U.S. Vintage Trolley Systems

John Smatlak - Railway Preservation Resources

California Vintage Trolley Systems

Sacramento

Sacramento Regional Transit

Began Operation: in planning

Miles of Line: *  

Stations:  *

Org: Transit Agency + Non-Profit  

Schedule: *

John Smatlak photo, click to enlarge

In 1999, Sacramento Regional Transit purchased a beautifully restored trolley (PG&E 35) from the California Trolley & Railroad Corporation in San Jose. The car had been completely rebuilt in the late1980s as part of group of seven immaculately restored trolleys for operation in San Jose. Car 35 is operated on special occasions over a portion of the Light Rail system in the downtown area.  Car 35 had returned to Sacramento once before, in 1991, coinciding with RailFair at the California State Railroad Museum. 

Interest in establishing a permanent streetcar circulator system in California's capitol city has been steadily building in recent years. The non-profit "Friends of Light Rail and Transit" group has been providing research and technical assistance as part of its mission to "promote community dialogue regarding pedestrian-friendly land use planning around light rail stations, expansion of Sacramento's light rail and bus transit system, and reintroduction of historic trolley service".

In 1991, FLRT set up an Historic Trolley Committee to assist with technical study and acquisition of carbodies which might serve as the basis for an historic trolley fleet. The group now owns five carbodies, PG&E 18, Sacramento Northern 27, PG&E 36, PG&E 65, and Oakland car 356. The group is now concentrating on finding indoor storage for the carbodies and setting up a restoration shop.