Street Cars Are Coming Back To D.C.

Many Years ago, our major cities had streetcars. Very few remain and those that do seem to have limited service. New Orleans and San Francisco come to mind. It was foolish to have gotten rid of them to begin with. Now we have Metro but we still have clogged roads. For years prior to Metro (14 between when the streetcars shut down in 1962 and Metro started service in 1976). buses and autos were the only way to get around the District. You could have taken your own life into your hands on a bicycle, but even today, with bike lanes on many of the avenues, it can be treacherous. Most drivers are courteous but others are downright nasty!

The District has purchased at least three streetcars manufactured in the Czech Republic. These cars look like some of the others that I have ridden on in Belgium, The Netherlands, and other parts of Europe. Getting the street cars approved has not been easy. Beautification groups are concerned about the aesthetics. For the most part, these new routes run along parts of the city that are not on the Mall or anywhere near the Memorials. The second point is that clogged traffic, polluted air, and double parked cars don't do much for the aesthetics of the city either. So, it really looks like what's old is new again. Here are some interesting articles, some with pictures, from the trolley car stations that ran through a tunnel at Dupont Circle Station until 1962 to a couple or so links to articles about the new planned system.

An historical look at some of the underground tunnels and cars:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/31/AR2010103104529.html

http://www.dctrolley.org/

http://parkviewdc.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/streetcars-from-georgia-avenues-past/

http://www.shorpy.com/node/6253

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streetcars_in_Washington,_D.C.#History

Article on the new system planned for the City of Washington:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/15/streetcars-on-track-for-return-to-dc/