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DC Streetcar opens to crowd of hundreds
The last WASH DC trolley ran in January 1962.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy supports converting the Old Glen Echo Trolley Line into mixed-use bicycle and pedestrian trail. Hyattsville - College Park portion of Laurel Troley Line now rail-to-trail.
Youtube views: Palisades Neighborhood Trail, Glen Echo on the Potomac, 82 Streetcar Line,H Street and Benning Road Streetcar Line, and Underground Streetcar Station in Washington, DC.
The article states, “…the streetcars’ top speed hardly broke 25 mph, and cars made lengthy stops for passenger boarding and at red traffic lights.” But that’s what busy streetcars do on heavily used streets. Their advantage over buses is greater capacity. They’re crowd swallowers. The red traffic light problem could be eased by priority triggering for streetcars. Not sure if that’s feasible or budgeted here.
Would be nice to see something similar on 42d St. in NY City. Battery-powered, with overhead charging wires at the end-points. Would work on 125th St., too, and other cross-town routes.