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Shanghai-Center Trolleybus Overhead Map, 1983

Gathering information to draw these maps took time - but was quite straightforward.

 

First, I purchased a street map which showed transport routes. These I found in all cities (with trolleybuses) that I visited except Anshan. The quality of these maps was very good.

 

Then I explored the trolleybus system, making sketches in a small notebook. Here I noted junctions and other "specialwork." I would make photographs as I traveled, or would note interesting locations for photographs.

 

The sight of me taking notes about trolleybus overhead systems did attract a bit of curiosity but absolutely no suspicion or hostility. I got the impression that people (including police) were simply not concerned - or were pleased that a foreigner (me) was interested in Chinese public transport.

 

In "most" cities, it did not take me "very long" to sketch the trolleybus overhead system. In Shanghai, however, I had to work for several days (and sometimes late at night) to get the job finished.

 

For Anshan, I was fortunate to have access to a (very) large opaque projector - and a remarkable collection of maps - at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) map library. I was able to draw a map of Anshan that was "reasonably" to scale.

 

I am grateful to the UCLA Map Library and its (then) Director, Carlos B. Hagen-Lautrup III (1929-2010), who encouraged me to purchase duplicates of any city map I might find in China. These the library purchased at a "mark-up," provided a much-appreciated partial "sponsorship." (I had time for travel in abundance - but this was not necessarily true about money!)

 

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Uploaded on May 3, 2012
Taken in April 1984