Fifty Years After Stopping, D.C. Streetcars Rolling Back

On January 28, 1962, the extensive network of streetcars that had operated in the District for a century was no more. Now, fifty years later, we're in the midst of a planning process that -- many city officials and streetcar enthusiasts hope -- will see a new streetcar line along H Street NE in mid-2013.

The decision to scrap the District's streetcars was made amidst demands that cheaper, more flexible alternatives be found to both easily extend transit options into the growing suburbs (buses were the chosen means) and make the city more friendly to cars. As with every decision at the time, it was Congress in 1956 that officially gave the D.C. Transit System seven years to dismantle the network of streetcars; civic organizations protested, saying they wanted hearings on each line to determine if they really had to be scrapped. The last streetcar lines to survive ran along 14th Street and U Street.

A decade after the streetcars had been replaced by buses, Post columnist Jack Eisen looked back upon what he called the "worst transportation decision ever made in this city" and resigned himself to their demise: "But any argument now is really pointless. Streetcars as we knew them will never again run in Washington."

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By Martin Austermuhle in News on January 29, 2012 12:41 PM 0 Comments

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SWDC

Thursday - 4/24/2008 WTOP

D.C. streetcars roll in Czech Republic

"WASHINGTON -- It's like something out of a Franz Kafka novel -- a
city buys streetcars for $10 million, but has no tracks to run them.

Kafka was a famous Czech writer and the streetcars are in the Czech
Republic. The city that bought the streetcars -- with no tracks -- is
the District of Columbia.

WTOP Radio has learned that three streetcars, purchased by the D.C.
Department of Transportation for about $10 million, are running around
the streets of the Czech Republic.

The cars were purchased more than three years ago, yet they have not yet found their way to the city that paid for them....

While all the details about contractors and operators are worked
out in D.C., the streetcars continue to roll around streets of the Czech
Republic.

They were built and are being maintained by a company named
Skoda-Inekon, which specializes in streetcars. Skoda-Inekon manufactures
streetcars in Plzen, in the Czech Republic. The company has produced
similar vehicles for Portland, Ore. and Tacoma, Wash.

The cars are not picking up passengers, but they do have to be taken out from time to time so that they are maintained.

"They need to get a workout," says Moneme. "They are tested on a pretty regular basis...."

DDOT says it has worked out a deal to extend the warranties on the
streetcars, and will make sure they are up to snuff when they finally do
arrive in the District.

Until then, D.C.'s streetcars will continue to get a workout in the Czech Republic"

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=&...

'D.C.'s new streetcars arrive from Czech Republic' Tuesday - 12/15/2009 WTOP

"...Three modern, sleek streetcars arrived at the Port of Baltimore over the
weekend, and were in the process of clearing customs Tuesday morning.

The cars will be loaded and sent to the Greenbelt Rail Yard, where they will be further inspected..."

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=&...

'Ready for D.C. streetcars? It's going to be a while' Wednesday - 6/29/2011 WTOP

"...As WTOP reported back in 2008, D.C. had already purchased three streetcars,
which were rolling through the streets of the Czech Republic while the
District laid down tracks and got the infrastructure in place.

Now, three years later, there is another delay in the process...."

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=41&am...

They need to get a workout.

monkeyrotica

Dozens of contributing factors resulted in the streetcar's demise, including massive government subsidizing of roads; white flight; and the fact that they numerous taxes and dividends. But the point is moot: the age of the streetcar is over. The time of the Orc has come.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

RaymoinLeDroit

I am sad the streetcars were taken away, however, the new system is not going to work. DC drivers with the hightendency to not follow rules are going to routinely park in the cars way, sit in the way and drive in their lanes.

heavy_petting_zoo

If authority was given to streetcar drivers to write tickets for vehicles that are blocking their way, a $300 ticket would make people change their behavior really fast.

Is That Your Bag?

... the new system is not going to work. DC Maryland drivers with the hightendency to not follow rules...

Fixed that for you.

Over the River

The General Motors streetcar conspiracy (also known as the National City Lines conspiracy) refers to allegations and convictions in relation to a program by General Motors (GM) and a number of other companies to purchase and dismantle streetcars (trams/trolleys) and electric trains in many cities across the United States and replace them with bus services.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wi...

BombaySplashVermouth

The great documentary Who Framed Roger Rabbit exposes it very well.

Over the River

Yes is does. I like the music in the film; the Toons were great.

poopieface

"Streetcars as we knew them will never again run in Washington."

The prediction holds true. And always will. The City will be dithering and debating until we get nuked by the Iranians.