Articles about Heritage Trolley Systems

Reference Papers

Reproduced here are papers containing subject matter which can serve as background or reference information for those planning heritage trolley systems.

Street Smart: Streetcars and Cities in the Twenty-First Century – This book, published in late 2006 by Reconnecting America with the active support and participation of the APTA Streetcar and Heritage Subcommittee, is the definitive guide for those planning heritage trolley or modern streetcar systems as an engine of community and economic development. It covers all aspects of planning and implementation of streetcar systems and is the first compendium of documented economic benefits of streetcar systems. Order it from the Seashore Trolley Museum Store by following this link: Museum Store

Bring Back the Streetcars – by Paul M. Weyrich and William S. Lind. This paper, published in June, 2002, is an excellent summary of the case for heritage trolleys and modern streetcars. Anyone seriously exploring the possibility of introducing these transportation modes is encouraged to read this paper. Printed copies of this report, suitable for distribution to potential supporters of heritage systems, are available from the Free Congress Foundation. Click here to access the Foundation's online ordering page.

Impact on Patronage of Cessation or Inauguration of Rail Service – by Edson Tennyson. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the preference passengers have for rail transit over buses. Analysis of the experience in many cities over a long time period shows conclusively that streetcars or light rail service will consistently attract more riders than buses along the same route.

The New Electric Railway Journal Articles

Reproduced here are a series of articles from The New Electric Railway Journal, a magazine published by the Free Congress Foundation from 1992 to 1998. These articles chronicle the evolution of a number of America's premier heritage trolley operations, and thus can serve as a valuable reference about planning and operating a heritage trolley system, even though some years have past since the magazine stopped appearing in print format. The Free Congress Foundation continues to chronicle the field of urban rail transportation with its electronic New New Electric Railway Journal, published on the foundation's web site. The following are articles from the printed magazine:

New Orleans Prepares for the Past, Spring 1992

Portland’s New/Old Trolleys, Spring 1992

The Kelley Park Trolley, Winter 1993

Vintage Memphis, Winter 1993

Metamorphosis on Main Street, Summer 1993

Real Streetcars Outdraw Fakes, Autumn 1993

Past Is Present, Autumn 1993

Veterans from Down Under, Autumn 1994

The Streetcar Renaissance in Dallas, Summer 1995

Heritage Trolleys in Memphis and Galveston, Spring 1996

Heritage Trolleys in Transit, Spring 1996

New Orleans Joys, Fall 1996

Charlotte's Heritage Trolley, Winter 1996-97

The New Ladies in Red, Vol X No I