By 1920, the network of interurbans in the US was so dense that a determined commuter could theoretically
hop interlinked streetcars from Waterville, Maine, to Sheboygan, Wisconsin—a journey of 1,000 miles—exclusively by electric trolley.
hop interlinked streetcars from Waterville, Maine, to Sheboygan, Wisconsin—a journey of 1,000 miles—exclusively by electric trolley.
The video above shows a vintage 1932 trolley from Scranton, the "Electric City" of Pennsylvania.
The wires extended deep into forest and farmland,
making the electric railroads de facto intercity highways; after nightfall in the countryside, some farmers would signal the motorman to stop by burning a rag next to the track.
making the electric railroads de facto intercity highways; after nightfall in the countryside, some farmers would signal the motorman to stop by burning a rag next to the track.
Streetcars and interurbans became the dominant mode of urban transportation in North America, carrying
eleven billion passengers a year by the end of the First World War. (A story I document in my book #Straphanger.)
eleven billion passengers a year by the end of the First World War. (A story I document in my book #Straphanger.)
What happened? In the 1920s, cars really starting clogged the streets and highways, and the streetcars and interurbans, from being quick and efficient, became the most sluggish things on the road.
And GM and other pillars of motordom bought up many street railways...
And GM and other pillars of motordom bought up many street railways...
The rest is...history.
For the time being, the future is being written elsewhere. (As in #France, where 20+ cities have brought back tramways.) But never say never again...
To sum up:
"We are making great progress, but we are going in the wrong direction."
—Ogden Nash
"We are making great progress, but we are going in the wrong direction."
—Ogden Nash
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