Washington Streetcar Systems by John Smatlak

Washington Streetcar Systems

Cities:

Issaquah

Seattle

Tacoma

Tacoma Link

Began operation: 2003

Miles of Line: 1.6

Stations: 5

Org: transit agency

Schedule: daily

John Smatlak photo

Tacoma is located about 35 miles south of Seattle, both cities being served by the Sound Transit regional transit system. Tacoma's modern streetcar system opened in 2003, connecting the Tacoma Dome station (a regional bus and commuter rail hub) with Downtown Tacoma. Downtown is also home to a new convention center, museums, and a University of Washington campus. This relatively short line does not charge a fare and provides service on ten minute headways throughout most of the day, with 20 minute headways off-peak and on Sundays. Two cars operate on the line at one time, with the trip from the Tacoma Dome station to the Theater District terminus taking only 7 minutes. The fast, convenient service is currently (2009) attracting about 900,000 riders annually (source: Sound Transit).

Through downtown, the line is double track, with single track on the southern end towards the Tacoma Dome station. The line includes both tracks in shared traffic lanes and within a mountable center median. The single-track southern end of the line provides a good example of how bi-directional operation can be implemented on streets with relatively low traffic volumes. Some interesting active warning signs (as seen in the photos below) have been implemented along this section of the line.

In addition to the Link service, a grass-roots streetcar movement has emerged in Tacoma, generating interest in a city-wide streetcar network including a Vintage Trolley operation. Check the Tacoma Streetcar website for more details.

Tacoma shop exterior sm2.jpg (109026 bytes)

Tacoma shop exterior yard sm.jpg (121256 bytes)

Tacoma shop exterior approach distant sm.jpg (140039 bytes)

The three track Maintenance Facility houses the lines three cars and has room for additional vehicles anticipated for future expansion.

Access track beyond the Tacoma Dome station to reach the maintenance facility

Single track alignment on 25th St. Looking towards the Tacoma Dome station.

Turning from Pacific onto 25th.

This gas station driveway on 25th is protected with a blank out sign

Double track on Pacific Ave, approaching Union Station

The Union Station stop.

Tacoma Union Station sm.jpg (130363 bytes)

Tacoma's magnificent 1911 Union Station, now the lobby of a federal court house.

Leaving Pacific Ave. northbound

The connection between Pacific Ave and Commerce St., Convention Center in background.

Convention Center station on Commerce St.

The "platforms" for the Convention Center station on Commerce St. are located on the sidewalks.

Northbound on Commerce approaching the end of line.

The Theater District station, the northern terminus of the line.

John Smatlak photos

News and Updates

October 2009- Tacoma Link ridership continues to be strong, with 900,000 riders predicted for 2009 (source: Sound Transit). A visit in late September found the system running as efficiently as ever, the only noticeable difference being that the cars now carry interior and exterior advertising.


A view from atop the convention center with Union Station and the Tacoma Dome in the background	Descending on a short section of private right-of-way towards Pacific Ave.	The Union Station stop is a busy connection point to other transit services.	Double track right-of-way in the street median


Looking east down Puyallup Ave. towards the bridge.	Vehicle interior. Note the security guard riding along and the interior advertising.	At the Tacoma Dome terminus. Note the adaptively reused Freighthouse Square building at left.	On the other side of the Freighthouse Square building one finds the Sound Transit commuter rail platform.

John Smatlak photos

Links

Sound Transit Tacoma Link website

Tacoma Streetcar website

This page was last updated on 10/9/09