Last Runs |
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Posted by Randyo on Mon Dec 16 15:03:49 2013, in response to Re: Tuscarora Almanac - December 15, 1956 - The Book of First and Last Runs, posted by JOE @ NYCMTS - NYCTMG on Mon Dec 16 05:58:26 2013. That really still doesn't answer the question as to why the IRT "had to have" both types of 3rd rails. As with the BMT, subway paddle type 3rd rail shoes can make contact with the higher and closer el type 3rd rail as long as there is no side protection board. I distinctly remember seeing Lo-vs on the Wh Pl Rd line with the subway shoes riding on and making contact with the el type 3rd rail that was still there for a brief period after the Steinways replaced MUDCs on the 3 Av el. Since subway paddle shoes can work with both types of 3rd rail, whereas drop style shoes would not be able to make contact with subway type 3rd rail which even if uncovered was mounted lower and farther away form the running rails installation of el type completely uncovered 3rd rail should have been sufficient for the IRT as it was for the BMT. By the way, as late as 1966, when I started with the TA, ENY, Canarsie and FP yds still had open el type 3rd rail even though their respective main lines did not. Also the unique trusswork at the station entrances between Bway and Bridge St required special runners to lift the paddle type shoes high enough to clear the girders and since these were made of wood and not actual 3rd rails, they were functionally 3rd rail gaps and each car lost power over them as a result. |
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