River Street streetcar
Encyclopedia
The River Street Streetcar is a heritage streetcar
line in Savannah, Georgia
in the United States
. It began regular operation on February 11, 2009 and shuttles between 7 stops along River Street, next to the Savannah River
.
s began operation in Savannah in 1869. Electric streetcars started operation in 1890 but were discontinued on August 26, 1946. The Norfolk Southern Railway
had owned the River Street branch line for years, operating the River Street Rambler, which was a local freight train, until 2003.
The city of Savannah purchased the River Street Branch line right-of-way from Norfolk Southern in 2004 for approximately $600,000. The streetcar now runs along the abandoned railroad tracks in the cobblestones on River Street east and west of City Hall.
To provide streetcar service a 1930s-era W5-class streetcar (#756), originally from Melbourne
, Australia
, was purchased by the city for about $207,000 and converted to power its motors with an onboard biodiesel
-fueled generator and batteries as a hybrid drive for an additional $100,000. Hence it is a form of diesel railcar
. The streetcar was nicknamed "Dottie'" — a reference to the Savannah DOT that completed the project. The service was initially introduced during the Climate Action Parade on December 9, 2008. Additional free rides were provided for a day on December 13, 2008. Regular operations started on February 11, 2009.
From west to east the station stops along the line are:
Later, the River Street Line may be extended to the city's Roundhouse Railroad Museum
and Visitor Center, provided that Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard could have new streetcar tracks
laid along it. Other new lines have been planned, which most likely will run on abandoned railroad tracks throughout the city, such as on Fahm Street.
While the River Street Line's streetcar currently operates on a biodiesel
fueled internal combustion engine, the future lines will probably be electrified by overhead wires.
Either replica or vintage streetcars could be used for the future extensions. The restoration of Birney Safety Car
#656, a single-truck
streetcar, is another likelihood.
Heritage streetcar
Heritage streetcars or heritage trams are a development of the heritage railways that are becoming popular across the world. As with modern streetcar systems, the vehicles are referred to as trams or tramcars in the United Kingdom, Australasia and certain other places , but as streetcars or...
line in Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It began regular operation on February 11, 2009 and shuttles between 7 stops along River Street, next to the Savannah River
Savannah River
The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
.
History
The first horsecarHorsecar
A horsecar or horse-drawn tram is an animal-powered streetcar or tram.These early forms of public transport developed out of industrial haulage routes that had long been in existence, and from the omnibus routes that first ran on public streets in the 1820s, using the newly improved iron or steel...
s began operation in Savannah in 1869. Electric streetcars started operation in 1890 but were discontinued on August 26, 1946. The Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
had owned the River Street branch line for years, operating the River Street Rambler, which was a local freight train, until 2003.
The city of Savannah purchased the River Street Branch line right-of-way from Norfolk Southern in 2004 for approximately $600,000. The streetcar now runs along the abandoned railroad tracks in the cobblestones on River Street east and west of City Hall.
To provide streetcar service a 1930s-era W5-class streetcar (#756), originally from Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, was purchased by the city for about $207,000 and converted to power its motors with an onboard biodiesel
Biodiesel
Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil- or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting of long-chain alkyl esters. Biodiesel is typically made by chemically reacting lipids with an alcohol....
-fueled generator and batteries as a hybrid drive for an additional $100,000. Hence it is a form of diesel railcar
Railcar
A railcar, in British English and Australian English, is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers. The term "railcar" is usually used in reference to a train consisting of a single coach , with a driver's cab at one or both ends. Some railways, e.g., the Great Western...
. The streetcar was nicknamed "Dottie'" — a reference to the Savannah DOT that completed the project. The service was initially introduced during the Climate Action Parade on December 9, 2008. Additional free rides were provided for a day on December 13, 2008. Regular operations started on February 11, 2009.
Schedule and stations
The streetcar operates Thursday through Sunday from 12:00 noon to 9:00 p.m.From west to east the station stops along the line are:
- Montgomery Street
- Barnard Street
- City Hall – Transit Terminal connection to city buses and the Savannah Belles ferryFerryA ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
- Abercorn Street
- Habersham Street
- Houston Street
- Waving Girl Landing – connection to the Savannah Belles ferry to Hutchinson Island
Future expansion
In the spring of 2009 it was hoped that the operating schedule will be expanded to six days a week and operating hours will be extended hours to 10:00 p.m. each evening. A second car for the current single-car service will allow for operation of a two-car train that will be bidirectional.Later, the River Street Line may be extended to the city's Roundhouse Railroad Museum
Roundhouse Railroad Museum
The Roundhouse Railroad Museum is located at the Savannah Shops Complex of the Central of Georgia Railway in Savannah, Georgia. The complex is considered one of the most complete antebellum railroad complexes in the southern United States...
and Visitor Center, provided that Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard could have new streetcar tracks
Tramway track
Tramway track is used on tramways or light rail operations. Grooved rails are often used in order to make street running feasible...
laid along it. Other new lines have been planned, which most likely will run on abandoned railroad tracks throughout the city, such as on Fahm Street.
While the River Street Line's streetcar currently operates on a biodiesel
Biodiesel
Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil- or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting of long-chain alkyl esters. Biodiesel is typically made by chemically reacting lipids with an alcohol....
fueled internal combustion engine, the future lines will probably be electrified by overhead wires.
Either replica or vintage streetcars could be used for the future extensions. The restoration of Birney Safety Car
Birney
A Birney or Birney Safety Car is a type of streetcar that was manufactured in the United States in the 1910s and 1920s. The design was small and light and was intended to be an economical means of providing frequent service at a lower infrastructure and labor cost than conventional streetcars...
#656, a single-truck
Bogie
A bogie is a wheeled wagon or trolley. In mechanics terms, a bogie is a chassis or framework carrying wheels, attached to a vehicle. It can be fixed in place, as on a cargo truck, mounted on a swivel, as on a railway carriage/car or locomotive, or sprung as in the suspension of a caterpillar...
streetcar, is another likelihood.
See also
- Central of Georgia Railroad: Savannah Shops and Terminal FacilitiesCentral of Georgia Railroad: Savannah Shops and Terminal FacilitiesThe Central of Georgia Railroad: Savannah Shops and Terminal Facilities is a historic district in Savannah, Georgia, that was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1978. It is dominated by the Central of Georgia Depot and Trainshed, a passenger depot and trainshed constructed...
- Hybrid train
- Roundhouse Railroad MuseumRoundhouse Railroad MuseumThe Roundhouse Railroad Museum is located at the Savannah Shops Complex of the Central of Georgia Railway in Savannah, Georgia. The complex is considered one of the most complete antebellum railroad complexes in the southern United States...
- Savannah Historic DistrictSavannah Historic DistrictThe Savannah Historic District is a large urban U.S. historic district that roughly corresponds to the city limits of Savannah, Georgia, prior to the American Civil War....