So I'm writing a book about NY City Trolleys

Classic Trains General Discussion
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Hi, various months have passed since when i first posted about the book, and at the moment i’ve achieved differing results: on one side, i’ve been gathering a vaste amount of information that almost complete a roster of all NYC trolleys for the whole electric era; on the other one, i’ve still not wrote anything meaningful, especially as i’ve been working on another project about Montreal tramways (note that i was working on that even before writing here).

All the questions i posed are now solved, but i have other questions of a different nature:

  • how does one propose his books to a publisher? And does the publisher pay for the photo rights?
  • is NYC trolleys a topic that still interest the railfan public enough for a publisher to produce my book?
  • who owns the rights of the large collections of photos like the B Linder one? I’ve seen that most of the owners sadly passed away in the last few years

This said, by the end of this week i’m going to finish school for this year, and so i’ll start to write the NYC book, and obviously I’ll post here a part of the work

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Very nice system though

Some years ago I searched upon Leeds trams and i found a varied and interesting system. I was also tempted to buy the book especially devoted to the 60+ liveries that it said to have existed in the 1940’s/50’s (

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I’d start by drafting a one page outline of what such a book would be about. What’s your thesis? What are you going to say? Next, how many photos or other illustrations will it take to support your thesis or make the point you want to make? Where will you get them, and how will you get the necessary permissions? All this on one sheet of paper. Then you need to know what audience you’re aiming for. People into local history or people into trolleys? They are very different audiences. Or are you one of those enthusiasts who enjoy compiling lists of trolley-related things and then hoping to share them? Books like that tend not to be big sellers for an obvious reason.

Then I’d contact two different kinds of potential publishers. First, local or regional historical societies. I’m not familiar with the specifics of the NYC area, but you might try New York Historical (that’s the new name of the former New-York Historical Society) or the Museum of the City of New York. My guess is they won’t be interested, but who knows? Maybe they will tell you something valuable or that you need to hear. Look into small local historical societies in the outer boroughs, etc. Or do this: narrow your topic to, say, Bronxville Trolleys, or Trolleys at Coney Island, or Flatbush Trolleys. You get the idea. Covering all of NYC will be huge topic and task.

The second group I’d send that one page outline to would be publishers who already produce books on similar topics. Their replies will be enlightening if not encouraging.

However, before you start contacting busy people and running your proposal by them, get familiar with Chat GPT. Your one page outline can’t have any grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors–and in your post I see a few.

Well, you asked. Good luck.

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Hi, thanks for answering.

My book has the goal to catalogue all electric trolleys that operated in the five boroughs since the start of the electric era (1890’s) all the way to its end (1957, closure of the Queensboro bridge line); as far as i know such a work has never been done in the past.

Clearily, the book can only interest someone who is into trolleys, and i’m writing it mostly for my enjoyment, although as said i also hope to publish it.

As for the photos, i’ve done some research and i found that most of those published on the Electric Railway Journal are free to use, and i have also been granted the right to use the photo on the site “Dave’s electric railways” by its owner; adding to this the fact that the book will contain drawings of almost all types of cars (made by me), the photos have a relatively minor role, but i still need some 20-25 especially referring to the 1930’s, as none of my two sources images from the era

I hope that this made the whole situation a bit more clear, if you have other question or suggestions please write them

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I have shown up and recently re-activated the Convertibles and semi-convertibles thread. Just scroll through, and you’ll find lots of information on that thread. Other threads are All the Brooklyn PCC pictures you could possibly want, Third Avenue Transit Second-hand cars, and Third Avenue Transit homemade lightweight cars, and Yonkers. You must visit the Share Line Trolley Museum, www.shoreline.trolley.org. and photograph and ride authentic restored and preserved New York City streetcars, including a Brooklyn convertible and PCC and Peter Witt, a Third Avenue lightweight that served Manhattan, The Bronx, and Vienna, and a convertible that served tThe Bronx, You are welcome to contact this 93±year old at ddaveklepper1@gmail.com for specific information Here are two of Jack May’s recent color photos at the museum.

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The previous posting showed Jack May’s photo of year 1939 65th Street carhouse-and-shop-built 629 at Branford (Shore Line Trolley Museum, www.shorelinetrolley.org) . Below a picture of it not-yet restored to Third Avenue style after return from Vienna to USA in 1967, and a March 1947 photo at City Hall Manhattan oat the southern terminal of the “T” Third & Amsterdam Avenues Line.

The black bottom of the front at Branford is actually a mistake that I hope will be corrected at the next paint renewal. 629 may have had the black-front-bottom in its last few months in 1948 with the April 1947-installed trolley poles in The Bronx becaose West Farms shopmen painted it to match the 102-200 and 201-400 lightweights, but the different skirting on 626-685 (and applied retroactively to 101 as a test) was the same maroon as the steps to provide a more modern appearance, similar to the Broadway-42nd Street 551-625 “Huffliners” Another car of this series are shown as further proof,

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Not just streetcar fans. Others interested in New York City’s history, and those writing history will use it as a reference to insure details they use are accurate. Ditto writers iof fiction.

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Hi Dave
I’ve already seen that you replied, but I didn’t had the time to answer until now.

At first, let me say that I find it a honor the fact of being able to talk with somebody who has first hand memories of the streetcars, especially considering that NYC’s system began to disappear relatively early.

My project is that of a book that catalogues the rosters of all trolley companies that operated city passenger trolley service in NYC (including companies as early as Nassau electric Rr or Brooklyn City Rr, and excluding not-properly-urban operators like ocean railway); almost all types of cars (passenger and, where possible, also the work ones) will be accompaigned by color drawings made by me.
Not being from NYC (and not even american by the way) i can’t focus too much on aspects more connected with the city’s history, but I think that an overall map and list of all past routes woth modern bus equivalents is possible.
The major issue in this project, especially if i hope to make something that a publisher could be interested to publish, is the lack of photos, especially those of the 1925-1945 era, and so i ask you my first question: do you have an ypur collection of good photos, and, if yes, is it possible to use them in my book?

This said, I also have some questions more connected with rolling stock, and the three that i can think of now are these:

-do you have a register of B&QT cars withdrawal dates?

-do you know the color of the green lines/ny railways “roundel” logo? (The one used after 1926 and until the end)

-do you know something about the second ave rr.? (That remains the sole company of which I don’t have the roster)

Also, of the above two photos that you sent, i can’t but notice Union railways car 316: is that an original union car? And wasn’t their livery green?

Best regards, M. Tozzetti

P.s. not being English my first language, a message, especially one as long as this one, will definitely contain various grammar errors; obviously, the book will be subject to a way more strict check.

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Also, having complete my last school exam, I’ve now much more free time in my hands, and so by this afternoon the actual writing of the book will start

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For specific abswers for the questions:

Third Avenue and Union Ry. and possibly 2nd Avenue:

Jack May, jackmay135 jackmay135@gmail.com

Other matters:

Henry Raudenbush <raudenrail@msn.com>

ERIC OSZUSTOWICZ <erico26385@aol.com>

Nate Gerstein <atsnate@comcast.net>

Joseph Frank <nyctransitmodeler@msn.com>

If you email me at ddaveklepper1@gmail.com, I’ll be happy to send my complete collection of New York City streetcar photos, any of which you can use, and all I’d ask for is attribution. Most photos were 1948-1950, but all except the Queensboro Bridge 2nd-hand New Bedford Osgood Bradley cars, were running in New York Cityt by 1939, when the last Third Avenue lightweights were built. This will be a major project for me, many emasil transmittals, but the pdf format will save time if you can used itl

I understand that tiny fraction of all the photos will be used in your book, but you’ll be ab,e to pickthose most suited.

Do you the simole wsay of obtaining perfect jpg ot bmp images from pdf documents?"

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Dave, get a 64GB SD card or USB stick, copy the files on it (in multiple formats if desired), and just send him that in the mail.
Room left over for files or other information.

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Or
Sign up for the free version of Dropbox. I’ve been using it for years to send larger files that are too large to attach to email. You have a 2 gb storage limit in the basic (free) version so once your recipient downloads what he needs you can then delete those files to free space and upload more files, repeat as necessary.

I also keep all my JMRI roster info on there as a backup plus I can access the files anywhere I have an internet connection.

TARS1221.Fordham.Webster by Charles Warren, on Flickr

A Freedom Train bonus!

TARS887.Freedom.Train by Charles Warren, on Flickr

Good Luck, Ed

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Hi

Thanks, I’ll write to these emails as soon as i can.

As for the photos, my email address is tozzettimarco65@gmail.com

Best
M. Tozzetti

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