About 60 years after the rather inglorious demise of the streetcar in America´s cities, in which National City Lines, owned by GMC, Standard Oil and National Tyre played a doubtful role, is the streetcar gain conquering the city streets.
I am surprised to see that neither the industry nor the hobby magazines have picked up the issue - yet! Modeling the modern streetcar systems of Seattle, Portland, San Diego - you name it - is actually quite easy, as there is plenty of stuff around to do that!
Here are some pointers towards trains & track:
1. Streetcars
There are a number of different types available in HO scale, which are quite similar to the INEKON (formerly Tatra) cars used in Seattle and Portland, or those Siemens DUEWAG cars of San Diego.
Here are the resources:
Halling (Austria)
Hödl Linie 8
Roco
2. Track
Lunatram
Made by Tillig/Germany, sold in the US via Reynaulds and others.
So, if you are space-starved and have an interest in present day streetcars, why not give it a go!
Toronto, Ontario in Canadaland bought up all the castoffs from American cities when they dumped their streetcars, they have a vibrant track system and are now slowly looking to replace some older cars, not bad thinking in this day .
Bowser, Con-Cor and Bachmann have made PCC streetcars in HO
http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=Locomotive&scale=H&manu=&item=&keywords=pcc&words=restrict&instock=Q&split=210&Submit=Search
Also, some trolleys have been made
http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=Locomotive&scale=H&manu=&item=&keywords=trolley&words=restrict&instock=Q&split=210&Submit=Search
There have been a number articles in MR about traction layouts
Another info source is the Seashore Trolley Muesum in Kennebunkport, ME. They have a large collection of trollys, interurbans and busses, many of them restored and operational
http://www.trolleymuseum.org/
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Dont forget IHP that makes the.modern kawasaki cars and subway equipment
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
G PaineThere have been a number articles in MR about traction layouts
I remember seeing those articles in the late 1960´s and early 1970´s, but to my knowledge, there hasn´t been an article on modern transit systems.
It is certainly a niche in our hobby, but an interesting one!
Streetcar modelling is very niche, and when you consider that MR (for the most part) focuses on mainstream topics, it is no surprise that there are not that many articles about it.
Having wrote that, you could probably still find some sort of community for this, especially if you look for general transit modellers and enthisiasts. Since niche models generally don't make it into mainstream model production, you also tend to find more transit related things from the DIY circles, specialty kit makers, and 3D printing sites.
Although transit modelling is not what people ususally think of when discussing model trains, I think it is a great choice for someone who wants a simple, small urban layout. Streetcars and tram models are much shorter than most of the usual prototypes, have smaller turn radii, and can still use your choice of contol system (DC, DCC, ...).
I remember at a train show seeing a small urban layout (about the size of a ping-pong table), and it just had 2 CLRVs rolling through a couple routes in the streets. It turns out that there are a good amount of pics of CLRV models in the internet. So, even for a very unique prototype model, there are people making it work. I guess this hobby really is what you make of it.
The LION will probably post in this thread soon, and his subway modelling focus is pretty unique and somewhat niche.
Here are a few "still in print" MRR resources...
[1] Modeling electrified railroads (PDF)
[2] Traction Handbook for Model Railroads (Book)
[3] (The New) Dave's Electric Railoads (80+ Prototypes)
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
As tatans said, Toronto has a huge street car system. The 'Red Rockets' as they are affectionately known are famous.
The sleek new articulated cars are made in Thunder Bay, Ontario. One of their neat features is that they lower themselves to the ground at stops to make boarding easier.
I have an older Bachmann Red Rocket which I would love to incorporate into my layout but I haven't figured out how to make a loop fit into the plan.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Trolleyville
http://www.trolleyville.com/trolleyville.shtml
East Pemm Traction Club
http://www.eastpenn.org/
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
Washinton, DC to reinstall trolley service, (no kidding)
Just for some insight as to the bad management that plagues many of our cities such as Flint Michigan attached is a link to a story of Washington. DC's attempt to reinstall trolley service.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2016/02/18/fourth-mayors-the-charm-bowser-sets-d-c-streetcar-grand-opening-for-feb-27/
Bob
Don't Ever Give Up
Kind of similar if not close to the topic - does anyone make streetcars/light rail similar to these??
Thanks.
-Jon
Take a look at this extraordinary well made HO scale streetcar layout built by a Dutch transit fan.
How about building your own downtown district with a streetcar line running in the streets? Certainly different from the usual rural setting of our layouts.
New Orleans and San Francisco still run old cars on one line, (Garden District and Market St) at least they did the last time I was there in the last 10 years.
Baltimore used 5' 4 1/2" for track width. Several other cities had track gauges different than rail.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Having been born and raised in the city of Chicago, since 42', I can say I've experienced many rides in the cities street car system, even can relate some horror stories on the use of them...mainly due to vehicle accidents involving a streetcar. One in question was an all wood Brill and a vehicle run into it, causing the streetcar to catch fire and all the passengers could not get out...they had horizontal steel bars accross the windows to prevent people from hanging out the window's. The door opening mechanisms were jammed, so doors could not be opened....I need not say any more....It happened a half a block from My house. In a city the size of Chicago and all the vehicle traffic, they decided it was to dangerous to continue that kind of public trans.
I do recall when riding on those old Brills and They were noisy, if anything...they were running on brick streets.
Something to look at:
http://www.wbez.org/blogs/john-r-schmidt/2012-09/last-years-chicago-streetcars-102649
And don't forget Chicago's 'L':
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Loop_%28CTA%29
HO scale streetcar track:
http://www.proto87.com/easy-street-track-system.html
Take Care!
Frank
Frank ... I reall riding Chicago's electric buses.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
From Shapeways Z, N, HO, S, O
http://www.shapeways.com/search?q=streetcar&type=product
Heartland Division CB&Q Frank ... I reall riding Chicago's electric buses.
Me Too!! They were quieter! LOL
Sir Madog About 60 years after the rather inglorious demise of the streetcar in America´s cities, in which National City Lines, owned by GMC, Standard Oil and National Tyre played a doubtful role, is the streetcar gain conquering the city streets. I am surprised to see that neither the industry nor the hobby magazines have picked up the issue - yet! Modeling the modern streetcar systems of Seattle, Portland, San Diego - you name it - is actually quite easy, as there is plenty of stuff around to do that! Here are some pointers towards trains & track: 1. Streetcars There are a number of different types available in HO scale, which are quite similar to the INEKON (formerly Tatra) cars used in Seattle and Portland, or those Siemens DUEWAG cars of San Diego. Here are the resources: Halling (Austria) Hödl Linie 8 Roco 2. Track Lunatram Made by Tillig/Germany, sold in the US via Reynaulds and others. So, if you are space-starved and have an interest in present day streetcars, why not give it a go!
Ulrich,
First off, from a modeling standpoint, I like street cars, and plan to include some sort of trolley loop in my layout as I rebuild it. I model 1954.....the last days of the original systems in most American cities. And I grew and still live near Baltimore, a city with a colorful street car history and great street car museum.
http://www.baltimorestreetcar.org/
And, Baltimore, like many American cities has re-discovered surface street rail transportation - way back in 1992..........
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Light_Rail
But I would like to make few important points about street cars in the US.
With regard to the National City Lines scandle, there are reasons why they were not found guilty of being a transportation monopoly, and reasons why they were not heavily fined for the guilty charge of conspiring to monopolize sales of buses.
Simply put, buses were coming - with or without collusion from National City Lines, GMC and Firestone. Tracks in the streets were becoming a traffic problem, people were moving to the suburbs, ridership was down, buses were more flexible to meet changing rider needs, and the track infrastructure was aging and expensive to repair.
In Baltimore, part of the street car system were trackless trolleys before giving in to internal combustion engine buses - but it just did not work out - it only solved some of the problems of the street car.
Even today, Baltimore's light rail is a limited system with only a small portion of its trackage in the street. But most of the buses in Baltimore are now diesel electric hybrid.......
Fact is, most modern systems only have limited sections of their trackage in the streets...........
Cities need mass transit - no question - I have used the Washington DC METRO, it works great for a tour of downtown, or if you live and work in the city at an office job. But that does not relect the lives of most Americans - so I don't ever see mass transit being the transportation of choice for most Americans.
Most Americans live in the suburbs or rural suburbs, their daily activities are spread over large areas, often separated by lots of open space. I put 50 to 100 miles on my vehicle every day - on a slow day - there is not enough money in the world to build and maintain a public transportation system that could serve the needs of most of the US.
So, back to modeling - because the street car has not been a part of most Americans daily lives for more that 60 years, it is understandable that it is a niche aspect of the hobby. So those who would model present day mass transit of any kind is without question a small group - of course we do have the LION......
Sheldon
When I was a little shaver, I would ride the cars of the Shaker Rapid, part of the envisioned "planned community" of O.P. and M.J. Van Sweringen who became famous in the 1920s for buying up railroads for fun and profit.
Part of their remaining legacy lives today in Cleveland, Ohio's, Terminal Tower and RTA "Light Rail" system.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Sweringen_brothers
So... when I found one of these Bowser PCC gems at a closeout price I just had to have one.
Here's little 53 in the company of her bigger brothers!
Sometimes when I have visitors, they can see a sixteen-car Twentieth Century Limited breeze by doin' 80 per, then this little guy will come puttering along, bell clanging, right behind! Makes for a lot of smiles
Unfortunately, my city area doesn't include enough room for a street car system but it's fun to watch this yellow "dinky" traverse the layout on the "high iron".
Have Fun! Ed
They had those in Boston and Cambridge MA as well; then replaced tham for more 'modern' diesel busses.
They have one at Seashore Trolley Museumhttp://www.trolleymuseum.org/collection/browse.php?id=08361TMA
Bubule's Turtlefield N scale model railroad (thread in the layouts forum) has some beautiful modeling of Denver's modern day RTD light rail. I ride the light rail everyday when working in the office. He's done an amazing job of capturing the look and feel of the system.
I am really happy to see that a discussion of the topic has started!
On my own layout, I am not into modeling an urban transit system, but a Swiss narrow gauge line, just to be able to run my "Glacier Express". However, I find the idea of a present day urban streetcar layout intriguing. The interest was kindled when I accidentally ran into a view videos of the Seattle streetcar line. A quick search showed, that quite a number of US cities have invested into building up modern transit systems. I watched a video on the San Diego streetcars, which strongly remind me of the ones you see in Frankfurt/Germany.
In my country, streetcars have always played an important role, although a few systems closed down their lines in the 1960´s. The gas crisis in 1973 brought a change in attitude and since then, the good old streetcar has turned into a modern regional transit system in most cities. Today´s streetcars are a mix of subway (ususally, they run underground in downtown areas), traditional streetcars and rapid transit systems connecting towns and cities in a region. One of the world´s best (if not the best) systems is that of Karlsruhe.
My hometown, Hamburg, closed down its last streetcar line as late as 1978, but is contemplating to reinstate a few lines as an addition to the subway network.
I have ridden on light rail in Minneapolis many times when visiting, and enjoyed the experience.
Major metro areas across the US and Canada have implemented various light rail systems, which-in part- seem to replicate the old Budd RDC cars. It would be nice to see scale modelers who focus on contemporary modeling be able to incorporate light rail into their layouts. A small shelter, adjacent park and ride lots would be just enough to suggest (in scale) a larger system. Sounds like model railroading to me!
Cedarwoodron
big daydreamer Streetcar modelling is very niche, and when you consider that MR (for the most part) focuses on mainstream topics, it is no surprise that there are not that many articles about it.
Perhaps MR should have one "niche" article a month? It would make a change from another 4x8 track plan..although i'm very glad to see that they seem to be returning featuring more building plans (reading back through old issues it is rapidly becoming apparent to me I get more excited by the structures than the trains!).
Here in the UK a number of cities have added light rail / tram elements to their public transport networks (although many have suffered the same problems as Washington DC). In London where I live we have the Tube network which is reviled by most residents (who only see what is wrong with it) and loved by everyone else. The Tube suffers from being more than a hundred years old in parts and needs constant maintenance - even though it benefits from typical Victorian over-engineering.
One interesting factoid for all you Nerds out there - due to several of the original London Tube lines being built by American developers (who were, as a group, quite colourful), the Tube is the only rail system in the UK where they use American terminology - so "cars" rather than "carriages" and so on.
http://www.modelraillive.co.uk/layouts/abbey-road
dinwittyI'm building North Shore/ South Shore plus more and hope to share more here when it gets built more
I am not into streetcars myself, but I happen to live in the Washington DC suburbs and the street car is not dead:
http://www.dcstreetcar.com/
DC is launching a new street car on Feb 27 this year.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
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.
Being a resident of SE WI. , that North Shore Lines sounds like an interesting project. I live a block away from this:
http://www.easttroyrr.org/
Some of their cars came from the North Shore.
They have a neat little layout in the main museum, and have a presence in Milwaukee's Train Fest. I use to get occasional rides from the engineer in the late 50's, when it was an everyday freight operation, doing interchange with the SOO.
I'm not against urban transit possibilities, but for cities in the northeren states, it will be interesting to see how these work in the winter, which I always thought was one of the reasons that street cars met their demise.
Mike.
My You Tube
mbinsewiI'm not against urban transit possibilities, but for cities in the northeren states, it will be interesting to see how these work in the winter, which I always thought was one of the reasons that street cars met their demise.
I lived in Kitchner-Waterloo in the late sixtes,early seventies.
The main street of the two cities had rubber tired, over head electric powered buses. This would seem to me to prevent iceing problems on the non-existent rails.
I don't know if this system is still in use.