From AP news today:
QuoteSAVANNAH, GA (AP) -- Tourists visiting Savannah's historic riverfront will soon be able to hitch a ride on a 1930s streetcar that's scheduled to return to service this month.
City officials plan to have the free shuttle running Feb. 11. The streetcar will cover 10 blocks along the cobblestone promenade of shops and restaurants facing the Savannah River.
The city spent about $1 million to buy the tracks used by the streetcar and to restore its vintage look.
Under the hood, it's a bit more modern. The streetcar has been upgraded with a hybrid engine that runs on electricity and biodiesel fuel.
Its nice to see they were able to use existing assets to get something up and running for a cheap price. This is an example of another project done without waiting on handouts from the FTA.
As luck would have it, I ate dinner on the Savannah waterfront tonight and noticed this street car immediately. I actually think I saw at least two different vehicles based on the signage. To get more attention, they have ringed the upper area with a multicolored blinking LED light display.
They run on the very same rails that freight trains used to run on many years ago on my visits to Savannah (I remember once the train engineer having to stop his train, get out, and come into a restaurant we were eating at to ask a patron to move their car off the tracks so he could pass).
I have to say everytime I visit Savannah, I am impressed by the history so beautifully preserved and appreciated. The oak covered steets and squares are always impressive and unique. Even on this very cold day, their downtown was bustling with people throughout in the late afternoon - early evening. Who says historic preservation can't have economic benefits and revitalize a downtown? Jax has missed out on a lot to date here.
While they'll still get the majority of the benefits of heritage streetcar, I think they have stumbled three points. (both fixable with little effort).
(http://www.railwaypreservation.com/vintagetrolley/Savannah_756_f_sm.jpg)
1. Buying a historic Australian car which to most fans are about the ugliest streetcar designs ever created. Don't get me wrong, they have a great ride quality (as do most LARGE cars) and are quite comfortable and nostalgic inside. Your not going to excite many US Railroad fans with this car... Sort of like going to a POWER CAR RALLY and some dude shows up in an MG or TR3, and parks next to Corvettes, Prowlers, Mustangs, Cameros, etc. HA! HA!
(http://www.railwaypreservation.com/vintagetrolley/109.jpg)
One of the things that makes vintage TYPE replica cars my favorites? Excellent ship fitter type woodwork, art, polish, shine, beauty and all the benefits of modern ADA, AC, HEAT, motors etc. BEST OF BOTH WORLDS for 1/2 the price.
2. Not going electric, they completely compromised the history that the car had, even if one LIKED the looks of the damn thing. This is the equal of Jacksonville slapping that stupid false ceiling in Union Station for 30 years. IT'S JUST NOT REAL. Hell I can build a Moped that will run on tracks with a simple outrigger wheel. DON'T SCREW WITH HISTORY.
(http://www.railwaypreservation.com/vintagetrolley/756_Savannah_sm.jpg)
3. Open car (not shown) is a poor homemade attempt at a copy of the Disney Main Street Streetcar. Again no historic value and no electric. Okay for kiddies but the outside looks like the baby died and the afterbirth lived!
(http://www.railwaypreservation.com/vintagetrolley/Savannah_756_c_sm.jpg)
Now you can SEE that it doesn't need to be in a street - PLEASE RETIRE THAT NOTION.
Yet they have streetcar up and running, which puts them leagues ahead of big sister to the South! All they need now is some consultant to show them a way to make it REAL and they're in the money. Consultant? Did Someone Say Consultant? DAMN THE LUCK!
OCKLAWAHA
BTW, this was the FIRST recorded rebuild from a true historic electric streetcar into a DMU "Doodlebug". Interesting, but for me it's sort of like grafting the dogs head to your pet parrot.
OCKLAWAHA
Duuuuude you cant have everything, be grateful that they are using the tracks and offering some local transit on river street. "don't worry be happy"
As I said Civil, "Don't get me wrong" they will get the benefits of streetcar. Many will love it. The only group (which accounts for a large portion of ridership on vintage railways) that they will suffer is the true blue trolley fan.
As I said, this is just a start, I really expect the wires to come up next with real electrics. Savannah is off and running, I'm damn proud of them and wish them all the best in this great adventure.
OCKLAWAHA
Look on the bright side, it could be worse. How about Lays without the chips?
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/454391696_TFofx-M.jpg)
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-3111-p1060100.JPG)
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-3117-p1060101.JPG)
lol...but they have REAL trolley too.
True, but the last two images are ours. It rides and smells like a yellow school bus, except the seats aren't as comfortable.
ahh, that's what I thought! I was thinking their interior looked just like ours...
What a concept, paying $250,000 dollars for a potato chip truck with wooden seats! WOW! That ought to bring in the tourists. What idiots we have become, Jacksonville is much better then these decision makers.
OCKLAWAHA
(http://www.railwaypreservation.com/vintagetrolley/Little_Rock_13_sm_interior.JPG)
Replica Streetcar with modern appliances. Built by Gomaco (if you want to google it).
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-3111-p1060100.JPG)
JTA fake trolley interior.
(http://www.railwaypreservation.com/vintagetrolley/Portland_VT_interior_sm.JPG)
REAL vintage restored streetcar interior - "look mom, no wooden slat seats!"
Eat your hearts out Jacksonville, and wake the heck up City Hall.
OCKLAWAHA