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Baltimore Transit Bibliography
An attempt to collect just about everything written pertaining to Baltimore's Transit

 Baltimore Specific Works
    • For a complete anthology of the history of Baltimore's streetcars, check out Baltimore's Streetcars (1992)(originally Who Made all our Streetcars Go? (1973)), by Michael R. Farrell, published by Greenburg Publishing.  Newer edition contains expanded information on the Baltimore Streetcar Museum, Metro, and the Light Rail Line, as well as a 16 page color photo section. LIMITED SUPPLY - CHECK B.S.M. FOR SUPPLY
    • For an in-depth look at the history of the bus and trackless trolley systems (as well as significant information on streetcar operations as well), pick up the 3 part anthology on Baltimore in Motor Coach Age, dated July-August 1988, November-December 1988, and March-April 1989.  Contains numerous photos, maps and roster of the system from 1915 to 1988, as well as a comprehensive listing of routes and changes to the bus system. LIMITED SUPPLY - CONSULT THE MBS WEBSITE FOR AVAILABILITY
    • For a look at the early electric operations throughout the city, try Early Electric Cars of Baltimore, by Harold E. Cox, one of a number of Harold E. Cox traction books, that details the use of numerous early streetcar types in use in Baltimore. OUT OF PRINT - CHECK EBAY or WWW.TRAINBOOKS.COM FOR SALES
    • For a look at the rail vehicles used from 1905 to the abandonment of 1963, inspect a copy of Baltimore Streetcars - 1905-1963: The Semi-Convertible Era, written in 1982 by Bernard J. Sachs, George F. Nixon, and Harold E. Cox. Contains renumbering data for semiconvertibles (as well as disposition data) in addition to a indepth look at how and where semi-convertibles were used.  Also includes Artics, Birneys, Witts, and PCCs as well. LIMITED SUPPLY - CHECK BALTIMORE STREETCAR MUSEUM FOR SUPPLY
    • For an in-depth pictorial that visits the Baltimore that was just after World War II, you'll definitely want to inspect a copy of Baltimore and its Streetcars, a Pictorial Review of the Postwar Years, written in 1984 by Herbert H. Harwood Jr.  It contains numerous black and white shots of streetcars running all over the region, as well as detailed information concerning some of the major relics that were still in existence at the time the book was written. OUT OF PRINT - CHECK EBAY or WWW.TRAINBOOKS.COM FOR SALES
    • For an excellent look at the BTC years, pick up a copy of The Best Way to Go, the History of the BTCo, written by Father Kevin Mueller in 1997.  This book looks at the years from 1935 to 1970, and is embellished with numerous photos from Edward S. Miller from the 1950s as well as News American photos from the era. LIMITED SUPPLY - CHECK BALTIMORE STREETCAR MUSEUM FOR SUPPLY
    • For a comprehensive look at the construction and heritage of the Central Light Rail line, inspect Herbert H. Harwood Jr's Baltimore's Light Rail, published in 1995.  It offers an indepth look at the construction of the line, as well as a great riding companion for a trip on the line, giving the heritage of various landmarks enroute, both rail-related and non rail-related.  IN PRINT - CHECK B.S.M. GIFTSHOP OR M.B. KLIEN
    • For a descriptive history of the routes of Baltimore's electric and cable streetcar lines, the best source is Baltimore Streetcar Routes, written in 1960 by Kenneth Morse.  A revised and updated version, printed in 1994 is available at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum.  OUT OF PRINT - CHECK EBAY or WWW.TRAINBOOKS.COM.
    • Another fascinating look at the streetcar system is revealed in The Architecture of the Baltimore Streetcar System, by David B. Dittman and Bernard J. Sachs.  The booklet includes numerous examples of carhouses and powerhouses, their dates of use, and the status of their survival.  Available only from the Baltimore Streetcar Museum. LIMITED SUPPLY - CHECK B.S.M.
    • For a interesting glimpse at the system in its final days, pick up a copy of the reprinted Headway Recorder, published by the National Capital Historical Museum of Transportation, with a tour of the lines by John V. Engleman.  Offers an interesting journey along the lines, relating the sights to see, and the atmosphere of the final days of streetcar operation. IN PRINT - CHECK B.S.M. GIFTSHOP


      • Anthologies with Baltimore Sections

  • For a summary of the use of PCC cars in Baltimore, look at PCC: From Coast to Coast, by Kashin and DeMorro, published by Interurban Press.  Offers numerous B&W shots of Baltimore PCCs (and those from across the country).  OUT OF PRINT - CHECK EBAY FOR SALES
  • For a PCC anthology in vivid full color, look for a copy of  Traction Extra #1: The President's Car, published by Joseph P. Saitta in 1987.  Handsome, softbound photo compendum printed on archival stock includes 6 pages devoted to Baltimore operations, and contains many more of operations across the country, and around the world. OUT OF PRINT - OFTEN OFFERED ON EBAY or contact JOE SAITTA


      Other printed works with Baltimore transit photos or capsules

    • Do you live in Baltimore, and have a few spare hours on your hands in which you'd like to immerse yourself into a time machine.  Head on down to the Maryland Room of the Enoch Pratt Main Library on Cathedral Street.  Browse the vertical files for news clippings pertaining to Baltimore's transit past.  I guarantee you won't be disappointed.  Among the topics that can yield some interesting information are "BALTIMORE TRANSIT CO.," "UNITED RAILWAY & ELECTRIC CO.," "MASS TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION," and "BALTMORE STREETCAR MUSEUM."  If you're creative, you can also find some interesting items looking in varied topics such as "STREET RAILROADS," "STREETS," "SNOWSTORMS," "TROLLEY COACHES," and "BRIDGES" just to name a few.  Prepare to consume some time there, however, and prepare to be reluctant to leave ;)
    • Shots of Baltimore's transit aren't limited to simply transitcentric tomes alone.  The city's rich past also has created a significant market for picture anthologies, most of which contain some shots of Baltimore's transit past, especially the streetcars.  Among the most popular are Jacques Kelly's Bygone Baltimore and Enoch Pratt Library - A Neighborhood Album book.  Since these items appeal to a wider audience, there is a greater chance of their availability.  They are definitely recommended for anyone who's interests go beyond the past of transit alone.
    • Limited information on Baltimore PCC's is given in two IP books: PCC: An American Original, and PCC, the Car that Fought Back, detailing the history of the entire PCC project, both OUT OF PRINT, but possibly obtainable from EBAY.


      • Video Tapes

    • Best example of the surviving video footage of Baltimore's Streetcar System is Carvey Davis' Baltimore Streetcar Films, released by Transit Gloria Mundi Productions.  Vivid black & white and color footage from around the system is presented in the tape, primarily shot in the late 1940's. A pleasure to watch again and again.
    • A NEW VIDEOTAPE has been released on Baltimore.  It is currently stocked at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum Giftshop.  More Details in this issue soon!
    • A limited amount of Carvey Davis' footage is included in Trolley, the Car that Built our Cities, also from TGM.  This offers an hour-long look at the ride and fall of streetcars in American cities, and how the cars were such a key part to many peoples' lives at one time.
    • In addition, anthology tapes are also available that include a portion of Baltimore footage.  Among these are Trolley Treasures #3, PCC Parade, and others.  Interurban Films also produced a Baltimore tape as well.