Interurbans are trains too!

Randy Stahl Sep 1, 2013

  1. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    This brings back memories for me as well. My first house in West Allis (sub or Milwaukee) was two block from the main building for the interurban. One block south of Wisconsin State Fair Park. There were three very large rosettes for the power to the over head lines. It went southwest to Big Bend were there's still signs of it. Then on along the Fox River to Mukwonago were there's still the piers for the duel tracks to cross. Just beond US43 & 83 is were the tracks still exist and go on to East Troy were they end. There is a repair shed filled with old rail cars and two interurban cars. Also a depot were you can ride back to Elegant Farms Mart in Mukwonago. There's still over head lines and they want to run the interurbans again.
    These were not just for freight but also took the big wigs to there big lake cottages. And the POWs to there jobs.
     
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  2. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    I suggest the book "TM" by Joseph Canfield. CERA bulleting 112. It covers the Milwaukee system. Including the carhouse at 84th and Lapham in West Allis.
     
  3. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I believe you are referring to Central Electric Railfans' Association. As a non-member I seem to be limited to the larger cities. Nice prices but will I need to become a member for more? I'm not to interested in that kind of rail but, may want to build a sample of the road from 84th and Lapham to East Troy. I lived at 86th and Orchard and then on Eagle Springs Lake.
    This will have to be in HO.
     
  4. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'm actually from East Troy Wis. I encourage you to take a look through this thread. There is a lot of info here.
     
  5. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    Its a great time to be in N Scale !!! I grew up watching this car pull the freight trains into town, Obviously I would be remiss if I didn't buy it . et60.jpg

    Here is the link to 3rd boxcar and his extensive collection of interurban cars. Many of the photo's I posted here are his products.


    TMER&L M-15 (UC2M6RC6G) by 3rdboxcar (shapeways.com)
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2021
  6. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Are you healing up now?
     
  7. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well, sort of , I'm still pretty bruised but it is somewhat better. I keep re- injuring myself.
     
  8. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    :eek::eek::eek: If I am ever in your vicinity, please remind me to stand at least ten feet away from you.....
     
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  9. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'm not sure how I ended up with three Electroliners but. I'f anyone else wants one here are the materials I used to this point. I used several different grits of sandpaper and several coats of Mr. Surfacer.

    I do not know how much I would or should sell one for because of all the labor to smooth out the prints. thumbnail_IMG_0394.jpg
     
  10. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    Completed in 1927, the Houston North Shore Railway was the last new interurban electric railway to be built in the United States. It was the only electric traction operation the the Houston area to make it past WWII. While the Galveston-Houston Electric was a high speed mostly straight line route, the HNS was a meandering 33 mile route between Houston and Goose Creek running a small fleet of light weight passenger cars and a substantial amount of freight. Even before the line was complete, it was sold to the Missouri Pacific who saw the great potential for a freight feeder line for its system. Mostly because it ran right by the huge Humble Oil refinery in Baytown. In the MoPac system it was called the electric division of the Mop subsidiary Beaumont, Sour Lake & Western.

    img20210418_16464954.jpg img20210418_16482969.jpg
     
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  11. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    The housings on the locomotive look like N scale worm gear covers.
    It would be a neat model I think. thumbnail_606 Line car.jpg

    THe North Shore lives in Great Britain !
    David added some nice touches like a line crew. I like it !
     
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  12. gmorider

    gmorider TrainBoard Member

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    Interesting! You guys stop it! I can't get anything done now and I can resist anything but temptation. :rolleyes:
     
  13. tonkphilip

    tonkphilip TrainBoard Member

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    Gmorider, Aha, a great British thought from Oscar Wilde, "I can resist everything except temptation". He might not have been thinking about Interurban cars but why not! - Tonkphilip
     
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  14. Montgomery

    Montgomery TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Randy for posting that.....it is finished and lightly weathered, though the numbers should be black not silver, but that's all I have a the moment (they will get changed!!).

    When the North Shore closed, the section in the south closest to Chicago bacame part of the CTA network, operating as the 'Skokie Swift'. It was run with I-50 cars using the overhead trolley wires (now all 3rd rail). These cars are available 3D printed, so painted up a couple to run as something slightly different

    Regards
    David
    (North Yorks, UK) I-50 car sm.jpg
     
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  15. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    You did a nice job on this model !!!
     
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  16. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    There are a lot of decals on the electroliner. I have just started the decaling process. Not for the faint of heart for sure.
    [​IMG]
     

    Attached Files:

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  17. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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  18. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    thumbnail_IMG_0434.jpg

    As far back as 1926 the North Shore line had mechanical refrigeration on a series of interurban cars. This is my attempt to duplicate them. Its getting there...
     
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  19. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    Would like to have one of those and a matching boxcar. Of course the power unit would help.
     
  20. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have ended up with some spare North Shore Electroliner stuff. I am willing to sell the unpowered display model for my break even price of $230.00 ea.

    PM me if you want one.

    Randy thumbnail_IMG_0244.jpg
     

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