Subway, Elevated, Trolley & Traction Lines photos

[J. S. Bach]

Pretty interesting...two similar cars, one with a line-pole and one with the pantograph. I presume one equipped with a pantograph is able to operate at a greater speed than a trolley pole.

Not necessarily. The WB&A routinely operated at speeds over sixty and used poles with shoes. And the same with the CNS&M.

[healey36]

What is a pole with a shoe? Is that some sort of device that keeps the pole on the line? As a kid, I can recall riding in an automobile behind a streetcar in Baltimore, wondering why the pole didn't just jump off the line.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

What is a pole with a shoe? Is that some sort of device that keeps the pole on the line? As a kid, I can recall riding in an automobile behind a streetcar in Baltimore, wondering why the pole didn't just jump off the line.

Poles were in two general styles -- roller wheels and shoes

Roller wheels had wheels that turned with a groove in them for the wire to run in
Shoes were static fixtures that basically just had a groove in them for the wire to run in

[rogruth]

Didn't the spring pressure on the pole keep the wheel or shoe in contact with the wire?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Didn't the spring pressure on the pole keep the wheel or shoe in contact with the wire?

Yes; provided upwards pressure.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

[healey36]

Wow, that's crazy, but I'll bet very functional, presuming the car-length wasn't an issue.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Wow, that's crazy, but I'll bet very functional, presuming the car-length wasn't an issue.

Result of multiple marriages in the shop to make a work flat line car. If I had some curved sides about, this would be a fun project.

[healey36]

Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1898:



Haven't been to AC in a very long time.

[J. S. Bach]

...snip... If I had some curved sides about, this would be a fun project.

One of those Bachmann On2½ single-truckers could be sacrificed for the project; they are actually quite nice bodies.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1898

Haven't been to AC in a very long time.

It's changed.......and maybe not entirely for the better.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

...snip... If I had some curved sides about, this would be a fun project.

One of those Bachmann On2½ single-truckers could be sacrificed for the project; they are actually quite nice bodies.

Had not considered one of those as a donor; will have to take a look.

[healey36]

Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1898

Haven't been to AC in a very long time.

It's changed.......and maybe not entirely for the better.

I recently found a box of stuff left behind by my grandmother, and there was a bunch of Atlantic City guidebooks and souvenirs in there, mostly from the 1910-1930 era. Must have been quite a place back in the day. She had a sister and brother-in-law that lived in Jersey somewhere, don't remember where. I dimly remember her taking me on the train up from Baltimore once to visit them...must have been pretty young, probably four or so.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1898

Haven't been to AC in a very long time.

It's changed.......and maybe not entirely for the better.

I recently found a box of stuff left behind by my grandmother, and there was a bunch of Atlantic City guidebooks and souvenirs in there, mostly from the 1910-1930 era. Must have been quite a place back in the day. She had a sister and brother-in-law that lived in Jersey somewhere, don't remember where. I dimly remember her taking me on the train up from Baltimore once to visit them...must have been pretty young, probably four or so.

Been 40+ years since I was there; no real interest in returning.

[Rufus T. Firefly]