I really like streetcars on layouts. One of the benefits is the tight turn radius you can take advantage of and fit them in tight places. I like my PCC Pittsburgh streetcar. With such a small layout, it helps add variety and interest.
Sir Madog I am surprised to see that US cities seem to favor INEKON streetcars. INEKON is the successor of CKD Tatra in Prague/Czech Republic. Tatra used to be the sole supplier of streetcars based on the PCC-design to all of the Eastern Block countries, including the Soviet Union. Those were simple, but rugged cars.
I am surprised to see that US cities seem to favor INEKON streetcars. INEKON is the successor of CKD Tatra in Prague/Czech Republic. Tatra used to be the sole supplier of streetcars based on the PCC-design to all of the Eastern Block countries, including the Soviet Union. Those were simple, but rugged cars.
The INEKON streetcars are most certainly 21st century state of the art, but also cheaper than those Siemens or Bombardier streetcars.
In the Philadelphia area, they used machines like this:
http://pa-trolley.org/collection/philadelphia-suburban-transportation-company-snow-sweeper-4/
to clear the tracks.
Eric
My own Moose Bay Transit Authority runs a pair of streetcars. This is an older Bowser model, all metal.
This one is from Bachmann. It's a Peter Witt model.
My inspiration was the streetcars of Boston. They also run underground, hence their inclusion in my subway system. I don't run them under wire, though.
The San Francisco system is a living museum. The streetcars (not to be confused with the cable cars) have been purchased from many other American cities which abandoned their own systems. The cars have been lovingly restored, and each conductor knows the history of the car he's on. The oak and mahogany panels and old-fashioned seats are a far cry from the steel and plastic of modern systems. It's a working streetcar line that commuters use every day, but at the same time it's part of history.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
gmpullman So... when I found one of these Bowser PCC gems at a closeout price I just had to have one.
So... when I found one of these Bowser PCC gems at a closeout price I just had to have one.
Ed,
I picked up a non-sound version of one of these jewels (Shaker, of course) and installed a TCS Mx decoder into it. LOVE the brakelight feature!
Bowser did a really GREAT job with these PCCs. I may have to consider either adding a trolley to my next layout...or...making a separate trolley layout altogether.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Just found a video of an HO scale model of the INEKON Washington/DC streetcar!
The model is made by M & L Modely tramvaji and is available as either a kit or RTR, but not cheap! With a different paint job, it can easily be transformed into the Seattle or Portland version.
It IS a great model, Tom. There were times when leaving Shaker Square headed for Kingsbury Run that I thought we were doing a cool 60 MPH on that long grade
It's a bit of a pity the motor couldn't have been hidden a little better, or maybe the side window glass tinted just a bit. But the car runs just fine and the pickup is great. There's hardly any hesitation even on some unpowered frogs.
I have the OEM Tsunami in it. I see the newer ones have Loksound I wish they included a horn, though. I recall a fairly loud honker used on occasion for those stubborn motorists.
Take Care, Ed
I guess NPR is following this thread. I heard this story on the way home yesterday.
http://www.npr.org/2016/02/23/467813006/revived-streetcars-may-be-on-track-for-disappointment
Sir Madog The INEKON streetcars are most certainly 21st century state of the art, but also cheaper than those Siemens or Bombardier streetcars.
Here is a link to their Streetcar division site,
http://www.brookvillecorp.com/streetcar-division.asp
James Sanchez
Look at this!
Anyone for burned fingers, soldering all those wires?
I operate these Bachmann streetcars on my layout. I still do not have the overhead wires installed. The main reason for the long delay is I work on other parts of the layout when I have time for such stuff. Also, I'm concerned the wires with poles ould be in my way when I clean the rails.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Carnegie Falls I guess NPR is following this thread. I heard this story on the way home yesterday. http://www.npr.org/2016/02/23/467813006/revived-streetcars-may-be-on-track-for-disappointment
One of the strong points of the "light rail" system in Baltimore is that most of the line is on its own right of way, with limited sections actually in the street with the cars.
I have always thought that a street grid laid out with separate right of way for "trolleys" would work great. Cross street traffic signals could be coordinated with train movements, with only major streets crossing the right of way.
But I do think that trolleys that are fully "in the street" are not the best idea for modern cities - at least not in the USA where too many people MUST take their car into the city because no mass transit connects their suburban neighborhoods with the city.
Sheldon
Traction modeling has always been a niche but was once a more common part of the hobby--if you read 1940s-60s issues of MR there are frequent articles and advertisements for streetcar and interurban equipment. I model Sacramento Northern, a mixture of diesel and electric, mostly freight but with occasional "fan trip" passenger runs. Interurbans were bigger than streetcars and ran longer runs (kind of like "light rail" in size and speed) and often functioned like small steam railroads.