Seattle Streetcars

John T · **Joined:** Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:05 pm **Posts:** 1270

Three ex-Melbourne streetcars left Seattle this week bound for St. Louis. They are to be used on the 2.2 mile Delmar Loop.

Heavenrich · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 11:07 am **Posts:** 630

John T wrote:

Three ex-Melbourne streetcars left Seattle this week bound for St. Louis. They are to be used on the 2.2 mile Delmar Loop.

Via NRHS's Facebook page, there's some TV coverage of the move at

http://www.king5.com/news/local/farewel ... /226941592

Caveat, I have no idea how long this will be 'up'

Bob H

Dave · **Posted:** Sat Jun 04, 2016 3:08 pm

30 years too late for me to ride them to and from school.......

70000 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 05, 2016 12:47 am

Heavenrich wrote:

Via NRHS's Facebook page, there's some TV coverage of the move at

http://www.king5.com/news/local/farewel ... /226941592

Caveat, I have no idea how long this will be 'up'

Bob H

Thanks for posting that link, I managed a ride on a couple of them in Seattle back in 2002.

I believe that the Australian Government introduced an export ban on trams of this type some years ago, so it is unlikely any others will ever end up on heritage lines elsewhere in the world. I think the singer Elton John did manage to get one many years ago (and possibly a NYC subway car..) but I don't know what happened to it thereafter though.

Heavenrich · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 11:07 am **Posts:** 630

Here's a bit more (via the NRHS web page), this time from St.Louis

see

http://www.kmov.com/story/32185848/vint ... op-trolley

Bob H

DuesyJ29 · **Joined:** Sat Apr 21, 2012 7:52 pm **Posts:** 95

It's my understanding that there WAS a ban on the streetcars, trams, and parts out of Melbourne some years ago, but that the ban has been lifted. I know that the local streetcar company here in Dallas was able to purchase at least a few motors from a source in that area, and had been looking at a whole car or two. At least they were at one point.

MS

Alan Walker · **Posted:** Tue Jun 14, 2016 1:27 pm

More correctly, there are export restrictions to prevent too many cars of any given class from being exported. I believe that the minimum number of cars of each class that must be retained in country is 60 units.

Bobharbison · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm **Posts:** 3010

It seems to me that there are a good number of the Melbourne Trams in the US.

Maybe one of the members who enjoy making lists could compile a roster?

ted66 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 15, 2016 2:34 pm

i know we have one at the Western Railway Museum and just about any other traction museum i can think of except Seashore Trolley Museum has one.

i am glad to hear that they have a new home and it is not the memphis heritage line which is a major user of those trams.

ted66

John T · **Joined:** Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:05 pm **Posts:** 1270

An article in todays paper states that Seattle still has two of the Melbourne cars and there is a move afoot to modify them to run on the new 1st Avenue line. This would mean all new electrics for a start.

Dave · **Posted:** Sat Jul 16, 2016 7:38 pm

Who do I call to ask about acquiring the old electrics?

John T · **Joined:** Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:05 pm **Posts:** 1270

As far as I know the cars are owned by King County Metro.