HomeMy WebLinkAboutInterurban Update 1994 Interurban update for September 7, 1994 meeting of the College Station Historic
Preservation Committee- submitted by Greg Keith.
Over the summer I have thought a lot about the possibility of reviving the Interurban
Trolley. This is a long- term project that requires ten steps.
1) Additional research for accurate pictures, descriptions, and technical information on the
trolleys.
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2) An aggressive search for one or more of the five original trolley shells (There were two
or three at first #200, #201, #202, some longer versions #203, #204, and two electrical cars,
#300 and #301. The trailers were probably #100 and #101. A trolley of the same year
and make would suffice. The search would include placing articles or ads in the Texas
Aggie, Texas Highways, and other publications. Trips would have to be made to verify
the existence and authenticity of tips received.
3) Aquire a trolley shell. This should be free or very inexpensive. For example, it may
require trading a farmer an aluminum shed for the trolley shell.
4) Display the trolley in the state it was found in a prominent place to create awareness.
Include some historical interpretation and information on future plans.
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5) Seek funding, and or financing to restore the trolley as authentically as possible. Try to
involve Texas A &M, George Bush Presidential Library, College Station, Bryan, railroad
and traction enthusiasts, and the state of Texas (ISTEA $). The Interurban should be
marketed as an element to enhance tourism in the area.
6) As the trolley nears completion, rent a building for a station at northgate or one of the
other sides of campus. The station should be along the proposed trolley route. An ideal
location for the station would be at the Bulls Eye restaurant at Northgate (This
establishment can't last too much longer). The station should be nostalgic in appearance.
Tickets, souvenirs, memorabilia, tour maps, broshures, and snacks could be obtained here.
The station could also function as a museum. I have often thought it would be interesting
to have a model of the campus depicting the time before Old Main burned. A campus
model set in June 1910 (The date trolley service began) would include Old Main and the
Mess Hall which burned within the next year.
7) A trolley route should be proposed. The initial trolley route should be thought of as the
most efficient and necessary to handle increased tourism as a result of the George Bush
library and the Special Events Center. For example, the best route might be as follows:
start at the Texas Avenue hotel district north of University Avenue, turn west on
University Avenue and stop at the Interurban Station - Northgate. Continue under the
Wellborn overpass on Raymond Stotzer Parkway. Turn south at the McKenzie terminal
entrance and stop at the terminal to service airport customers. Continue in the appropriate
corridor to service the George Bush Library, Special Events Center, and Kyle Field. From
Kyle Field turn south down Wellborn to service Amtrak. At this point the Interurban
could turn around and ride the same track or head east down George Bush and north
down Texas to complete the route.
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8) Funding, and or financing for laying track and electrification of the proposed route.
9) Track completed and electrification in place. Fares and operation procedures must be
set before service begins.
10) Service begins for the restored 1910 Bryan - College Station Interurban.
I spoke to John Landrum, a former student working at the McKinney Avenue Transit
Authority in Dallas. He seems enthusiastic about restoring the Interurban Trolley. He
would like for our committee to tour his streetcar facilities in Dallas. Some points he
stressed were that the line should be electrified (The Bryan- College Interurban was
gasoline - powered from 1910 -1915. From 1915 -1923 the line was electrified). He said he
powers the entire operation, barn and streetcars, for under $1000 per month. His research
has found that trolley routes are viewed as infrastructure by citizens and businesses. The
line adds an element of stability to the community as the routes and schedules are
established.
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Gomaco Trolley Company's latest trolley, #1979, is shown during testing on the rails in Dallas,
Texas (above) and on display at the International Public Transit Expo '93 in New Orleans, Louisiana
The single-truck trolley is an original Gomaco Trolley Company design. 4
(right).
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