PCC

[mharter]

Work continues on the PCC model, I have been working on interior views and cab views. I am having trouble finding documentation on how the controls are set up, can anyone help?

I also need performance data for the .eng file.

I will be distributing the texture map so that people can fool around with paint schemes, stay tuned...

http://www.fastmodel.com/models/scrgrb3.jpg

[dchagar]

Looks great! I prefer the "non-air" cars myself, with the standee windows. Can you also release one without couplers?
Dave

[tryagin]

Oh, WOW! That's delicious! Beautiful work there, and I will be anxiously awaiting an example.

Tim
http://forums.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d0eb1f342dbe494.jpg

[msavianney]

Hi Matt,

I'll post your question on the various traction e-mail lists of which I am a member. Can't wait for that puppy to hit the rails!

All the best,
Matt A
http://forums.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d0ef7946c74e337.gif

[chuckzeiler]

The following is from the book, "Chicago Surface Lines", so it applies only to CSL PCC's.

The car had four 50hp (some sources say 60hp) Westinghouse 300 volt (traction) motors, permanently connected in series for operation on 600 volts DC. Drive was double reduction, similar to type WN. Both acceleration and braking were at 4.75 mph/sec, and top speed was 40 mph. Control was through a master controller with only three power points - switching, full field, and short field - and only two braking positions - hold and braking. The motorman could select a range of acceleration rates from 1.50 to 4.75 mph/sec. He could select braking rates up to 4.75 mph/sec.

Braking was by a combination of dynamic brakes, magnetic track brakes, and air brakes. The air brakes were only an auxiliary system, to prevent heat damage to the resilient rubber wheel "sandwich" from excessive brake shoe friction. Braking was dynamic, but an auxiliary air brake held the car when stopped, and could also be used in conjunction with the dynamic brakes to bring the car to an emergency stop.

CSL's first PCC's were 4'5" longer and 5" wider than standard PCC's being built by the St. Louis Car Company for Brooklyn and Baltimore. The extra length was used to add another entrance door (three rather than the standard two) and to add a single rear exit door. The extra width made it necessary to mount the car bodies 3" off center on the trucks so two cars could pass each other. This resulted in the bodies overhanging the right hand rail 3" more than the left. As Chicago's cars were to be two-man, the motorman didn't have to make change or issue transfers. So hand controls were used, rather than the foot pedals used in other PCC cars.

If I can get to a flatbed scanner, I'll scan some images and post them here.

[dkunath]

Rode those beauties for many years in San Francisco, sure brings back some great memories.

Dwayne

[atsfdude]

The Green Torpedoes.. Rode them all the time down Market Street in San Francisco. Brings back memories

ATSFDUDE

[mharter]

I will create one without couplers after this one is done. I decided to make the MU one first so that people can have fun with consists. Imagine 100 PCCs hitched together, like a worm burrowing through the city!

I will also make a lefty door version for Bostonians to ride.

Matt

[MountainHome]

Yup, before BART appeared, I frequently hopped on a bus from Daly City to Stonestown and then caught the M - Ocean View thru Twin Peaks tunnel to Market Street.

Harold

[dkunath]

And I used to take the M line from Norht Beach to SF State in the late 60's and early 70's.

Dwayne

[Thirdrail70]

Can't wait, Matt! Glad you're making a Boston version of the PCC also, (with couplers of course).

[smallspy]

Matt, I'm asking around my area to see what anyone has in terms of photos. At www.transit.toronto.on.ca there are several good interior shots of the different variations of the cars that ran in T.O., but unfortunately, no dash shots. I'll keep looking though.

Also, for the ENG file, I'll give you a hand with it if you like. I also have a pamphlet that the TTC handed out about the PCC's, it's very detailed.

Dan in T.O.

The only thing to fear, is running out of beer.

[BNSF4723]

I hope there is a TTC version too. I wouldn't mind if there isn't as I can do it but it would be nice! Hope to see the PCC out soon!

[davereage]

I think the PCC shown in the picture above could be easily modified to resemble a TTC PCC. The colour scheme was pretty similar I think.

Dave

[mharter]

I have the PCC working pretty well, right now it has Acela controls, but the interior views are rendered. I have not started on the passenger view model yet. Due to limited time, I am not making as much progress as I would like, Isn't that the way life goes! I invite others to get involved and work from what I have done so far, I could use some group effort to get things done.

The 3dCanvas model and textures will be on my website so that others can develop alternate models and paint schemes for the PCC. I will also put up the working beta.

Check out http://www.fastmodel.com/models

Files should be there after July 6th.

Matt

[ChooChooCharlie]

I must say Matt that your PCC model is truly Spectacular!! :D I'd help but I just don't have the time anymore :(








Cheers
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Charlie

[gatecityca]

Looks great! I read the other replies to your message, and it seems that, depending on the particular operating company and the time period, PCCs have had both hand controls and foot pedals. I know that here in southern California, the PCCs used towards the end of our trolley era (1965, I belive is when the last streetcar was in operation in Los Angeles) had foot pedals. The line potential was 600 volts DC, typical for most local lines. In fact, this was universal in southern California, with the only exception I know of being the San Bernardino interurban line which was at 1200 volts. I was a member of the Orange Empire Railway Museum here in CA for a while and got a chance to operate a PCC a couple of years ago. (I'm 24 now, but I was the youngest person who got to drive the thing that night) This one was all electric if I remember correctly. I can tell you one thing for sure, they are fast! This one had pedal controls and I barely touched the accellerator and it took off! They have a very "light" feel to them. I hope this can help a little.

Chris T.

[Motorman]

Really geat looking PCC. I don't know where you're located but there are plenty of PCC's still operational in museums and "Heritage" Light Rail systems so you should be able to get first hand info ... and maybe a ride. Try contacting trolley museums for info too, Illinois Railway Museum hsa an operational 2 man Chicago PCC with, I think, hand controls. They can be contacted at www.irm.org.

:-)

[mharter]

The PCC car is available for download at:
http://fastmodel.com/models/

There is also a 3dCanvas source model, and an Adobe Illustrator texture file for creating custom paint schemes.

This is a beta version, it has some bugs. It uses adapted Acela controls for now. Read the readme file for installation instructions.

Have fun!

http://fastmodel.com/models/images_trainsim/scrgrb0.jpg

[shovelnose]

Excellent Matt !

I can't wait to rush home tonight to download this little beauty :-)

It's been one of the MSTS models I've been looking forward to the most, having visited most of the PCC car systems in the USA in 1978. Thanks for your hard work on this good looking model.


http://forums.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3cf67acc29f55a77.jpg

[Thirdrail70]

I share your enthusiasm for the PCC, shovelnose. I've been hoping for an MSTS PCC for some time now. Let's hope that Matt continues to make more improvements to this beta version as well as other versions of the PCC such as the Boston model with the left hand center doors. I'd love to see Matt make some of the other models in his collection available for MSTS such as the Boston "Type 7". Of course, a big "Thank you" to Matt for making this model available to we in the MSTS community who love the PCC and other streetcars as well. No doubt, we'll be seeing repaints in the colors of everything from the Toronto Transportation Commission to the Pacific Electric.

[richb]

Thank you, Matt!

Now I can get some sleep, I have been tossing and turning every night waiting for your great PCC model to be released.

Rich