Model Train Journal

This trolley sold for $1,009.99 on November 30th:
Ebay #317578678787, O SCALE Custom Built Utica interurban/trolley C/P NO RESERVE

I'm pretty ignorant about trolleys so I'm hoping someone could explain what made this model so valuable? I assume it's a model of a car from the Utica Ave line in Brooklyn -- but I'm not really sure because I'm ignorant about trolleys. Were no commercial models made of this prototype?

Quality finished trolley/traction models command pretty hefty prices; just not that many ever produced in brass or otherwise, and fewer still in RTR state. $600+ is not a surprise for an exceptional powered model; more for a finished model. This one also appears to be well detailed inside and exterior. Interesting that it was set up for track power and not overhead. That actually opens it up to more potential buyers, I'd think.

Were no commercial models made of this prototype?

Highly unlikely. At best there might have been a car body in some material produced that could have served as a starting point for this particular model.

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:At best there might have been a car body in some material produced that could have served as a starting point for this particular model.

That's interesting. I'd assumed there had been NYC trolley models made given how many potential modelers there are, but it seems that the only commercial models made were the Corgey unpowered 1:50 scale Birneys and PCCs. There are a ton of different NYC bus models available though.

Looking at the model, I'm now curious about how the loading worked. The car appears to be double ended, but the front and center door would make loading interesting when the car is running in reverse. I'll have to look for a video to see how that worked.

Chris Webster wrote:

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:At best there might have been a car body in some material produced that could have served as a starting point for this particular model.

That's interesting. I'd assumed there had been NYC trolley models made given how many potential modelers there are, but it seems that the only commercial models made were the Corgey unpowered 1:50 scale Birneys and PCCs. There are a ton of different NYC bus models available though.

Looking at the model, I'm now curious about how the loading worked. The car appears to be double ended, but the front and center door would make loading interesting when the car is running in reverse. I'll have to look for a video to see how that worked.

There were brass PCC imports in several versions and the double end version by Car Works, but nothing other than raw brass bodies. There's one variant on eBay now:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/336303053196?_ ... &recoPos=8

Not powered, painted, or with interior. All of that could easily cost another $300+; drive could be up to $200 alone.