![[dan-truett-mcwhorter.jpg]](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_473nrD5vEv8/S5hAR2x0JVI/AAAAAAAACVo/caHZJMX-j9o/s400/dan-truett-mcwhorter.jpg)
Today's picture was taken in 1905 and shows a horse drawn trolley. The picture was taken in Palm Beach, Florida. The trolley travels on a track, and is pulled by a horse. I wonder what the advantage was of running on a track compared to a normal carriage.
Rolling resistance, no steering issues to reduce labor costs.
ReplyDelete-XC
PS - Word Verification was "Stable"
a predictable right of way route trying to bring order to the streets
ReplyDeleteAs a former traffic engineer I would agree with the anonymous poster. Generally speaking anything on a track has the right of way. This also decrease liability issues for the trolley companies. In theory anyway.
ReplyDeleteI would assume that one advantage of having a track would be to keep the trolly upright.
ReplyDeleteThe better roads of this period were only slightly better than the cow paths that they replaced. Additionally, the roads were not sealed so rains (Florida!) tended to make the road a muddy pothole infested trail. Some potholes became big and/or deep enough to tip a top heavy vehicle like a trolly.
I'm sure that it would be a lot smoother ride than bouncing over cobble stones.
ReplyDeleteIsn't this the answer to our energy crisis? ;-) I would love for this method of transport to come back into use!
ReplyDeletethink of all the crap in the road
ReplyDeleteThat is not crap, that is fertilizer.
ReplyDelete"I wonder what the advantage was of running on a track compared to a normal carriage." The same reason a train runs on a rail road track instead of a road!
ReplyDeleteThe track would keep the route consistent. Also, you wouldn't have to teach the driver as much or worry about him working side jobs. I remember taking a Greyhound bus from Canton to Syracuse, NY. The driver left the highway and went onto a narrow road. There he picked up a couple of women with empty shopping bags and dropped them off at the neighborhood grocer. I'd rode the route before and that wasn't part of it.
ReplyDeleteJohn