Streetcar Sunday - Karlsruhe, Germany

Karlsruhe is located in southwest Germany near the French border. Karlsruhe translates roughly as Karl's rest - and indeed the Margrave Karl Wilhelm rests right under that pyramid shown in the middle of the postcard.

Karlsruhe has seven tram routes and an interconnected tram/train network that has served as the model for other German cities. The trams and trains share tracks throughout the region, allowing for seamless integration and convenient transfers. I guess it's no surprise that it works well. The question is why other countries don't adopt similar systems.

Streetcar Sunday - Limoges, France

Here's a photo from around 1900 of a great intersection with trams in Limoges, France.  Limoges had tram service from 1897 until 1951.  At that time, the system was replaced by trolley buses.

The Limoges tram system was built very quickly with six lines in its first year of operation.  In 1898,  its second year of operation, the system transported four million passengers. By 1928, route extensions brought the system to its maximum coverage of 20 km.

By the 1930s, trams had lost their appeal and were being replaced by trolleybuses. In France, Paris had set the trend by removing all of its trams. Other cities, including Limoges, followed suit. There has been talk in the last few years of bringing trams back to Limoges, but the idea has yet to gain widespread political support.

Streetcar Sunday - Duisburg, Germany

This is a beautiful postcard, but it's also remarkable for the message and the stamps on the front.

Duisburg is located in the western part of Germany's Ruhr Area at the confluence of the Rhine and Ruhr rivers. It was (and is) an industrial center, known for its iron and steel production. The city was almost completely destroyed during World War II, so it doesn't resemble the picture on the card anymore.

Duisburg currently has electric light rail, but it started out in 1881 with horse-drawn trams. These were  followed by steam-powered trams before the whole system was electrified in 1897. There was also interurban service between Duisburg and Düsseldorf as early as 1899. That service continues today as Stadtbahn service.

The sender of this card was obviously a postcard and stamp collector, who purposely affixed the stamps on the picture side, and wrote "stamps on the other side" where the postage would normally go.
His message to Eugene Bloesch in San Francisco is also interesting:

Be so kind as to send me more postcards of the American army.  If possible, please use Jamestown stamps affixed on the picture side.

With greetings from afar,

Johann Kugler

Duisburg on the Rhein

Kraut (?) Street 33

28.2.08

The stamps that Johann refers to were issued in 1907 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement in America. They looked like this:

Streetcar Sunday - Copenhagen, Denmark

This is not a very clear picture, but since it shows a double-deck tram I couldn't resist it. The message on the back of the card is amusing too.

Tram service in Copenhagen ended in 1972, after operating for 109 years. Some of the tram cars were then shipped off to Egypt where they were put to use in Alexandria. Years later, the Danish Tramway Society managed to bring two of them back for the tram museum.

The message on the card reads:

We walked down here yesterday. It is a beautiful town. I like it so much, shall be sorry to leave it. I do not find it very cold, the air is quite different to England so invigorating. I feel quite "buxom" already. The customs seem so very strange, but shall get used to them. Am writing a long letter, so shall close this with fond love. B.S.

Well, there's the trade-off of a postcard vs. a letter. You get a nice picture on the front, but the message often raises more questions than it answers. What exactly are those strange customs?

Streetcar Sunday - Lyon, France

It's often difficult to see the overhead lines of electric streetcars on old postcards. In some cases they just don't show up clearly, and in other cases they were purposely obscured by the person tinting or re-touching the card. There are overhead wires on both of these card; they're just very hard to see. I looked closely because I had heard that Lyon had steam-powered trams at one point, and I had remote hopes that one of these would be a steam-powered tram.  For, whatever reason, I find steam-powered trams of great interest. They were generally underpowered, so they lost out to the electric-powered trams, but there is something very romantic about them.

In 1879, electric trams were introduced in Lyon. By 1894, there were ten lines, and after that expansion continued until 1914. In the 1930s there was a shift to trolleybuses, and by 1957 the trams had been abandoned all together. If you've been reading previous Streetcar Sunday posts, you can probably predict what comes next. In 2001 the City of Lyon re-introduced trams to complement the metro system.  Lyon now has four tram lines and 73 articulated cars. There is also a Rhônexpress line which links Part-Dieu Villette to Saint-Exupéry airport.

Here are the backs of the cards in the same order.

Is the recipient's surname Condom?

Streetcar Sunday - Denver, Colorado

Denver  had horse-drawn streetcars in 1871. It was also one of the few cities that tried cable cars before converting to electric streetcars. Five cable car lines were built in 1888 and 1889, but since there were no major grades in Denver, they were soon replaced with the more efficient electric-powered streetcars.

 The College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado has put together a nice website with information on Denver's streetcar history and new streetcar developments, so rather than repeat the information, I would refer you to their site.

Here are the backs of the cards in the same order.

The message to Mrs. M. Handrick of Binghamton reads:

Dear Mother: Your welcome letter just rec'd - Mine giving all information must have reached you ere this. Wrote soon as I found out. The Elks are here, going to parade now. Snow on streets here for the event brought from mts. - Love Bess 

July 15

Streetcar Sunday - Hong Kong, China

I'm hooked on the double-deck trams, so I had to show a card from Hong Kong, where they have a fabulous tram system and beautiful double-deck cars.

This card is probably only thirty years old, but the trams have changed since then. The one shown here is the same one that had been used since the 1930s. Hong Kong has had a tramway system since 1904, when it was set up by the British. The double-deck tram was introduced in 1912, with first-class seating on the open-air upper deck. Although it was great during fair weather, when it rained, the open-air seating didn't seem like such a benefit, so canvas tops were added by 1913. By 1925, the upper deck was fully enclosed.

Although service expanded and improved over the years, it was severely curtailed during the Japanese occupation in the early 1940s. After the occupation, only 15 cars were operational, but that number quickly rose to 63 by 1946. Eventually the first class fare was eliminated. Hong Kong trams have used advertising banners for a long time and continue to do so, generating  additional income for the system.

Hong Kong Tramway now operates six main routes with trams departing every 1.5 minutes during peak hours. You can also hire trams for private tram parties.  For more information, check out Hong Kong Tramways, Limited.

And here, courtesy of Susi, who has been hanging out in Hong Kong while her husband is in the hospital, is a current photo of the Hong Kong tram.

Streetcar Sundays - Aberdeen, Scotland

I look forward to visiting Scotland some day soon. When I do, I hope to ride on the Edinburgh trams, assuming the project has been completed by then. Unfortunately, they won't have double-deck trams like the ones shown on this postcard of Aberdeen. They'll still be beautiful, but sleek and modern.

Aberdeen doesn't have any trams at all anymore, since the Aberdeen Corporation Tramways closed in 1958. I wonder if the difficult process with the new trams system in Edinburgh will serve as a deterrent to other Scottish cities who might have considered reintroducing trams.

Here's some beautiful old footage of buses and double-deck trams in Aberdeen.


Note: In case you're interested, I added several pictures to the Streetcar Sunday post for Montreal from several weeks ago.

Streetcar Sunday -Memphis, Tennessee

 
The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) currently operates vintage trolleys which were re-introduced in the 1990s to help reverse urban decline and increase traffic to the downtown pedestrian mall. The trolleys they use today were originally used in Porto, Portugal, but Memphis also had its own vintage streetcar system in earlier years.

Memphis had streetcars starting 1895 and running until 1947. For a number of years after that, they ran trolley coaches, which are buses that run on electricity, but by the end of the 1950s, they had changed over to diesel buses. Streetcars may have been considered an antiquated nuisance at the time, but they seem to have helped greatly in revitalizing Downtown Memphis in recent years. The system is popular with both residents and visitors, assuring that it is well used at various times of the day and week.

There are several good links with information on the Memphis streetcar system. For a great historical overview, look at Mike Condren's Memphis Street Railway.  For current streetcar information and pictures, take a look at John Smatlak's website, and the American Public Transportation Association.

Streetcar Sunday - Montreal, Canada

At one point, Montreal had a tram system that included 1,000 trams and 310 miles of track. The first Montreal trams were horse-drawn cars in 1861, but by 1892 the entire system ran on electric power.

As in many other places, streetcars fell out of favor in Montreal. In part this had to do with the perception that they were old technology, but as the automobile became more popular, drivers also felt that trams were inconvenient obstacles. At least a bus would move with traffic and could move out of the way, since they weren't confined to tracks.

Montreal began substituting buses for trams in 1951, with tram service ending once and for all in 1959. Well, not really once and for all, because like other cities Montreal is now planning to re-introduce trams.  The first line is scheduled for completion in 2013, with two additional lines to follow.

Andy Riga, of the Montreal Gazette, put together some interesting research on Montreal trams past and future here.

Here are some additional old views of Montreal with trams.

Streetcar Sunday - Nice, France

The City of Nice in the south of France seems like the ideal place for a tram system. There are lots of tourists and a great opportunity to connect Nice with neighboring cities such as Monte Carlo and Cagnes-sur-Mer. Starting in 1879 there was a horse-drawn streetcar system in Nice that provided an urban network as well as connections to those neighboring cities and suburbs.

By 1900 the horse-drawn cars had all been replaced with electric ones, and by 1930 the system had expanded to include 90 miles of track and 183 cars. At the same time, competition from buses caused many of the coastal and suburban routes to close. By 1939 only 4 lines remained operational, with a few more brought back during World War II. After the war the streetcars were replaced by trolleybuses, with the last streetcar making its final run in 1953.

Here's another view that doesn't show the streetcar, but shows that you could connect to trains at the Nice train station.

In 2007, Nice introduced a new and very sleek streetcar system. They're very unusual and beautiful cars in my opinion. Originally the system was intended to operate with a ground-level third rail, but they instead opted for the conventional overhead wires, perhaps due to cost. Although there is currently only one line on this new system, there has been discussion about adding a line from the city to the airport.

This photo is courtesy of  Myrabella

Streetcar Sunday - Victoria BC, Canada

I have only visited Victoria, British Columbia once, but I thought it was a beautiful and charming place. One of the many memories that sticks with me is going shopping for clothing in Victoria. I am not always an enthusiastic shopper, but the experience there was relaxed and fun. Most of all, I was amazed at how labels were imprinted with Made in Canada.  I bought a few sweaters and a hat there, all made in Canada, of great quality and not expensive. After that, I started checking labels on everything to see where the items were made. Even the towels at the Empress Hotel were made in Canada. 

And here is a card of the Empress Hotel. The location is great and the hotel is beautiful, although many of the rooms are small. It would have been even nicer if there had been a tram when I was there. Still, it's a very walkable city.

Here's another card showing trams in Victoria.

Although there are no longer any trams in Victoria, there has been talk of bringing them back. BC Transit is looking at trams along with Light Rail Transit and Bus Rapid Transit as possible alternatives.  In their words: "they each have their advantages and enthusiasts." For updates on their plans, check the BC Transit website.

Here are the backs of the cards in the same order.

The message to Mr. William Fyfe reads:

Dear Dad:

Just a note you should have come too. Of course I'll be home when you get this but that's O.K. Having a swell time. May won't get out and hold the boat steady. Bye Now Love Sis (?)

Streetcar Sunday - Marseille, France

I'd like to just step into this street scene, head right over to the Cafe on the left, and watch the trams go by as I sip a café au lait. The trams have been there since 1875, when the first horse-drawn tram traveled on this very street.  If I were sitting in some other city, I might look at the trams with sadness, predicting their demise in a few decades. Not so in Marseille where trams have been running continuously since 1876.

And it's not as if the City Council in Marseille didn't try. They wanted to replace the trams with buses and were successful at pulling trams off of La Canebière by 1955.  Since then though, new tram lines have been built and trams are back on La Canebière. It's part of a new plan to reduce car traffic and favor pedestrians.

Here is a view of the intersection today, looking like a pedestrian's worst nightmare. There is obviously still work to be done.

View Larger Map

Streetcar Sunday - Auburn, New York

Starting in 1901, there was interurban service between Auburn and Skaneateles, New York. Soon thereafter, the service merged with Auburn City Railway and became the Auburn and Syracuse Electric Railway.

In 1927, it declared bankruptcy, and streetcar service in Albany ended. Interurban service continued until 1930. You may recall an earlier post here about Auburn, New York and its famous prison, where the first execution by electric chair took place. It's also where the striped prison uniforms were first introduced. In the early days, this was considered a model prison, and visitors could pay to see the operation and its prisoners.

Here's the back of the postcard, which was sent in 1909:

The message to Mrs. William Connely (?) of Elmira, New York reads:

We got you postal this noon and was glad to here that you was in Elmira yet How is your baby these warm days

Loretta Hindon (?)

Streetcar Sunday - Auckland, New Zealand - Update

As with most other cities, Auckland initially had horse-drawn trams in 1884. These were replaced with electric trams by 1902, which continued to provide service until the end of 1956, when they were replaced with buses and trolleybuses. Since then, Auckland has had very low levels of transit ridership compared to other cities of similar size - but change is in the air!

Recently, there has been approval to build a new streetcar loop in Auckland, which would introduce heritage trams along Auckland's waterfront. Phase two of the project would connect with the central business district and Queen Street. You can read an interesting discussion of the proposed tram route here and here.
If you're visiting Auckland, you may want to stop and check out the Museum of Transport and Technology.

Streetcar Sunday - The Christmas Bus

Many people think that there was a conspiracy by General Motors and other companies, starting in the 1930s, to dismantle the nation's streetcar system so the companies could profit from increased sales of buses, tires, and automobiles.  Here is irrefutable evidence, from a 1913 card, that the trend started much earlier and was masterminded by none other than Santa. He looks so determined.

What child would want to ride a streetcar, when he could ride Daddy Xmas' gift-laden party bus instead?  Click here to read more about the Great American Streetcar Scandal.

The message to Walter Till reads:

To Brother Walter from Susan Frank Georgie Robert  + Francis Weaver we all wish you a very Merry XMas + a Happy New year with lots of love.

Capital Transit, Washington, D.C.

You could probably get these postcards at the information booth at Union Station back in the old days. Capital Transit was formed  in 1933 with the merger of the three existing transit providers (Washington Railway, Capital Traction, and Washington Raid Transit.) Although Capital Transit closed several streetcar lines and replaced them with buses, they also updated the streetcar fleet with streamlined modern PCC streetcars. In 1945, they had the third largest streetcar fleet in the United States.
They ran into financial trouble in 1955, due in part to the owners paying themselves huge dividends during a time of declining transit ridership. They tried to make up for the falling revenue and squandered reserves by requesting a fare increase, which was denied.  As a result, they were unable to offer any raises for employees and the employees went on strike. During the seven-week strike, passengers had to find other ways to travel.

Capital Transit met its demise in an interesting and unusual way. One of the owners, Louis Wolfson, dared the Senate to revoke his franchise, claiming no one else would be willing to take it over.  Congress did indeed revoke his franchise, and the new system, under the leadership of Ray Chalk, was known as DC Transit.

Streetcar Sunday - Brisbane, Australia

Electric trams operated in Brisbane, Australia between 1897 and 1969. Prior to that there had also been horse-drawn trams. The electric trams were very popular, carrying as many as 160 million passengers at their peak in 1945. After that ridership declined with the increasing popularity of the automobile and increasing suburban development, until, by 1968, annual ridership had decreased to 64 million passengers.

Since 1969, there has been a move to bring back some sort of light rail, but it hasn't happened yet.
Be sure to check out the earlier post on Sydney's trams. For more information on Brisbane's trams, visit the Brisbane Tramway Museum.

Streetcar Sunday -To Echo Mountain via Castle Canyon

This postcard remains a bit of a mystery to me. Maybe some wise person can add some clarification.
It would appear that the horse is set to push the sightseeing car. More likely, he is just turned around so he can follow behind on the trip downhill. If so, I hope there's also a brake.

I wouldn't have a clue to where this is, except for the sign below. Here it is magnified several times.

It says, "To Echo Mountain via Castle Canyon 34 miles." That should give a good clue. Echo Mountain is located in Los Angeles County in the San Gabriel Mountains. It's called Echo Mountain because of the great echoes you get when you yell into Castle Canyon. And there was a railway there too, the Mount Lowe Railway, which was powered by overhead trolley wires and transported passengers from Altadena up the hills to Rubio Canyon, where there was a small hotel. From there, passengers could take a funicular up to Echo Mountain, where there was an elegant 70-room Victorian hotel and a chalet. There was also a casino, a dance hall, and the opportunity to transfer to yet another trolley line to Crystal Springs.  The entire venture constantly ran into hard times and disasters, including fires, torrential rains, and gale-force winds. It opened in 1893 and was abandoned in 1938.

This horse-drawn car may have connected to the Mount Lowe Railway, but I don't think it was part of the system.  The former owners of this postcard were thoughtful enough to write a date on the back though. These were the same people who visited Gayle's Lion Farm and nicely dated those cards as well.

Update 3/8/11: I happened to see a very similar card today taken at the same location. The people who took that picture wrote on the back: Mule train, Inspiration Point to Picture Rock, Mt. Lowe.

Here's the back of the card.

Streetcar Sunday - Altdorf, Switzerland

Altdorf, Switzerland is famous for being the birthplace of William Tell. You can see the statue of him and his son in the center of the square.  And the tram off to the right seems to stop right in front of a brewery - how convenient! Unfortunately, I can't tell you anything else about the tram. I think it's still there, but I'm not sure.

Here's the back of the card.

The message to Mrs. Detting at Heinrichshütte in Rigi Klösterli, Switzerland reads:


Arrived safely in Schatzdorf and received card. Olivia Sprüngli sends many friendly greetings. Extra greetings to Mr. Brinckmann and St. Johannsberi and of course greetings from Elise.