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Old-time trolley technology

Neal Augenstein | naugenstein@wtop.com

April 24, 2014, 1:51 PM

If it works, don't fix it "The basics of 600-volt direct current motors propelling the vehicles remain true through the entire trolley era," says Ken Rucker, director of the National Capital Trolley Museum (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
At first, hands only In the earliest street cars the motorman only used his hands to start and stop. Later models included foot pedals, says Ken Rucker of the National Capital Trolley Museum (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
New developments in the early 1900s The early 1900s saw the boon of street car travel, including new technologies like foot pedals, in the Washington area and around the country. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
Don't have the exact fare? Since street cars were largely operated with foot pedals, for years operators could make change at the same time (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
No overhead wires needed Due to a ban on overhead trolley wires in Manhattan and downtown DC, some streetcars got power from a conduit in between the rails (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
Preserving the trolley era Streetcar Hall at the National Capital Trolley Museum affords a look at several models in a single building (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
A challenging commute In the early 1900s, seats were made of rattan. Frayed rattan sometimes caught and tore passengers' clothing (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
Ahhh, vinyl The final street cars to run through the Washington area in 1962 had seats made of vinyl, says Ken Rucker of the National Capital Trolley Museum (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
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