100 Years Of Capital Traction: The Story of Streetcars in the Nation's Capital

Plot

Fascinating and detailed history of the Washington, DC trolley system from its beginnings in 1862 with horse drawn cars through its abandonment in 1955. Covers the early years (when there were cable cars and experimental electrics), the search for an alternative to overhead wires, the growth of the system and its effect on Washington's development, the beautiful fleet of streamlined cars that ran in the 1940s and 1950s, and the death of the system. Also covers car barns, power supply, and underground conduit system. With a complete illustrated roster of all the electric cars. Illustrated throughout with over 700 black and white (and a few color) photos; frontispiece by noted railroad painter Howard Fogg. With 17 rare or specially created maps, schematic diagrams by Andrew Maginnis, fare and route data, and bibliography. 331 pages with index.