Tram

:For other meanings of tram, see tram (disambiguation).

Streetcars in North America

History

In Canada, most cities once had a streetcar system, but today Toronto's TTC is the only traditional operator of streetcars, and maintains the most extensive system in North America (in terms of total track length, number of cars, and ridership). New systems have been built in Edmonton, Alberta and Calgary, Alberta.

Related Topics:
Canada - Toronto - TTC - Edmonton, Alberta - Calgary, Alberta

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The first lines built in the United States (and indeed the world) were in 1832 from New York City to Harlem by the New York and Harlem Railroad, and in 1834 in New Orleans.

Related Topics:
United States - 1832 - New York City - Harlem - New York and Harlem Railroad - 1834 - New Orleans

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Most US streetcar systems were removed by the 1950s. Among the reasons, the US firm of General Motors formed a separate subsidiary named "National City Lines", whose business mission was to buy out streetcar operations all around the US and replace them with fleets of buses. (See General Motors streetcar conspiracy.)

Related Topics:
1950s - General Motors - National City Lines - Buses

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Surviving systems

Not all streetcars systems were removed; the San Francisco cable cars are the most famous example in the United States. More conventional streetcar operations survived complete abandonment in Boston, Newark, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco in the United States, together with Toronto in Canada. All of these systems have received new equipment. Some of these cities have also rehabilitated lines, and Newark, New Orleans, and San Francisco have added trackage in recent years. In Toronto, the city has added two new lines in recent years, and is activly upgrading its other lines. Further expansion is planned in combination with the city's plans for the rejuvenation of its waterfront.

Related Topics:
San Francisco - Cable car - Boston - Newark - New Orleans - Philadelphia - Pittsburgh - Toronto

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More recently a number of cities in North America have built new light rail systems which operate partially in the right-of-way of city streets. These systems could be called trams by Europeans and Australians but are generally not known by that name within the US, where the term light rail is generally applied. Edmonton, Alberta was the location of one of the earliest of these new systems, which substantially utilised European technology, and was soon followed by similar installations in San Diego, California and Calgary, Alberta (see Edmonton Transit System, San Diego Trolley, and C-Train).

Related Topics:
Light rail - Edmonton, Alberta - San Diego, California - Calgary, Alberta - Edmonton Transit System - San Diego Trolley - C-Train

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In 2001, Portland, Oregon became the first city in North America to build a new streetcar system since the heyday of the PCC. The Portland Streetcar serves as a downtown circulator between the central city core, the trendy Pearl District and Northwest Portland, Portland State University, and a new mixed-use development along the Willamette River shoreline.

Related Topics:
Portland, Oregon - Portland Streetcar - Pearl District - Portland State University - Willamette River

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Heritage Streetcar Systems

Heritage streetcar systems are used in public transit service, combining light rail efficiency with America's nostalgia interests. Proponents claim that using a simple, reliable form of transit from 50 or 100 years ago can bring history to life for 21st century Americans. Systems are operating successfully in over 20 U.S. cities,and are in planning or construction stages in 40 more. Heritage systems currently operating in Memphis, Tennessee, Tampa, Florida, Kenosha, Wisconsin, and New Orleans, Louisiana are among the larger.

Related Topics:
Heritage streetcar system - Public transit - Nostalgia - Memphis, Tennessee - Tampa, Florida - Kenosha, Wisconsin - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Over 50 years after the Tennessee Williams play A Streetcar Named Desire opened on Broadway, the revival of streetcar operations in New Orleans is credited by many to the worldwide fame gained by the streetcars made by the Perley A. Thomas Car Works. These cars were operating on the system's Desire route in the 1947 play and later movie of the same name. Some of the original cars have been carefully restored locally and continue to operate in 2004.

Related Topics:
Tennessee Williams - A Streetcar Named Desire - Perley A. Thomas Car Works - 2004

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