Interurbans are trains too!

Randy Stahl Sep 1, 2013

  1. Mike Slater

    Mike Slater TrainBoard Member

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    What you guys are doing for the CNS&M is wonderfully in N-Scale is Great, however us that are in larger scales would like to see a lot of this in HO and O scale, is there a way we can work together as a team to release these models in larger scales, if you do not want to do the cad modifications I can understand, however I might be able to make the modifications for HO & O scale, I also do have copies of the actual 3 trailer flatcar blueprints for the CNS&M however maybe some of your work could help release that flatcar in all scales also. Can we all work together to model the North Shore Line in All Scales?

    Mike Slater
     
  2. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    I agree that North Shore models need to be available in all the scales. That said, I have everything I've shown in N scale also in HO scale. Model Traction supply, Midwest Car company, Suydam, Nickle plate products, Con Cor etc. I even have some pieces in O scale. IMHO the best scale for model trolleys is in fact O scale, but I'm having a lot of fun with the N scale !

    A couple things I am missing in N scale that I have in HO scale are the wooden NSL interurbans (MTS), and the 458 and 459 four truck locomotives (Midwest).

    Interurban models would be the one I would contact first, He usually does an HO scale model before he does the N scale version. The last product he did was the EWECO (Eastern Wisconsin Power Co/ WP&L Wisconsin Power and light) cars and a fox river valley/ Speedrail car. He also has available the Cincinnati Speedrail curveside cars.

    I'm certain that Peter Harris at N Scale kits would be interested in the 1500 series TOFC cars from the NSL. I do not however expect him to make the HO scale version however its worth a shot.

    On Shapeways there are HO cars available if you search for them. I know there are coaches and dining cars including the 415. Be warned though, they are not easy to prep to get a smooth model.

    Interurbans are fun !!!
     
  3. Mike Slater

    Mike Slater TrainBoard Member

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    I have the 1500 thru 1503 in HO Scale MTS imports, my plan is to do the 1504+ 3 trailer flats, however I also need to do the 1500-1503 flats for some friends,

    Interurban models is a great person, and he dose great work, we ran one of his Milwaukee HOP prototype sets on the North West Traction group layout at the 2019 East Penn Trolley meet. I am also working on having a decal set produced for the 1500-1503 flats and trailers, and the decals can be printed in any scale, also I will be doing a run of decals for the Buy US War Bonds MD Cars in a few weeks....... Us trolley modelers need to work together in any and all scales
     
  4. Mike Slater

    Mike Slater TrainBoard Member

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    Not to steel the thread, with a ho scale model, but here is my HO scale Ferry Truck train, going over the Root River Bridge Module I built last year. This module is planned at being at the East Penn Trolley Meet in October


    ferry truck.jpg
     
  5. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Wow, that's beautiful Mike! (y)
     
  6. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    I agree. It is a pity that more photo's of the North Shore TOFC operation don't exist but after all they did run at night.
     
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  7. Mike Slater

    Mike Slater TrainBoard Member

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    rare daylight view of a passing train

    ferry truck 111.jpg
     
  8. jtomstarr

    jtomstarr TrainBoard Member

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    All,
    I Trust all is well and that you all are Safe and Healthy. Here is a map of The predecessors and The Actual Gauge of The BUFFALO and ERIE -B & E. , B . & L . E. RR &T. Co.

    Tom

    ERIE RR's Gauge war ..On THE BUFFALO & LAKE ERIE RR & T. Co..jpg
     
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  9. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    Another shot of the Houston North Shore Railway. November 6, 1947. Leonard Rice photo.
    Nov. 6, 1947, shot by Leonard Rice.jpg
     
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  10. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    The Chicago, Aurora & Elgin's terminal in Chicago was at Wells Street. My book A Guide To Chicago's Train Stations (c. 1986 by Susan Wolfson and Ira J. Bach) says that it was built in the 1920s. The two upper "floors" were merely a facade; a road like the CA&E didn't need a large waiting room for its frequent interurban trains that ran to the western suburbs. The station was closed in 1953, partially demolished in 1955 and the rest razed in 1964.

    [​IMG]

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  11. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    I like this car.
     
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  12. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    Recently I read that the first electric urban lines were in Milwaukee. Anyone know if this is true or just wishful thinking?
    It was in an article about converting cars to electric.
     
  13. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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  14. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    The Milwaukee light heat and traction was began in 1896 for the purpose of expanding both rail lines and electric power outside of the city of Milwaukee.

    MLH&T was to own property and construct the rail lines and power corridors. None of the interurban lines out of Milwaukee were built for several years after.

    Prior to 1896 there were already suburban and interurban lines operating so I don't think Milwaukee was one of the first. The Chacago and Milwaukee Electric was operating between Waukegan and N Chicago and Evanston in 1893.

    Randy
     
  15. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Liked that Zenith Radio & Television sign. They were king back then!
     
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  16. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    When did the Chicago, North Shore start? Didn't it go all the way to Milwaukee?
     
  17. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    :) The Quality Goes In Before The Name Goes On, right? My grandmother had a Zenith console TV .... with a remote control. Thought it was the coolest thing at the time.(y)
     
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  18. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    The Chicago and Milwaukee electric was bankrupt in 1916 and Sam Insull bought it at that time and changed the name to Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee. The line had been in operation for several years and while in receivership in 1915 bought the very first steel interurban cars for the line.
     
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  19. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    Randy, thanks for the information. I did feel it was a bit of misinformation. Like Milwaukee invented the motorcycle. :LOL:
     
  20. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    In fact the first development of the electric street railway in Wisconsin wasn't done in Milwaukee at all. It was developed in Appleton along with the first Edison hydroelectric central generating plant.

    Milwaukee is known for several technologies in power generation however. The use of pulverized coal for more efficient combustion was perfected at the East Wells street power plant and later a new power plant was built to use the new tech. The Lakeside power plant was the first plant to use Pulverized coal.
     

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