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For almost sixty years, Phoenix had a street railway system. Now, with current proposals for Light Rail systems, it is instructive to look back at the history of streetcars in Phoenix. Keep in mind that modern Light Rail vehicles are further advanced from the trolleys of old, as today's automobiles are over Henry Ford's "Tin Lizzies." The streetcar shown below may be seen at the Arizona Street Railway Museum just west of the Central Library across Central Avenue in Phoenix. A few hundred feet of track under wire will allow it to be moved for short distances once electrical work is complete. Plans to run it within the Deck Park (over I-10) have apparently not been successful. |
 Map, drawn by Marc Pearsall for the Arizona Street Railway Museum |
Phoenix Street Railways Car # 116
Photo
courtesy Valley Connections
According to the sign:
"Phoenix Street Railway car #116 built by the American Car Company, St. Louis, Missouri, November 1928 for the City of Phoenix, cost $13,700. Entered service December 25, 1928.
"One of 18 cars purchased by the City of Phoenix in its renovation of the Street Railway system which operated from 1887 to 1948. These cars traveled 15,673,140 miles on the streets of Phoenix. Number 116, renumbered 508 in later years, was one of the last three to operate.
"Restoration by Arizona Street Railway Museum in cooperation with Arizona Historical Society and the generous help of El Zaribah Shrine Temple Guard."
Phoenix Streetcar #502 on Route 3 in April 1947
As in
Tucson, much of Phoenix's original streetcar trackage still exists under
today's pavement. In Tucson, the Old Pueblo
Trolley operates over track which was uncovered in recent years...
proposals to do the same in Phoenix have arisen occasionally in recent years
but have so far met with little success.
The City of Phoenix is also the owner of #4617, a PCC (Presidents' Conference Car) trolley purchased from Toronto. With a relatively small amount of work (to re-gauge the trucks to the standard 4'8.5") this car could also operate on light rail tracks. For now, however, it sits behind a fence as a display at the new Central Bus Station. (photo: Frank Hood)
This is how #4617
appeared in service in Toronto.
(The Old Pueblo Trolley purchased Toronto #4608.)