Sidney Short's Electric Tram (Denver, 1886)

This is a model of the electric streetcars built by Professor Sidney Short in 1886 for the city of Denver. Short's system used an underground conduit for current collection, and ultimately failed in the face of simpler and more efficient electric streetcar systems. The original system was built to a 3 foot, 6 inch gauge, this model has been widened to fit a standard HO gauge chassis. Included in the print are the "plows" for the conduit, and a pattern for forming the platform handrails out of wire. This model is designed to fit onto a 17mm wheelbase ARU powertruck (ARU Model C4025) available from online retailers like Plaza Japan. The bolster of this truck must be immobilized, and a drop of superglue on the centerpin/screw will do this. The power unit may then be mounted either by gluing the mounting tabs in place, or with 1M self tapping screws of 3mm to 5mm length.