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February 19, 2006
Feature Photo: Lit Up for Carnival!
From around 1910, this photo by Teunisson is of the New Orleans Railway and Light Company headquarters building on Baronne in the CBD. NO Rwy & Lt. Co. was the immediate predecessor to NOPSI. It was the city's attempt to bring the management of all the street railways in New Orleans together. Prior to the formation of this company, various entrepeneurs started street railway service to different parts of town. By the 20th Century, the city's transit system had become more complex. The problems were made worse because some of the operating companies were poorly financed, others experienced technical difficulties, with equipment and rail gauge. When the street railway lines were electrified, purchasing electric power made the financial situation for several operating companies worse.
The city government stepped in and began efforts to unify the transit system. Since streetcars were the biggest consumer of electricity at the time, it made sense for the electric company to also run the streetcars. By 1922, the consolidation was complete and New Orleans Public Service, Incorporated, began operations.
This building on the corner of Baronne and Common Streets, served as NOPSI headquarters for years.
Posted by YatPundit at 10:33 PM | TrackBack
February 14, 2006
Feature Photo - Von Dullens at Randolph
From 2004, a bit of a fast-forward from last week's Feature Photo. The streetcar service and storage areas at Canal Station were converted entirely to bus operations in 1964. By the 1990s, the facility needed a total upgrade, so the original station buildings were torn down and the Randolph SIS constructed on the site. When RTA brought streetcars back to Canal, a new barn had to be built.
The new barn is behind the 1990s-vintage Randolph SIS facility. Streetcars enter on the side of the SIS building near N. Gayoso St. The tracks are on RTA property rather than actually on Gayoso, and there's a wall separating the facility from Warren Easton High School. The entrance is double-track, one going in, one coming out. The incoming track curves to the rear of the barn, and the streetcars exit from the front.
This shot is of the rear of the barn, with four 2000-series Von Dullen streetcars lined up on storage tracks. The 2000s are still in storage there, awaiting funds to begin the repair/rebuild process.
NOTE: The Feature Photo is late this week because I was up at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, F&AM.
Posted by YatPundit at 8:35 AM | TrackBack
February 5, 2006
Feature Photo: Canal Station, 1964
Streetcars in line at Canal Station in 1964.
This is a Wilbur T. Golson photo found on the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum's website. The PTM acquired Perley A. Thomas streetcar #832 in 1964, when the 800-series and many of the 900-series streetcars were scrapped. The photo is of Canal Station, looking from the corner of N. White and Bienville Streets. 832 is second from the right. This is the "back" of Canal Station, with the "front" facing Canal Street.
Posted by YatPundit at 8:40 PM | TrackBack
February 1, 2006
City Council Meeting, tomorrow (2-Feb)
Courtesy of the Broadmoor Improvement Association, the agenda for tomorrow's City Council meeting follows. Usually I wouldn't consider this "streetcar" news, but everything is important while re-building is happening. The agenda is below the fold.
City Council Meeting
Thursday, February 2, 2006
10:00 AM
City Council Chamber
City Hall
1300 Perdido St.
CONSENT AGENDA
_____________________________
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 5, 2006, January 6, 2006, January 9, 2006, January 17, 2006, &
January 19, 2006
_____________________________
ORDINANCES ON FINAL PASSAGE
CAL. NO. 25,922 – BY: COUNCILMEMBERS GILL PRATT AND CLARKSON (BY REQUEST) –
An Ordinance to adopt the Downtown Development District’s 2006 Plan to
provide additional capital and special services, facilities and/or
improvements for the Downtown Development District of the City of New
Orleans for the Year 2006; and to provide otherwise with respect thereto.
CAL. NO. 25,923 – BY: COUNCILMEMBERS WILLARD-LEWIS AND THOMAS (BY REQUEST)
–
An Ordinance to adopt the New Orleans Regional Business Park’s 2006 Plan, so
as to provide special services and Capital Improvements for the New Orleans
Regional Business Park (the “Park”) of the City of New Orleans for the Year
2006; and to provide otherwise with respect thereto.
CAL. NO. 25,924 – BY: COUNCILMEMBERS THOMAS, SAPIR, BATT, GILL PRATT,
CLARKSON, HEDGE-MORRELL AND WILLARD-LEWIS (BY REQUEST) – An Ordinance to
amend Ordinance No. 22,091 M.C.S., entitled “An Ordinance Providing an
Operating Budget of Revenues for the City of New Orleans for the Year 2006”
to adjust funding in various categories.
CAL. NO. 25,925 – BY: COUNCILMEMBERS THOMAS, SAPIR, BATT, GILL PRATT,
CLARKSON, HEDGE-MORRELL AND WILLARD-LEWIS (BY REQUEST) – An Ordinance to
amend Ordinance No. 22,092 M.C.S., entitled “An Ordinance Providing an
Operating Budget of Expenditures for the City New Orleans for the Year 2006”
to adjust funding in various departments.
CAL. NO. 25,945 - BY: COUNCILMEMBER GILL PRATT (BY REQUEST) - An Ordinance
to amend Ordinance No. 22,090 M.C.S., as amended, entitled “An Ordinance
Providing a Capital Budget for the Year 2006,” to effect the following
changes to the 2006 Capital Budget.
CAL. NO. 25,946 - BY: COUNCILMEMBERS GILL PRATT, WILLARD-LEWIS, CLARKSON,
THOMAS AND SAPIR - An Ordinance to amend Ordinance Number 22,092 M.C.S., as
amended, entitled “An Ordinance Providing an Operating Budget of
Expenditures for the City of New Orleans for the Year
2006” to place Community Development Block Grant funds in the Division of
Housing in reserve.
MOTION
(LYING OVER)
NO. M-06-2 – BY: COUNCILMEMBERS THOMAS, SAPIR, BATT, GILL PRATT, CLARKSON,
HEDGE-MORRELL AND WILLARD-LEWIS (BY REQUEST) – Approving the Operating
Budget of the Orleans Parish Communication District for the year 2006.
MOTION TO ADOPT CONSENT CALENDAR AND REFER OTHER MATTERS TO THE PROPER
AGENCY.
YEAS:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
AND THE CONSENT CALENDAR WAS ADOPTED.
_____________________________
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS
TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
REPRESENTATVES FROM FEMA, U.S. ARMY COPRS OF ENGINEERS, ENTERGY, SEWERAGE &
WATER BOARD, HANO AND BELLSOUTH – Updating the Council on the status,
services, and progress on restorations city wide.
_____________________________