Tokyo Trolley

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The “Tokyo Trolley” was built as an advanced training device for gunnery crews of the heavy bomber groups, which trained in Wendover during World War II. The trolley consisted of three machine guns mounted on a small rail car, which would move up to 40 M.P.H. on laid rail line. During the movement of the rail car, in the distance were located three firing pits that were constructed with moveable targets mounted on jeeps. The jeeps, which were protected from the live firing by the pit walls, were set in motion on wooden track systems inside the pits with speeds between 10 and 15 M.P.H. This would give realistic and precise gunnery training to individuals by providing a moving firing mount as well as moving targets. The system was so successful that in a telegram General Douglas McArthur voiced his praise by saying “Wendover’s gunners were the best trained in the Army”. This facility was a main part of the gunnery range and included in excess of 60 buildings for operations and storage, etc. However after World War II, the facilities were removed and all that remains are the firing pits, some concrete foundations in addition to the several stationary concrete firing platforms.
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