A Forgotten Era: The Rise and Fall of the American Trolley
An often-overlooked extension of the train family is the trolley, a symbol of urban transportation that once wove its way through the streets of America. There’s a certain mystery about the near extinction of operating trolleys in North America, but their story is rich with history. Recently, a colleague in the train travel industry recommended I watch a film titled The Trolley. Released in IMAX theaters in 2018, this visually stunning documentary chronicles the history and cultural significance of trolley systems worldwide.
Early one morning, I took him up on the offer and sat down to watch the film. What followed was a journey of nostalgia, as the movie paints a romanticized view of trolley travel, whisking passengers through the streets of bustling cities. This romanticism, however, quickly gave way to feelings of sorrow as the film delves into the reasons for the demise of the trolley in many North American cities.
The Golden Age of Trolleys in America
The American trolley, also known as a streetcar, enjoyed its heyday from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. These electrically powered vehicles were a game-changer, allowing city dwellers to move efficiently from one part of town to another. Trolleys helped shape the urban landscape, enabling the expansion of cities and the development of suburbs. By the 1920s, nearly every major American city had its own extensive streetcar network.
The affordability and convenience of trolleys made them incredibly popular. At its peak, the American trolley system was so expansive that there were over 30,000 miles of streetcar tracks crisscrossing the country. Cities like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia were all connected by intricate trolley lines, making public transportation easy and accessible for everyone.
The Downfall of the Trolley
As The Trolley film explains, the trolley’s downfall was swift and, in some cases, deliberate. The rise of the automobile industry, coupled with the development of bus systems, led to the decline of the streetcar. General Motors, in particular, played a controversial role in promoting bus systems as a replacement for trolleys. By the mid-20th century, many cities had dismantled their trolley lines, prioritizing roads and highways to accommodate cars and buses.
Watching the film, I was struck by how many American cities lost their trolleys almost overnight, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness. What would our cities look like today if these elegant, environmentally friendly forms of public transportation had survived? Would we be less dependent on cars? Could our urban landscapes have been more pedestrian-friendly and less congested? Decide for yourself by viewing the movie at www.stephenlow.com/project/the-trolley/
Trolleys Still Operate Today
Despite the widespread demise of trolley systems, some cities managed to preserve their streetcars. Places like San Francisco, New Orleans, and Toronto have kept their trolley systems alive, serving both as public transportation and as living reminders of an earlier era. In these cities, the trolley is not just a mode of transport but a cultural icon, linking the past to the present.
After viewing the film, I couldn’t help but imagine how much better our large cities might be if trolleys were still operating across the country. Picture the charm of riding a trolley to work or running errands, gliding effortlessly down the street, no traffic in sight. It’s a mode of transportation that feels more human and connected than the isolation of a car.
A Call to Rediscover the Trolley
The next time you visit a city with a trolley system, I encourage you to take a ride. It’s not just a way to get from point A to point B—it’s a trip back in time, a reminder of how cities once moved and thrived. As I’ve learned from both the film and my own experiences, there’s a unique charm to trolley travel that we often overlook in the hustle and bustle of modern life. I want to thank Steven Heister, a Board Member with the Northern Ohio Railway Museum for the recommendation.
If you find yourself visiting Bowling Green, Kentucky, perhaps to see the National Corvette Museum, Aviation Heritage Park, or Lost River Cave, you’ll want to take a Historic City Tour on the BG Trolley. It’s a fantastic way to explore the city’s history while riding a charming trolley. You can visit the website to learn more at www.bgtrolleytours.com.
In an age where we are constantly looking for greener, more efficient ways to travel, perhaps it’s time we take a closer look at the trolley. After all, what was old could be new again.