New Orleans, Louisiana

Perley Thomas Replica #2022 on the Canal Street line at North Carrollton/St. Peter. Photo by Peter Ehrlich, April 2004.

Overview

New Orleans is a very unique city bustling with history. It is no surprise that this rolls over to their streetcar system. New Orleans' residents are very particular in that they are called streetcars, and not trolleys. A "trolley" is technically a mechanism that transmits electric current to the motors. New Orleans had their streetcars for over 60 years before a trolley device was used to power them, and was in fact the first city west of the Allegheny Mountains to begin passenger rail service.

By the 1920's, New Orleans had over 200 miles of streetcar trackage criss-crossing through the city. Eventually, almost all of that trackage was abandoned and ripped up in favor of more "modern" buses. By the 1950's, all that was left of this vast system was the Desire Streetcar Line, the Canal Street Line, and the St. Charles Line. The Desire route shut down in the 1950's and in the mid 1960's New Orleans lost the Canal Street route, leaving the St. Charles Line all by itself. Thankfully, that sad story has changed, and continues to change as new lines open, and others are being planned.

The streetcars are run by the RTA, the Regional Transit Authority, which also runs the buses in New Orleans. The one way fare is $1.50, allowing one transfer. A day pass could be bought for $5.00, or a 3-day pass for $12.00. These day or 3-day passes are good for unlimited use on all the streetcars or buses.

The Lines

St. Charles Line

Canal Street Line

Riverfront Line

The Future of Streetcars in New Orleans

The future of streetcars in New Orleans is bright. In addition to all the additions to the system over the last decade, there is another route planned. There may one day be a "Streetcar Named Desire" once again, as the RTA is planning a restoration of about 3 miles of the former Desire Corridor route. The proposed line would run from Canal Street to Poland Avenue using N. Rampart St. and St. Claude Ave. The line would loop back (similar to the St. Charles Line at Canal) in a loop formed by Canal, Basin, Toulouse, and N. Rampart Streets. The stations are proposed to be ground level center island platforms, many with canopies.

The project has been widely accepted, and NIMBY objections are minimal, with a few concerns that were worked out. The biggest obstacle at this point seems to between the RTA and the Norfolk Southern Railway. The Desire Streetcar line would have to cross the NS right of way at grade near St. Claude Ave. and Press St. The RTA proposed elaborate lights and gates along with other solutions, but the railroad has refused any plan that does not entail complete grade separation. An underpass was ruled out by the RTA because of the flooding nature of New Orleans, and residents refuse to accept an overpass as they feel it would destroy the historic feel of the neighborhood. The Desire Corridor route may be scrapped if a concession can not be worked out between NS and the RTA, or the line will have to terminate at the NS tracks, well short of the planned terminal. It will be interesting to see how they will solve this final snag in this otherwise completed proposal. Other than that, streetcars flourish once again in New Orleans, and will for many years to come.

Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

On August 29, 2005, the worst hurricane in New Orleans history smashed into town. Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the Crescent City, with 140mph winds and monsoon rains, crumbling levees and putting entire neighborhoods under five feet of water. Hundreds of houses and businesses were destroyed or heavily damaged. The streetcar system suffered badly, with floodwaters inundating the new A. Philip Randolph Maintenance Facility and rendering the new Van Dullen fleet of Canal cars and six of the seven Riverfront trolleys inoperable. The new trackway, however, was virtually untouched. Over on the St. Charles line, Carrollton Station escaped flooding and damage, as did the 35 vintage 1924 Perley Thomas streetcars, but the line itself was knocked out by falling trees, light poles and overhead wires and cables. Much of the bus fleet was also rendered useless by the flooding. RTA lost hundreds of its employees to forced evacuation. Gradually, RTA personnel returned, enabling some buses to resume limited service.

In December, RTA streetcar personnel towed St. Charles car 930 over to Canal Street for a test of the car on the intact tracks of Canal Street and Riverfront. The test was a success, and 8 cars were on hand for startup of limited service on December 18, 2005. Service runs daily between 6:30am and 10:00pm. By April, all of Canal Street may reopen for service with more St. Charles cars moved over. Meanwhile, work has begun to rebuild St. Charles; however, service is not expected to return until Fall 2007. In addition, a Canal car and a Riverfront trolley have been moved to Brookville Equipment for evaluation of the work needed to get the Canal/Riverfront fleets back in service; estimates are running about $1 million per car.

Restoration of streetcar service is considered a major element in the rebuilding of New Orleans.

Service Map (Normal Operations)