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November 27, 2005
Feature Photo - CKD/Tatra Car in New Orleans
In the late-1990s, the plan to return streetcars to Canal Street was kicking into gear. The team at Carrollton Station was tasked with fabricating a series of LRVs in the style of the 900-series Perley A. Thomas cars. One of the possibilities they considered was to use the trucks and propulsion system of the PCC-style cars from CKD/Tatra of the Czech Republic. This photo is of the demo car that CKD sent over for Elmer Von Dullen's crew to evaluate, parked in the Carrollton barn. The car made a number of runs out of Carrollton Station, down St. Charles to Canal Street.
While it was only a few demo runs, the CKD car marked the first time a (sort-of) PCC streetcar ever ran on Canal Street. RTA acquired several PCC cars in the mid-1990s, when they were planning the 400-series Riverfront streetcars. They didn't go in that direction, however, choosing to use CKD trucks for the first update the Perley Thomas streetcars since the 1000-series was built. One of the PCCs was taken out for a couple of runs from the Carrollton barn to Lee Circle and back, but that was the extend of their use in New Orleans. The acquisition of the 800, 900, and 1000-series streetcars was
Even in their heyday, NOPSI never considered using PCC streetcars. The primary reason was the company's financial committment to the Perley Thomas cars. They were viewed as a 50-year investment when purchased, and by the 1950s, the company was pushing to discontinue the use of streetcars altogether. Additionally, most PCCs are single-ended, which meant that a number of modifications to the existing track system would have to be made to allow them to turn around. While researching the book I found a diagram of some of those changes that NOPSI included in a presentation to the City Council to convince them that the best course was discontinuing streetcar operations.
One of the things that that's happening in the aftermath of the storm is the thought streetcar fans are giving to possibilities for streetcars in New Orleans. Rest assured that there are folks from RTA that read this newsletter and our website, as well as monitor the various trolley/streetcar mailing lists out there. Keep the ideas and discussion coming!
Posted by YatPundit at November 27, 2005 09:14 PM
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