Far too many people were being hit by trains - since the line to Morrellville was street level. So it was decided to construct a series of underpasses to help keep accidents down by elevating the tracks. There were two major problems - first off, the trolleys couldn't go up Fairfield Avenue before this and secondly - people were gettting hit by passing trains since they had to cross the train tracks to take another trolley to the rest of Morrellville.
Wish I knew who that kid was on the right hand side. Mostly likely someone from either Pennsyvania or Virginia Avenue.
I never really understood just how someone can get hit by a train since you can hear and see them coming a half mile away. I'm probably missing something here. These days, I just see the occasional train coming through Johnstown (Moxham, Riverside). I'm sure there were many more back then. But still, how do you miss a giant noisy smokey bucket of bolts. I guess maybe at night?
ReplyDeleteIt was Mayor "Fighting" Joe Cauffiel that was responsible for all the overpasses. He had a sit down with the Pennsylvania Railroad big wigs and made them an offer they couldn't refuse.
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