Do Something

There are times I truly regret the health problems and responsibilities that preclude my visiting Seattle, and what I’m about to say next makes this one of those times. If somebody doesn’t do something, those Waterfront Streetcars are likely to end up out in Snoqualmie.

In previous posts I’ve reviewed the facts that the historical streetcars are high-platform cars and apparently have limited braking capabilities, meaning they are safest on level track.

If there were a group of trolley enthusiasts working to set up a historical line on level land near a shore, there are places that might be done. If a group was pressuring the City of Seattle to restore high-platform service on the central waterfront, and even extend service to Pier 91 or to the south side of the Ship Canal, that could be done. If more cars were needed, it is possible to buy heritage cars that are made new in the old style.

If a group does not exist to pressure the City, the historical cars are as good as gone. If there is a constituency in the City for a waterfront streetcar, building an extended route with modern low-platform cars will almost certainly seem like the way to go.

Ideally, arts and historical groups would support the historical trolley as a stabilizing reminder of our history- a factor that should really be the subject of another post.

This blog is meant to serve as a standard bearer- not the standard bearer- for the waterfront streetcar. One thing that would be helpful now would be if someone who actually is in Seattle could go to the cars and follow leads to the people who ran the cars, maintained them, and were otherwise involved in starting the service or keeping it going. If that involves a trip to Snoqualmie, there may be a lesson somewhere in there.