Photos: Underground Electric/ Fisher Insulator

By Colin Jung; posted January 14, 2002

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I found a detailed written account of the development of the underground electric railcar system built by the Detroit Electrical Works and its inventor, Frank E. Fisher, in San Jose, California. I have four photos. Top, is the electric "dummy" and three trailers in operation around 1888. Middle and bottom shows the underground electric rail under construction. Yowza! There were a lot of insulators used. The photo inset is Samuel Bishop, president, of the San Jose & Santa Clara Horse car Company who brought in Fisher and his company. The system was a technical, operational, financial and political disaster by this account.

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