One of the challenges faced by The Lehigh Valley Transit Company was keeping the tracks cleared of snow during long winters. Special cars were constructed with huge plows for that purpose, plus some regular passenger cars had small plows mounted on the front for continuous cleanup. Shown above is a special plow car stored at the Fairview Yard.
The trolley system required much more infrastructure than later buses. Shown here is track intersection being constructed in center city Bethlehem. Corresponding electric lines would have to be constructed overhead to power the cars. For your viewing pleasure, here is an introduction to an available video by Gerhard Salomon on the service in Easton.
More information on The Rockhill Trolley Museum
very interesting -- isn't it too bad no one had the foresight to stay with electric transit instead of going full speed to gasoline. How many wars, spills, environmental damage and pollution we could have avoided.
ReplyDeletei've been told that GM spent big bucks in the late 40's and early 50's to lobby their buses to the municipalities. trolleys tracks did not need the degree of maintenance or construction necessary for heavy train rail use. i find the current trend to convert old rail beds to bike paths short sighted; for the possible future of light rail.
ReplyDeleteMM, I enjoy these posts immensely, and I agree with you re paths/light rail in urban areas. I'd still convert all I could in rural areas as I think that helps prevent them from being developed.
ReplyDeleteanon 10:29, i disagree about the rural area's. relinquishing the right of way, and tearing up the tracks, only prevents future interurban light rail.
ReplyDeleteMr. Ledebur,
ReplyDeleteI imagine you and your ideology are having a field day with current events in the Gulf.
ROLF OELER
rolf, i had some hesitation about your comment, being off topic of trolleys, and somewhat baiting mr. ledebur. i published it as a opportunity to reveal that I, as a consequence of the gulf leak, would favor a moratorium on ocean drilling, until which time the disaster technology catches up with the drilling technology. the gulf of mexico is calm compared with the north sea. if we cannot stop a leak in the gulf, there would be no hope in more turbulent waters.
ReplyDeleteI believe that all the railbed's deeds contain language that allows them to be taken back. I know that the local deeds do, as well as deeds in Hunterdon County, NJ when I lived there.
ReplyDeleteRolf: this is not a game. taking care of our environment, our children and the future is our duty. some try to make a game out of right vs. left, liberals vs. conservatives. It may be great sport but I will try to abstain. Molovinsky's comment on waiting for the disaster technology to equal the drilling technology is prudent.
ReplyDeleteDo you know where the picture showing the trolley infrastructure was taken? It looks like Broad Street.
ReplyDeletekaren, the photograph is from a collection on bethlehem, and may well be broad street.
ReplyDelete