Until 1951, Fort Collins, Colorado was known to trolley enthusiasts as the last small city operation in America to use only traditional two-axle Birney Safety Cars. The mostly single track routes through the attactive small city crossed in the main square downtown with trolleys from each branch frequently arriving at the same time. After service ended in 1951, car 21 was placed on display in City Park until it was restored and put back into operation by the volunteer Fort Collins Municipal Railway Society in the mid-1980s. The volunteers rebuilt the line and operate the car on weekends in the summer and fall.
The photos below show the Fort Collins heritage trolley operation in September, 2008:
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| Fort Collins Birney 21 turns from West Mountain Avenue onto the short branch leading to City Park. |
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| The City Park terminus includes a small structure now used as a museum store for the nonproft group. |
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| Car 21 at the terminus closest to downtown. A possible extension would include a turn to the left through the intersection behind the car. |
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| A typical view along the grassed trackway in the attractive neighborhood served by the line. Abutters who fought reinstatement have mostly turned to supporters. |
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| At the midpoint of the line is an original but never used passing siding. |
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| The original Fort Collins streetcar barn still stands and may be reconnected to the line. |
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| Inside the barn is former Fort Collins Birney No. 25, recently purchased from Charlotte for $199,000. Volunteers are planning to complete its restoration and return to service. |
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News Notes
The following news notes from
Rail Transit Online give an overview of developments in Fort Collins:
The following article from The New Electric Railway Journal includes a
brief description and photo of the Fort Collins heritage line:
Click below for the system's descriptive site:
For more on the Fort Collins heritage line click on:
