Tucson, AZ
Follow this link for an Overview of
Tucson's heritage trolley operation.
The following references a New Electric Railway Journal article (reproduced
in this site's Articles section) describing Tucson's
heritage trolley::
Click on the thumbnail images below to enlarge views of Tucson's Old Pueblo
trolley:
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| All service on the Tucson heritage line is currently provided by this Japanese streetcar, shown at one end of the line. |
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| The line enjoys great support from residents of the city historic residential district shown here. Asphalt covering this original track was removed. |
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| The motorman's view of the uncovered original Tucson streetcar track used for this part of the route. |
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| The track to the right leads to the line's carbarn. The one to the left is the beginning of the planned extension to downtown Tucson. |
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| Track on this stretch along a popular restaurant and shopping street was laid by Old Pueblo volunteers. |
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| This former Brussels tram is being restored to join the Japanese car in service. |
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In the 2002 to 2004 period, the Old Pueblo group anticipated completing the
following tasks:
- Restoration of a 1936 Brussels tram
- Installation of a track "wye" at the 4th Avenue (southern) existing end of
track, to allow reversing cars, supported by a $10,000 Federal TEA-21
transportation enhancement grant
- Construction of a loop around a block of streets at the University
(eastern) end of track funded by a Marshall Foundation grant of approximately
$350,000
- Construction of additional yard track, funded by a $37,000 transportation
enhancement grant
- Purchase of two additional European trams if a $78,000 Surface
Transportation "flex" grant is awarded
- Extension of the line through the 4th Avenue underpass beneath Union
Pacific Railroad tracks, part of a $13 million municipal project , carrying
the line to the edge of downtown near the rail station
- Development of a downtown Intermodal Transportation Center and
Transportation Museum
By 2012, plans call for the following projects:
- Construction of Rio Nuevo, a $700 million downtown redevelopment project
(with $120 million coming from Tax Increment Financing funds) that would
enhance the convention center area with visitor attractions, museums, cultural
facilities, plus commercial, office, and residential development
- Extension of the heritage trolley line through Rio Nuevo, at a capital
cost of $20.8 million, funded, if possible, by Federal Transit
Administration grants
- Vintage bus routes connecting parking areas with the trolley route, at a
capital cost of $5.4 million, possibly also funded by FTA grants
The following news notes from
Rail Transit Online further describe streetcar developments in Tucson:
Click on this link to visit the Tucson line's site:
For more on the Tucson heritage line click on:
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