Lima
Lima Street Railway Motor & Power Co.
This was one of the original Van DePoele cars built by Pullman for Lima Street Railway Motor & Power Co in 1887.  Replaced in 1892 by cars from New Castle Car. Co. In this system the motor was mounted on the front platform.  I think you can see a chain or belt drive to the front axle.  The commutator is out in the open, and there's a lever to adjust the position of the brush holders.  The motorman was supposed to use this lever to find the magnetic neutral by sight in order to get the best commutation.  (This is long before the invention of interpoles!)  And he did this while notching up the controller and watching traffic.
Caption data from James H. Graebner and Randall Hicks
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