Fort Collins Municipal Railway 19th season *PIC*

Roger Mitchell · **Posted:** Tue Apr 29, 2003 2:26 pm

The Fort Collins Municipal Railway Society will begin it's 19th season of operation of Birney Car #21 on Saturday, May 3rd. Hours of operation are noon to 5:PM Saturdays, Sundays, and official city holidays through the end of September this year. Fare is still $1 for adults, .50 for children and .75 for anyone who admits to being over 65.
Roger Mitchell
Director and Master Mechanic

Fort Collins Municipal Railway home page

n0mcr@netzero.net

Bob Yarger · **Posted:** Tue Apr 29, 2003 8:27 pm

This is another miracle story. As a youth in the late-1950s, I used to see Colorado & Southern steam in Fort Collins, some years after the little trolley had been retired to rot in the park. Seeing it run again was about the last thing anyone thought of in those days. Today, traces of C&S steam in Fort Collins are long gone, but the little trolley is alive and well!

The Fort Collins I remember
ryarger@rypn.org

Ted Miles · **Posted:** Wed Apr 30, 2003 12:35 am

Meracle story is right! i recall reading about the problems that the Society had with a noisey and small group of NIMBY's who did not want any
street cars in their neighborhood.

Too bad that the other remaining cars are not back in Fort Collins. North Carolina is a sad place for a Fort Collins car.

By the way, Birney trucks are quite rare; maybe some day some of the traction museums can get together and make about 25 of them to go with existing bodies.

ted_miles@nps.gov

Erik Ledbetter · **Posted:** Wed Apr 30, 2003 7:46 am

I am a big big fan of this operation--it's a wonderful example of how to do top-quality preservation and interpretation while still living within one's means. I can't think of anyone who has done a better job of blending preservation values with a sustainable financial model. And it's a beautiful ride. :-)

I am really looking forward to taking my young son there on our next visit to Colorado.

eledbetter@rypn.org

Dick · **Posted:** Wed Apr 30, 2003 10:18 am

For those who haven't yet read Erik's editorial of July 25, 2001 on the FCMR, I would heartily recommend it! A very enjoyable read, with some nice photos of the beautifully-restored Birney!

And I would also add my endorsement for all to take a ride and enjoy the results of all the labors of love that made this part of Fort Collins' past come alive again.

Erik's editorial

Andy Nold · **Posted:** Wed Apr 30, 2003 3:26 pm

> By the way, Birney trucks are quite rare;
> maybe some day some of the traction museums
> can get together and make about 25 of them
> to go with existing bodies.

McKinney Avenue Transit in Dallas has been running some serious miles on its reproduction Birney truck for 14 years. Tampa has a similar design, but I don't know if they are running the historic car yet. For the next one, I'm going to try to get the proper journals cast to give it an authentic appearance.

tnold@northtexastransport.org

G.W. Laepple · **Posted:** Wed Apr 30, 2003 5:07 pm

> McKinney Avenue Transit in Dallas has been
> running some serious miles on its
> reproduction Birney truck for 14 years.
> Tampa has a similar design, but I don't know
> if they are running the historic car yet.
> For the next one, I'm going to try to get
> the proper journals cast to give it an
> authentic appearance.

I think Ted is referring to single-truck Birneys, of which there are many still around without trucks.

K4s1361@hotmail.com