North Carolina Streetcar Systems

Charlotte

Charlotte Trolley Inc.

Began Operation: 1996

Miles of Line: 2.1

Stations: 11

Org: Transit Agency + Non-profit

Schedule: Weekends

photo: Jon Bell

Charlotte Trolley is a classic case of a grass-roots non-profit effort which started small and blossomed into something big. Operations began on an abandoned rail spur in 1996. The group used a restored Charlotte streetcar towing a diesel generator to provide electric power. The line connected Charlotte's South End district with downtown Charlotte, using a city-owned railroad right-of-way. From these modest beginnings, the line was incrementally upgraded into a modern transportation corridor that today is part of the City's new light rail system.

By 2003, the initial operation had been upgraded with new track, overhead, stations and replica Vintage Trolley vehicles. That same year, the non-profit Charlotte Trolley turned over the operating reigns to the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). Charlotte Trolley continued its participation as an important "friends of the trolley" support organization. The $40 million investment by the City of Charlotte and CATS had created a two-mile transit corridor that formed the basis for constructing the new light rail system then in the planning stages. The trolley operation and the anticipation of the new light rail service spurred an intense level of economic development along the corridor. More than $400 million in new projects, apartments and condominiums, shops, restaurants and more were added along the route during this initial period.

Starting in June 2004, trolley operations started on a daily basis using restored original Car 85. The car had been updated with different trucks and a modern control system. In July, an additional replica car from the Gomaco Trolley Company joined car 85. In October 2004 three new Gomaco replica trolleys arrived and began operating the bulk of the service. In February 2006, the line was shut down to allow construction of the City's first light rail line, which would overlap the existing trolley corridor at its north end.

Operation of the Lynx light rail line began in November of 2007. Vintage trolley service resumed in April 2008, operating over the northern end of the line between Atherton Mill and 9th Street. The trolley shares station stops with the light rail service, but utilizes terminals which are physically separated from the line. As of Summer 2009, one car operates weekends only. The trolley offers hourly departures from each end of the line, immediately following a light rail departure to avoid impacting regular operations. Trolleys also run during the week for charters and other special operations.

Equipment: Until the purchase of three Gomaco replica trolleys, the mainstay of Charlotte Trolley service was Duke Power car 85. Something of a local celebrity, car 85 was built in the Charlotte streetcar shops in 1927, and in 1938 it received the honor of being the last streetcar to operate in Charlotte. Following retirement it saw several secondary uses, finally becoming part of a house in Huntersville, NC. It was acquired by the Historic Landmarks Commission in 1986 and restored locally over a multi year period. The three Gomaco replica trolleys arrived in 2004.

More details of the fascinating saga that is Charlotte Trolley can be read in the Updates section below.

Photos


The Southern terminus for the Vintage Trolley overlay service.	The trolley has its own track at this location, protected by the derail in the foreground.	Northbound, approaching the East/West Blvd. station.


The attractive new Lynx stations (this is Bland Street) include live trees on the platforms. Note the condos along the tracks.	The new Charlotte Trolley "Powerhouse Museum" is located adjacent to the Bland St. station	A former Connecticut Company streetcar is used as a classroom inside the museum building.


The museum's main floor is a multi-purpose space. Future exhibits are being planned to be moveable.	Southbound trolley at Carson Street station. Condominiums line much of the light rail alignment.	Northbound run approaching the Morehead Street overpass.


Approaching Morehead Street southbound.	Northbound run passing over the Interstate 74 bridge into downtown Charlotte.	Northbound car arriving at the Stonewall station.


The stations were built with a separate boarding area for the trolleys which is at railhead height.	The 7th Street station is the northern terminal of the Lynx station. The trolleys stop here and then operate to a separate terminus at 9th.	The 9th Street trolley terminus remains from the original trolley only operation. It allows the trolleys to turn back independently of the light rail schedules.


Heading southbound through the light rail platform at 7th Street.	Southbound runs cross over just past the station.	Interior of one of the Gomaco replica cars. Longitudinal seating has been used to permit a wheelchair to move through the car.


Operator's controls in one of the Gomaco cars. A cab signal system has been fitted to permit operation on the light rail alignment.	The trolleys and light rail vehicles share a new state-of-the-art maintenance facility.	On the inspection pit inside the maintenance facility.


The car that started it all, Duke Power 85. First restored by volunteers in the early 1990s, the car was upgraded in 2004 with the same type of truck as used on the Gomaco cars, as well as a chopper-type control system. Cab signals were also fitted to permit its use on the light rail alignment. The car is now used only for special events.
John Smatlak photos.

News & Updates (Scroll Down for Latest Updates)

4/3/01- Crowder Construction of Charlotte is the apparent low bidder for the contract to rebuild the entire 1.96 mile line and install overhead wire. The line will be graded for double track, but will initially receive only single track with passing sidings. The contract will also include reconstruction of the Stonewall St. bridge, which is where the current trolley operation ends. As yet unresolved is the method of bringing the line through the Charlotte Convention Center, which will be worked out later and included in a separate contract. The intention is for all construction to be compatible with light rail standards. Work started on April 2, and is scheduled for completion before the end of 2002. Sources: Rail Transit On Line, Charlotte Trolley.

5/22/01- During track reconstruction, service has been annulled over the line between South Blvd. and Stonewall St. Instead, the trolley is temporarily running south to Scaleybark, a distance of approximately 1.5 miles. Track work on the original line is expected to be completed as far as Park Ave. on July 1, and to Stonewall St. on August 1. Source: Charlotte Trolley. JS Photo.

11/01 Construction Update- construction on the 1.96 mile trolley corridor is progressing rapidly. The pictures below were taken by John Smatlak during the week of November 5, 2001. The corridor is really starting to take shape! Particularly impressive is all of the development taking place along the line. The trolley continues to operate with its towed generator, with overhead trolley wire expected to be finished by the August 2002.


Car 85 at the carbarn. The car is maintained in excellent condition.	Condos under construction adjacent to the trolley. The sign advertises condos "on the trolley"	Signage with info on the historic 'South End', typical of the high-quality work on the entire corridor.	A local restaurant picks up the trolley theme. The trolley theme runs throughout the South End.


Interior of car 85, restored by Charlotte Trolley volunteers from a carbody. Running gear came from a Melbourne streetcar.	Car 85 leaving the carbarn area. Note the short stretch of overhead wire.	The junction between the carbarn lead and the trolley corridor, currently the southern limit of the new construction.	Car 85 passes by freshly poured sidewalks.


Welded rail and concrete ties have been used throughout the corridor.	The generator is pushed northbound and trails southbound.	Bland St. station, a simple wooden shelter.	Crossing Bland St. heading north, more new condos under construction at right.

			Photos by John Smatlak
Approaching Morehead St. southbound.	Looking out over the bridge over I-277.	Both of CT's generators sport ads for local sponsors

12/01 Convention Center trackage presents additional challenges- When construction of the new trolley corridor was approved, the final design for routing the line through the Charlotte Convention Center was deferred. With the new right-of-way now in place on either side of this gap, the issue has assumed center stage with the emergence of several costly, and time-consuming proposals for completion. The local business community has expressed its strong support for the trolley line in several recent op-ed pieces in local media outlets. "Put Trolley on Track" Business Journal, December 7, and, "Will light-rail trains derail trolley effort?" Charlotte.Com December 9, are both worth a look.

In the photo, car 85 is at the current end of the line. The Convention Center is the low-rise white building in the right background. Bridge piers are already in place to carry the elevated track to the spot where the track is planned to pass through the structure.

12/16/01- The debate continues over routing of the trolley corridor through the Charlotte Convention Center. The December 14th edition of the Business Journal had this in-depth article.

2/7/02- The February 2002 edition of Rail Transit Online had this update on the Convention Center issues-

City officials have suddenly done an about face and now say they can get the heritage trolley extension from the South End to the Uptown area running by next February. The original plan called for the line, which is now under construction, to open in August of this year. The tracks would be shared with the proposed $331-million South CorridorLRT line that won’t be completed until February 2006. But the route cuts through the main hall of the Charlotte Convention Center, where engineers decided to build an elaborate, glass-enclosed and sealed tunnel complete with an underpass so that people using the facility would not have to walk across the tracks. However, the trolley could have begun operation without the tunnel because the streetcars would be smaller, lighter and run less frequently than LRVs. But convention center officials did not want to tear up the building twice and also felt they had a better chance of getting federal funding if the whole job was done at once. So it was decided to hold off trolley service until light rail could be completed, a decision that angered business owners who were looking forward to the new customers the streetcars would bring. The new plan calls for construction to take place in the center’s public areas only once. That would happen this year and will include track laying and other changes needed for light rail. In 2005, the rest of the work would take place in a service area away from public view. The underpass, complete with elevators and escalators, would be installed as part of a planned expansion of the convention center. The city council will vote on the plan Feb. 25. Meanwhile, a revised proposal for building the tunnel is also scheduled to be ready this month, one that should cost far less than the $32 million previously estimated. A draft EIS on the 15-station, 10.3 mile LRT project should be ready in March.

6/1/02- Construction Update: Poles for the overhead wire are now being installed. It is expected that the overhead wire work will be completed by the Fall, and that the trolleys will begin operating via the trolley wire (instead of their tow-behind generators) by the end of the year. Also, the City of Charlotte has agreed to move ahead with the Convention Center track work; they expect to to award the contract in June, with work starting in July. This will permit Charlotte trolley to operate over the entire 1.96 trolley corridor, without having to wait for the completion of the full 10.3 mile light rail line in 2006. Source- Charlotte Trolley

This map from Jon Bell's transportation web site provides a good look at the current trolley corridor. Mr. Bell's site also has a series of excellent construction photos. Map credit: Jon Bell

6/10/02- Construction Photos: Thanks to Bill Blomgren of Charlotte Trolley for sending in these recent photos of the overhead wire system being installed.

			Photos by Bill Blomgren
Setting overhead line poles, 5/14/02

6/17/02- Construction Photos: Jon Bell's website has been updated to include a number of recent construction views, divided into two groups; South End and Uptown. A few are found below, check out his website for more.

Photos by Jon Bell

New passing siding at Bland

Convention Center, January 2002

Aerial view south thru downtown

11/21/02- Construction Photos: Jon Bell's website has once again been updated with some recent construction photos. The photos detail the progress on spanning the gap in the line with a link through the Charlotte Convention Center.

3/14/03- Charlotte Trolley in Transition- As the $20.3 million trolley infrastructure project approaches completion, the non-profit Charlotte Trolley Inc. finds itself in a transitional period that marks the beginning of a new era for the group.

As of this date, the installation of the overhead trolley wire and two substations is essentially complete on the two mile line, with testing expected to begin in the near future. The construction of the elaborate suspension system that will support the track as it passes through the Charlotte Convention Center has been completed, although the track has not yet been laid on this short section. One other gap still exists in the line, adjacent to the Westin Hotel construction site. Track should be laid here as soon as the construction on the adjacent hotel site wraps up. Car 85 continues to run three days a week, towing its generator behind. To date, grade crossing protection continues to be provided by an onboard policeman. As for the group's other cars, the Greek single-truck car is receiving testing and running gear work, the single-truck Birney is in the midst of a major overhaul, including work on its underframe, and the group continues to work on development and implementation of a plan to convert the double-ended PCC-type suburban car from its present Pennsylvania broad gauge to standard gauge running gear.

As Charlotte Trolley Inc. (CTI) and Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) prepare to launch daily trolley service, a number of implementation issues are now receiving new attention. To begin, the suitability of CTI's current group of cars to perform daily service has been questioned, and the need to finalize plans for a permanent storage and maintenance facility is also being scrutinized. CATS' consultants have studied the issues at hand and issued a report, and CATS is currently weighing the options. The announcement that CTI's historic cars were perhaps not the best option for daily service apparently came as quite a surprise to the local business community, which has invested an estimated $400 million along the trolley corridor over the past three years. CATS initial recommendation to reduce the level of trolley service to weekends and lunchtime only during the week proved to be quite controversial. Since then, other options are being looked at, including the possibility of refurbishing two of CTI's cars, and acquiring two or more new replica cars. This option has been suggested in an article in the Charlotte Business Journal entitled "Getting Charlotte's Trolley Back on Track". Penned by Lynn Wheeler, an at-large member of the Charlotte City Council. The article is recommended reading and provides a good look at the current situation. (Ed. note: a March 13th article in the Charlotte Observer reports that CATS is talking to Little Rock, Arkansas about leasing two of their new Gomaco replica trolleys. The trolleys are done but the line is not ready yet)

With the significant investment and intense level of interest in the trolley corridor, it seems a solution will shortly be worked out. Certainly the project has come an incredibly long way from its roots as a single car being operated with a generator over disused freight railway tracks. We look forward to reporting on further developments. Sources: CTI Staff, Charlotte Business Journal

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Tremont Station Park Station New OCS pole Morehead underpass

Photos by Jon Bell, February 2003

March 2003 photos from Jon Bell's website

7/10/03- I have posted links to two news articles from June detailing the ongoing work by CATS to get Charlotte Trolley up and running. On a related note, consideration is being given to leasing two of the Gomaco replica cars built for Little Rock, Arkansas. Little Rock is not able to accept delivery of the two cars at this time and so a lease may prove workable.

11/3/03 Updates- Local Transit Agency Will Run Vintage Trolley Service- An early 2004 date now looks probable for the start of daily service on the new trolley corridor. The final phases of construction, and the source of considerable delays, have been the track running over the Westin Hotel's parking deck, and the trackage through the Convention Center.

With the start of daily service, Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) personnel will assume responsibility for operating and maintaining the vintage trolley service. According to Charlotte Trolley's August Trolley Update, "Charlotte Trolley's volunteers will continue to serve as docents and ambassadors, riding the cars during peak tourist hours, explaining the role of the electric streetcar system in Charlotte's development and offering a guided tour of the personalities and landmarks associated with the trolley corridor."

In other trolley news, the City of Charlotte is moving ahead with engineering for the renovation of the City's original trolley barn at South Boulevard and Bland Street. The historic building will be rebuilt to serve as the maintenance facility for the trolley line, with up to four tracks feeding in from the trolley right-of-way, which runs past the back of the building. An order has been placed with the Gomaco Trolley Company for three new replica vintage trolleys for delivery in mid-2004. The cars will be similar to those produced for Tampa and Little Rock, and will feature air conditioning and on-board wheelchair lifts. In addition, discussions continue with Little Rock, Arkansas for the possible lease of two of their Gomaco-built trolleys. The two leased cars would serve together with Charlotte Trolley's vintage car No. 85 until the new cars are delivered. Charlotte Trolley has been providing weekend service with car 85 since 1996. Sources: Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Business Journal, Historic South End, Gomaco Trolley.

2/3/04 Updates- The Charlotte Trolley page on the Historic South End website provides the following updates for February 2004:

Trolley Corridor Construction: Contractors have completed the track work at the Convention Center. At the Westin Hotel parking deck, track work is well underway, and the City expects completion in the coming weeks. At that point, the overhead wire contractor can return to Charlotte for the final construction tasks. A preliminary test of the sub-station and overhead wire occurred in the South End early in January, and all went well. The City assures us we are still on-track for a February/March completion – and then service can begin into Uptown!

Trolley Service To Resume in Late February: Due to final construction on the corridor and office construction at our Atherton Mill barn, Charlotte Trolley has suspended its weekend service from January 5, 2004 until February 19, 2004. We are scheduling tours and parties in March, and we look forward to serving you again very soon!

Restoration of Charlotte Car #85: We have taken advantage of this out-of-service period to advance the restoration of Car #85 – Charlotte’s last remaining 1920s electric streetcar. When we resume service in late February, the car will have new trucks, new wiring, new window sills, new door mechanisms and much more.

Historic Trolley Barn Purchase: On December 30, 2003, Mecklenburg County and Charlotte Trolley purchased the Southern Public Utilities Trolley Barn at South Boulevard & Bland Street. The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) has agreed to restore this facility to its 1920s look, and the site will eventually house CATS’ trolley operations as well as Charlotte Trolley’s museum and restoration shop. In the coming months, Charlotte Trolley will begin fundraising efforts to support the upfit of this one-of-a-kind structure.

August 2004 Updates- The full trolley route finally began daily operation on June 28, 2004. An overhauled Car 85 is now operating from overhead trolley wire and the tow-behind generator has been retired. Not surprisingly, public interest was overwhelming and one car could not possibly keep up with the demand for rides. On July 29, a second car, leased from the Gomaco Trolley Company, joined No. 85. Three Gomaco replicas are due later this year, and the Gomaco website has several pages detailing the construction of these new cars.

Jon Bell has added several pictures of the expanded operation to his website, several of which are presented below. Congratulations to all at Charlotte Trolley and CATS on completing this next major step!

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Gomaco open car 1776 at the 9th St. end of the extended line

Car No. 85 at 6th St.

Car No. 1776 at 6th St.

Car No. 85 leaves the Convention CEnter.

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Gomaco open car 1776 crossing Tremont St.

Exiting the Convention Center

Photos by Jon Bell

December 2004 Updates- Charlotte Trolley began using their three new Gomaco replica trolleys beginning October 16. The Gomaco website has an excellent page with photos of the debut of the new cars. The Charlotte cars are also something of a debut for Gomaco. Although they utilize the company's standard double-truck Birney replica carbody, they feature a solid state chopper control system in place of the traditional K-type platform controllers used on the majority of the company's products to date. A few photos are reproduced below, with additional pictures available on the Gomaco website.

In other developments, CATS is pondering how to construct their new South Corridor Light Rail line (which overlaps the present trolley corridor) while minimizing the impact on the existing trolley service. Several sources report that Charlotte Trolley operations may be temporarily suspended in late 2005 as construction begins on the light rail line (link to Charlotte Business Journal article). Also, Charlotte city planners are taking a look at the possibility of a modern streetcar line in the Center City area. Click here for a link to the Charlotte Business Journal article and here for a link to the CATS press release for more details. Finally, the Gomaco Trolley replica "open car" that helped start up the expanded trolley operations in Charlotte has moved on to the TECO Electric Streetcar Line in Tampa.

New Gomaco replica cars on line in Charlotte

Photos by Gomaco Trolley Company

March 2005 Updates- With construction now underway on the CATS South Corridor Light Rail project, it now appears that the Charlotte Trolley will cease operation entirely in February 2006 for a seven month period, to be followed by two months of limited service, before returning to a full schedule. Light Rail operations are scheduled to begin in April 2007, at which time the Vintage Trolley operations will probably operate during off peak hours. The saga of the trolley maintenance facility also continues, with the project currently on hold pending resolution of funding issues.

Jon Bell has updated his website with some additional pictures of Charlotte Trolley operations as of February 2005. A few of the photos appear below, check out Jon's site for more.

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Charlotte trolley operations February 2005

Photos by Jon Bell

March 2006 Updates- as planned, Charlotte Trolley operations shut down effective February 6, 2006. The operation is expected to remain shuttered for one year during construction of the new 9.6 mile South Corridor portion of the "Lynx" Light Rail system. Trolley service is slated to resume in 2007, although in a modified form, as it will be sharing tracks with the new LRT operation. The 1/6/06 Charlotte Business Journal contained an interesting Letter to the Editor from a developer urging continued support for expanding the trolley.

November 2007 Updates- the new South Corridor Light Rail line is now scheduled to open on November 24. Reports are that the Vintage Trolley vehicles will remain on hiatus until at least February 2008, giving the new system time to get everything running smoothly first.

In other Charlotte Trolley news, on September 26 the group broke ground on a new Trolley Barn and interpretive center adjacent to the Bland Street station. Although the facility will be adjacent to the new line, it will not initially have a track connection to the system. It will however provide a home base for CT operations and a location from which to continue its educational activities. Additional details are available on the CT website.

Finally, Charlotte Trolley has announced that it has struck a deal with the Ft. Collins Municipal Railway to sell former Fort Collins Birney car 25 to the group. One of five Fort Collins streetcars still in existence, it had been purchased by Charlotte Trolley in 1999 from a public utility company in Charlestown S.C. The FCMRS plans to restore the car for operation along with sister Car 21. Further details are available on the group's website.

April 2008 Updates- Vintage Trolley service returned to Charlotte on April 20, now fully integrated into the new South Corridor Light Rail line. The cars will operate on weekends through May and then assume a daily schedule. Jon Bell has more details of the return to service on his informative website. Congratulations to all at Charlotte Trolley!


Vintage Trolley service resumed April 20, 2008. Jon Bell photos

June 2009 Updates- Regular Vintage Trolley service is now being run on weekends only, although weekday operations also take place for charters and special events. One car operates from 10 am to 5 pm both Saturday and Sunday.

In other news, progress continues to be made towards the creation of a new inner-city streetcar line in Charlotte. The proposed 10-mile alignment could ultimately link the main CATS transit center downtown with the Eastland Mall Transit Center. About one-half mile of double track for the new line is being installed during the rebuilding of Elizabeth Avenue between Kings Drive and Hawthorne Lane. On June 3, the City Council voted to keep $8M in the 2010 budget for additional studies and engineering work, click here for a related article in the Charlotte Business Journal.

New streetcar track being laid in Elizabeth Avenue. Three views looking southeast along Elizabeth towards Hawthorne Lane. John Smatlak photos.