Guide to Trolley Model Building

Reprint of a September 1958 publication. Mine arrived a day ago. Has fundamentals of model trolley/tram, and interurban, mechanical and electrical parts, both AC and DC, and workings, in the pre-digital age. Covers track and overhead constructions methods, including soldering, and reasons for employing some methods; those apply no matter the use of digital or not. Covers how to wire model cars to change direction by physically changing which end's trolley pole is raised, instead of changing track current. Also covers more control methods using overhead and track wiring. Has a couple pages listing model magazine articles on traction modeling in the 1938 to 1950 years. Several of those publications are of course long gone, but model Railroader, and Railroad model Craftsman, remain in business printing new and current issues. Is not much exaggeration to say this book averages 2 illustrations per page, be they photos, drawings, or diagrams. Has a two page glossary of electric traction terminology.

A classic work that may seem to be out-dated. But is more correctly thought of as being dated material.I find the classic methods of making your own line poles and the readers translation of the classic trolley car construction methods into todays materials like sheet and strip styrene, makes having this vintage material very worth while.Now that we seeing the first nice quality $500- $600 3d printers, laser cutters, and really good drag-blade craft cuttters multiply out there, the classic methods translate very well into use with our modern hobby tools. While you'll need other resources to make use of those new tools, here are the model construction methods you will be using with those new tools and materials.

Worth the price.

Reprint of 1958 book, but still useful information

EXCELLENT RESOURSE

This handbook was originally copyrighted by Wm. K. Walthers Inc. in 1950, and revised in 1953. I have a copy that is dated September, 1958 that I bought used on Amazon. The same photo is on the cover of this "2011" edition by Wildside Press. I have not seen inside this "2011" edition, but I rather suspect it is a reprint of the same material as in the older 1950's versions. The title page on my copy says "Prepared by the Traction Guild, Edited by William K. Walthers with the assistance of R.M. Wagner. Cover photo by the Milwaukee Sentinel."There is a lot of material of historic interest here, but as for building current trolley models, it is quite dated. The motors are all obsolete, for example. The materials are mostly obsolete, and of course there is no mention of DCC and modern control systems. I am working on a trolley project, and have not found much practical help in my copy of this book.It would be more helpful if Wildside Press would tell you exactly what this book contains, and if there is any new material at all in it.

Cool old school modeling guide from the 1950's when literally everything had to be hand made.