The Time of the Trolley

Originally published in 1967 in one volume, The Time of the Trolley was reissued in 1987 (the centennial of trolleys in the US) by Golden West Books in three revised and expanded volumes. This is Volume 1 in that series, covering the street railway from the original horsecars to the new light rails. Middleton describes how the humble horse car was replaced by Frank Sprague's perfection of the electric street railway which dominated municipal transportation until Henry Ford. The author describes trolley technology, life aboard the cars, the expansion across the country until there were 26,000 miles of street railway, and how streetcars -- by allowing people to live in the suburbs -- helped to create the modern city. Illustrated throughout with over 350 black and white photos. Includes list of principle car builders and suppliers, current systems, and trolley museums. With bibliography and index. 238 pages.