Interview

• As part of the media coverage of the opening of the Green Line on June 14, 2014, MPR interviewed MSM member Bob Stevenson who operated streetcars on the Como-Harriet line in the early 1950s. To listen to the interview, click here

George Isaac’s Layout

• This article from the June 1969 issue of Model Railroader magazine describes George’s layout along with 10 images. Click here.

PCC Car No. 325

• Both MSM’s PCC No. 322 and PCC No. 325 were sold in 1953 to Newark, NJ. No. 325 operated in the Newark City Subway for 48 years before being retired and sold to the Rockhill Trolley Museum. To learn more about this streetcar, click here.

History

• A brief history of transit in the Twin Cities from the horse drawn era to TCRT’s purchase by MTC in the 1970s – click here
• Rapid Conversion Changes Twin City Transit Picture – This eight page article from the July 1954, Mass Transportation Magazine, describes in glowing terms the conversion of TCRT to an all bus system, a conversion that did, in fact, destroy one of the finest street railway systems in America.
  Warning – this is an 11 MB pdf file. Click here

From Streetcars to Light Rail

• 1943 TCRT ridership data (pdf). Hiawatha’s record setting August ridership is still much lower than Selby-Lake and University Avenue lines once carried – click here
• Investigation of existing streetcar tracks. A 2004 look at the feasibility of reusing the streetcar tracks under University Avenue for the Central Corridor light rail line. (It’s not a good idea) – click here