Presbyterian College > Academic Web Server > Jon Bell > Transit > (Cities | Types) > Dallas > M-Line

Dallas, Texas: M-Line
(McKinney Avenue Streetcar)

Description

In 1989, the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority, a non-profit volunteer organization, began a heritage streetcar service using original streetcar tracks on McKinney Avenue that had been uncovered from layers of pavement. When the DART light rail system opened, plans were made to extend the line on both ends to connect to light rail stations. In June 2002, the northern extension to the Cityplace station opened, bringing the line to 3.6 miles in length. At about that time, DART incorporated the line into its bus and light rail system, and eliminated fares on the line.

Pictures

These pictures were taken on 23 June 2002. Service was being provided by car #636, Petunia, a single-truck Birney car that ran in Dallas until 1947.

[picture] Petunia arrives at the southern end of the line on St. Paul St. near Ross Ave., next to the art museum.

[picture] Inside Petunia, the motorman starts a northbound trip. Shorts are a good idea in an un-airconditioned car on a hot summer day!

[picture] At the north end of the line, a single-track spur leads from McKinney Ave. to DART's Cityplace light rail station. The station is underground, so all you can see is the entrance building. A turntable will be built here so that single-ended cars can turn around.

Although cars had been running on the Cityplace extension for a few weeks already, the official grand opening took place four days after my visit.

[picture] In the meantime, only double-ended cars like Petunia can use the Cityplace spur. Here, the motorman lowers one trolley pole after raising the other one for departure.

[picture] Petunia sets off down the Cityplace spur towards McKinney Avenue.

This page was last updated on 8 February 2003, and reviewed on 14 May 2005.

Presbyterian College > Academic Web Server > Jon Bell > Transit > (Cities | Types) > Dallas > M-Line

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