Six historic trolley cars purchased from Portugal 25 years ago and intended
for operation in the streets of Aspen have been sold. One car was manufactured
in 1899 and the other five were assembled from kits in 1925. The cars had been
stored in the open near Aspen, partially protected by tarpaulins, awaiting a
decision on their fate. That decision came in November when voters and the city
council separately rejected plans for a heritage streetcar system. The city
already had offers in hand to take the cars for free and the deals were
immediately sealed without notice or public bidding. One car that had been
cosmetically restored after an anonymous donor contributed $20,000 was hauled
off to Issaquah, Washington, where a short line is already operating and
planning is underway for an extension. The other five cars will go to Issaquah,
Tucson and Wanganui, New Zealand. Local trolley enthusiasts protested the swift
action by the city, claiming officials had no right under the state constitution
to give the cars away unless the city got some benefit. Further, the anonymous
donor reportedly stipulated that his gift required the restored trolley to
remain in Aspen. However, City Manager Steve Barwick told The Denver Post that
it “…is a done deal. We directed the city staff to proceed,” and there are no
plans to reconsider.
