The Von Dullen Cars
Based on the classic Perley A. Thomas design, the 2000-series RTA cars are now out in full force, running the entire length of the Canal line and its Carrollton spur. With revenue service scheduled to start in two weeks, the cars are operating an aggressive schedule of training runs. This is important because auto drivers on Canal need to be aware that they can’t win a contest with a moving streetcar. Fortunately, there haven’t been any accidents yet, but it’s just a matter of time.
This photo is of car 2015 in the shop at Carrollton Station. The Von Dullen cars will call the barn in the back of the Randolph SIS facility on Canal Street home, but Carrollton is still the primary shop. RTA still hasn’t figured out just what to call the 2000-series. Trolley fans initially called them “Carrollton” cars, but RTA didn’t like that, since they run on Canal. They don’t like “Canal” cars, since they’ll use this design on Desire when that line is built. We prefer naming them after their creator, Elmer Von Dullen, who is the supervisor at Carrollton Station. There’s precedent to this, like the Morris Cars which were built in the early 1900s at the original Canal Station.
Two more weeks!
