Let's talk streetcars... (U.S. and Canada)

[Blutorse4792]

I guess you could say this is Part II of my interurban thread.

As you probably know, most streetcar systems in the U.S. and Canada were replaced by busses between 1945 and 1965. How much of this was conspiracy, how much was an issue of practicality? (Let's not get too political here)

Which cities saved their original systems?
I know that Boston, New Orleans, San Francisco and Toronto saved portions of their lines.

Of the systems that didn't survive, which ones held out the longest? I have a morbid interest in lines that almost survived.

(P.S. It hasn't become an obsession, it's become a passion)

 

[RRSignal]

Philly. It had, IIRC, the largest streetcar network in the country if not the world at one point. I'll have to refresh my memory, perhaps tomorrow, but there are still 5 original streetcar lines operating within the city proper, and another recently-opened/reactivated one (Route 15 Girard) as well as the two interurbans mentioned in the other thread, for a total of 8. There are also a few trackless trolley routes as well still in operation.

 

[rjhowie]

Many years ago I visited America and met a couple from Philadelphia when I went down from NYC to Washington DC. It was in the waiting room at DC for the train back and we got on well and said if ever back should visit them and I did two years later staying with them for 2 days. As we were driving through their suburb one day I noticed the tram lines then all of a sudden a (very old style) tram went across us and I made an excited comment about it. later it appeared their house was quite close to a terminus. In general I did know it was more extensive at one time but would be interested to know being a tram fan if it was the largest. St Petersburg in Russia had a very large system although reduced now so maybe some stiff competition there.

 

[magickmaker]

If you're in the Salt Lake City area, sometime next year a new line is opening up that runs to Sugarhouse. Unlike the existing Trax lightrail, this one is planned to use classic "street cars" instead of the siemens combio units.

 

[rjhowie]

This seems to becoming a semi-reular thing over in America. I occasionally look through a monthly tram magazine here in GB and gives news from around the world and down to individual cities and light rail, trams, street cars whater have been spreading over the pond.