"Trolley" ride through Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA

[tangerine-jack]

Bob, we've got a bunch of these things running around the entire area in regular transit service. They are particularly popular with the tourist at the ocean front during the summer. I would like to model one for the railroad; I think its one fine looking trolley!

And yes, the girls and I all had a blast! I didn't realize that Portsmouth was the first properly planned city in the New World, and that Portsmouth Naval Hospital is the oldest continuously used hospital in America. Portsmouth also has the largest assemblage (several dozen) of original architecture homes from the Colonial period.


John, never fear about the Dalek. I was threatened with "extermination" if I tampered with it........sooo, I'll just have to get another power block..........if I want to stay healthy that is...........

[John Busby]

Hi TJ
We have something similar in Perth and I know there is one in Sydney
as well.
I think Toenail Ridge still has the real thing in his neck of the woods
Please don't demoli***he Dalek for its motor you spent so much time making it.
It would be a shame to do that.
regards John

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Those trolley busses are fairly numerous. Cape May Ferry has some, I've seen them in Philly, KC, & Florida, Probably have a builder's plate somewhere on them. Point is I'd think it might make modelling easier with builder's dimensions or plans to work from; and builder's plate would give you info on where to write!

For those of you on the Eastern bank of the pond, that's in Virginia rather than Nelson's home port!

TJ, the girls look like they're having a ball!

[tangerine-jack]

Yes, in fact I've been emailing Troy fairly regularly. I'm hoping he can give me some pointers on modeling this thing. A commercialy available kit would be a good start.......

Ben, it's already been a great Christmas season. I'm hoping I can come and visit you again in the early summer of next year.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

TJ, Troy could probably give you a lot of advise on that project. Have you seen the latest tram?

[Anonymous]

TJ
Thanks for sharing your pictures , and you and your family have a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR . Ben [:)] hope you get lots of train things

[tangerine-jack]

We went out on a cold and blustery day (very British) for a trolley ride through Old Towne Portsmouth. The trolley stop has a very English feel, as can be seen by the phone booth, yes it even works.





Ok, so the trolley is really a bus, but it’s the closest thing we got, so as far as I’m concerned, it counts!




Here are a few more shots of the 350 hp “trolley”. It is in fact made out of real wood and has a functional clerestory.




I like these seats, they are enameled cast iron. The passenger capacity is around 26.




This is a shot of the earliest known cast iron work in the New World. It dates to about 1756.



Here is the proof the war was an invasion. Glass by Tiffany.


It was a very fun ride and I learned a lot of history. It was time well spent. OK, so no rails, but we can’t have everything now can we? Before everybody screams "fake", I was thinking of modeling this thing for the Dixie D SL. All I'd have to do is add an apropriate power truck (something like what would be salvaged from a rocket sled perhaps) and build a suitable superstructure. Nothing to it, right?