Interurbans

[Blutorse4792]

I've been bitten by the bug, and now I can't get enough traction.

How many (North American) interurbans survived into the 1960s (or later)?

I can think of...

Chicago, North Shore and Milwaukee (1963)
Chicago, South Shore and South Bend (Still running)
Philadelphia & Western/Red Arrow Lines (Do they count as "still running"?)

 

[RRSignal]

Philadelphia & Western/Red Arrow Lines (Do they count as "still running"?)

The two Philadelphia routes are very much alive today, as SEPTA Route 101 to Media and 102 to Sharon Hill. Anchor Video (formerly Railroad Video Productions) even has a "cab-ride" video of both routes available.

 

[felix_g]

- Pacific Electric: L.A. to Long Beach line (1961)

Interurbans continueing freight-only electric operations I could think of:
- Sacramento Northern: Marysville to Yuba City section (1965)
- Yakima Valley (mid-80s)
- Iowa Traction Rwy / predecessors (still operating Baldwin steeplecabs today)
- another one in TX... I don't remember it's name
(however all of them are/were rather short sections only)

 

[Blutorse4792]

The East Troy Electric Railroad in Wisconsin is another one. It still runs as a heritage line, and actually interchanged freight up until the mid-1980s. Operated continously for 106 years.

 

[HLJames]

I've been bitten by the bug, and now I can't get enough traction.

Hah, so have I. It started slowly and then suddenly. The Iowa Traction happens to be one of the only ones still operating as an interurban today and I made a trip out to Iowa to see them a few weeks ago. There's one in Wisconsin, which has been mentioned - last I heard they run freight on an as-needed basis, so to still catch one the Iowa Traction would be a reliable bet since they run Monday-Friday. Personally I'd like to model the Iowa Traction line in Trainz at some point.

 

[felix_g]

Texas Transportation Co. in San Antonio was that other one I was thinking of. However being a local freight-only carrier all of its life, the term "interurban" in its original meaning of linking two cities may be not quite right. But I assume you are looking for "interurbans" in a wider sense or "traction".

@HLJames: I would love to see the Iowa Traction in Trainz. It would make a great route. Although there are only a few customers to be served I think it would be fun to operate. Two interchanges, flying switch maneuvers, the use of idler flat cars to reach the gons in the scrap yard...

If anyone is looking for some more traction inspiration I would highly recommend to take a look at Tom Piccirillo's excellent O gauge layout: http://eastpenn.org/photos_tomp2.html.

 

[bl4882]

There is also the Modesto & Empire, not more than a few miles from where I live. Still alive and kicking, though all diesel. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modesto_and_Empire_Traction_Company

Bernie

 

[JCitron]

The old Springfield Terminal survived until 1982 or so when Guilford bought them up. They were once a very small line, perhaps one mile or so long at the end, and were a wholly owned subsidiary of the Boston and Maine. Guilford came along, killed them off but kept the name as the operating arm of the railroad as a way to skirt around the union operating rules regarding crew numbers, pay, and safety.

The old Claremont and Concord is also still in existence. It no longer runs to Newport, NH or Concord, NH but runs about 7 miles of line from Claremont Jct. to some industries on their original line. They now operate small 44-tonners instead of steeple cabs, but the company still exists.

John