Borough of Etna - Centennial Festivities Yearbook (Etna, PA)

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P 1 1 1 11W J N. K... f -v f S: , It ' ' Wg X V 4 it Crew from BRO Freight Station in late 1920's. The Pittsburgh and Butler Street Railway failed in 1917. The company re-organized as the Pittsburgh, Mars and Butler Railway in 1917 in expectation of a sale to the Harmony Route. Permission for the sale was denied by the Pennsylvania Public Service Com- mission in 1918. A holding Co., the Pittsburgh, Butler and Harmony consolidated Railway and Power Com- pany, was formed to control both lines and the two interurbans were consolidated. Both Harmony Route and the Butler Short Line after consolidation had the same officers and general offices, but they retained separate superintendents. A joint terminal was built in Butler in 1921. ln 1928 the holding company was succeeded by the Harmony Short Line Railway, Bus and Land Company. Both the Harmony Route and the Butler Short Line went bankrupt in April 1931. Because of this, the last car ran over the Butler Short Line between Pittsburgh and Butler on April 22, 1931 and the Harmony Line August 15. 1931. ..i .J..u. BSO FREIGHT STATION on Sycamore St. The lnterurban Trolleys were a memorable part of the past. We remember the Butler Short Line best. Flashes of light lit up the country-side at night. The progress of the car could also be followed at night by the powerful beam of its headlight. One of the things not easy to forget is the noise the car made as it climbed Kingotls hill just outside of Etna. The -7952 Etna streetcar tPittsburgh Railways Col also serviced Etna. The early trolleys could be driven from either end. Upon reaching the end of the line, at Dewey Street. the motorman would reverse the trolley bar and proceed back to downtown Pittsburgh. ln the 1930,s a waiting terminal and grocery store was built at lVlt. Hope and Grant Avenue. The newer trolleys made a loop at this point for their return trip. The 7552 trolley was retired on September 1. 1952. Since that time the Etna area has been serviced by buses. The Transit Division of Port Authority of Allegheny County operates the buses now serving Etna. om TROLLEVYXTIIRN-AROUND, now used 'by buses 'Q ea I 1

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THE BUTLER SHORT LINE The cars used in this line were built by the Niles Car and Manufacturing Company. Five of the original 13 cars had baggage compartments, all included smok- ing compartments and lavatories. They had four 100 horsepower Westinghouse motors, single phase and were equipped for double end, multiple unit operation. ln August 1907 there were 5 more cars on order. Speeds of 48 miles per hour were common and where grades were favorable maximum speed of 60 mph was attained. There were 59 stops between Pittsburgh and Butler. The cars on the Butler Short Line were distinguished by the fact that they were equipped with both trolley and pantograph. The trolley was used in the cities of Pittsburgh and Butler. The pantograph was used on the line between cities. ln the beginning three classes of runs were operated: rapid dispatch, 5 stops between terminal points, 65 minutes to Etna, 35 min- ',. 'Ms utes to Pittsburghg limited schedule, 25 stops, 35 min- utes to Etna, 35 minutes to Pittsburgh, local, average 35 stops, 92 minutes Butler to Etna, 35 minutes to Pittsburgh. Construction of the line was finished on April 4-, 1907, a party of officials boarded a car for an inspec- tion trip. Present for at least part of the trip were: George Heard, President of the Pittsburgh and Butler Street Railway, William Pape, General Manager, G. L. Wilcoxson, Superintendent, Pittsburgh Railways, and W. F. Fowler of Westinghouse. May 1, 1907 was a red letter day. On that day formal opening of the Butler Short Line took place and regular service began. The next event in the history of the Shortline came on October 24, 1913 when the line switched over to 1200 volt direct current. The Change was made to give greater efficiency and faster service. 1 Changing from Trolley to Pantograph in Butler if of R 'H ,inf-4

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1 'wmwmx - -- A f--4 A1 E Z. -' - , MAE WEST BEND 4 T? , ul , 9-. bl ' . Y 1 If 4 A .rx v ll ' ' 5, 1 Y: ,rx ,,..,Qy? A md. , Q ' 1 k'y-'14. l ' '- MAE WEST BEND: named in the early 30's after the famous blonde lllUYllf star M Picture shows old approaches to the bend. Old approaches Coming into Etna from Ro uc We-st because her curves resembled the curve. utr- 8, 1934. Old Routr 8 lpavmg Etna. 69