Trolleys, Interurbans, Electrics
Fantastic traction that served the nation's urban centers, suburbs, and intercity travel.
Intrepid Trolleys of the 1950s: Washington DC, Baltimore, Atlantic City & Boston
Intrepid Trolleys of the 1950s: Washington DC, Baltimore, Atlantic City & Boston
Trolley service in Washington DC ran for 100 years, 1862 to 1962. An electrical conduit buried beneath the streets powered the cars so that overhead wires would not mar historic sights like the Capitol Building and White House.
Americans in many east coast cities and suburbs once relied on trolley service for transportation. Although “light rail” has become a buzzword today, this film proves its roots are in the intrepid trolley travel of the 1950s!
Heading out of town, trolleys stopped at Plow Pits to transfer to overhead power. The 5’ 4-1/2” gauge of the Baltimore trolley system was the widest in America. The brightly painted PCC cars on the high speed Sparrows Point Line cross the picturesque Bear Creek Trestle to the steel mills.
In Atlantic City, “The Miss America Fleet” runs down Atlantic Avenue along the boardwalk. Ride inside the cars, dodging people and traffic!
In Boston, the orange and cream PCCs of the fabled “MTA” are shown on many of the routes still in service today, starting from Park St. Station, the oldest subway stop in the nation.
Color, 38 minutes. Filmed by Frank Pfuhler, Jr.