Charlotte unearthed some original rails and ran its first Streetcar in 77 years today as it inaugurated 1-1/2 mile service with one of its restored cars. Critics point out that Buses are cheaper and faster but the city fathers plan for a network of lines in the future including to the Airport and Colleges.
Photo of Walt Cameron's model of Charlotte's Streetcar in the old days.
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Is there a link to this story?
Article in the Charlotte Observer News online service but I don't have a clue about "links". Perhaps SRR Sean who lives in the Charlotte suburbs and is computer literate will chime in and help you.
maybe this link will take you to the article
http://www.charlotteobserver.c...article27195349.html
rdeal
I live in Charlotte and look forward to riding the streetcar just for the experience. At this time it is a free ride but not sure how long that'll last. I remember my stepdad being involved in an organization promoting resurrecting streetcars back in the late 70's & 80's, before his death. He used to tell me about being a streetcar motorman in the 30's.
I'm not sure where the idea of unearthing old rails comes from but the construction for this has been going on for over 5 years and started with tearing up the street in front of Central Piedmont Community College and rebuilding it with new rails in place back in 09. None of the old track has been in place for at least 60 years. I can vaguely recall rails in the street in a few places downtown, maybe in late 50's/early 60's but they've been gone a long time now.
Wish my stepdad was here so we could ride and I could hear his tales & see him smiling again.
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