An original (NOT modern reprint) 5x3" vintage photo from the estate of a train enthusiast who travelled the world filming and photographing trains of all sorts. Many of the photos from his collection are likely one of a kind.


Photo Overview

This vintage black and white photograph shows Louisville & Northern Traction Company interurban car 503 standing in a yard in the Louisville KY area, captured broadside and three quarter front with its folding safety gate open and a second wooden interurban car coupled behind it. The sturdy wood body, clerestory roof and arch top windows clearly identify this as an early 20th century electric interurban car near the end of its working life, with track, small yard structures and adjacent buildings visible around the car.

Louisville & Northern Traction was an important Kentucky interurban line that opened in the early 1900s to connect Louisville with nearby communities, contributing to the era when electric railways were the primary way many Americans traveled between towns before automobiles took over. The system was gradually abandoned in the 1930s as highway competition grew, making images of specific cars like no. 503 especially desirable to traction historians and regional collectors. Add this scarce interurban car photo to your collection today before another trolley enthusiast does.

Text Present

Front, on car side letterboard (faint): LOUISVILLE & NORTHERN TRACTION CO.
Front, on car body near bottom right: 503

Back, top center (typed): LOUISVILLE & NORTHERN TRACTION CO. #503
Back, lower left in pencil: B.N.
Back, lower right in blue stamp: 679

Print analysis: Small format glossy fiber paper consistent with mid 20th century railfan prints, with simple typewritten caption and inventory number on the back indicating a privately produced traction enthusiast or small archive print. Image content and paper suggest it was printed roughly 1930s 1950s from an original negative taken around the same era, making this a Type 2 photographic print, likely printed c1940s.

Condition: In fair to good vintage condition. Please see photos for precise condition.