TECO Line Streetcar System

The TECO Line Streetcar System is a predominantly tourist tram in Tampa and the only tram service in the U.S. state of Florida. But it also plays a role as transport public transport.

Prehistory

Electric trams existed in Tampa since the end of the 19th century. The first lines were built in 1892, in 1926 reached the transport numbers with nearly 24 million passengers peaked. Were used individually transport vehicles of the type Birney Safety Car and laterally open Breezer summer railcars. On the night of 3 to August 4, 1946, the trams were shut down.

History

On 19 October 2002, the current tram line was opened. Is operated by the City of Tampa belonging Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART), it is managed by the Tampa Historic Streetcar, Inc.

The only extension of the route took place in 2010. Till then 3.86 km long route was from the Downtown endpoint Dick Greco Plaza (until 2008 Southern Transportation Plaza) extended by 0.54 miles to Whiting Station. The opening took place on December 19, 2010.

Route

The route is identical to the single trains running on their line. It connects the city center ( Downtown) and the east of this location, residential and entertainment district Channel District with the working-class district, Ybor City. Endpoints are the stations Whiting station in the southwest and Centennial Park in the northeast, there are single-track Stumpfendstellen.

The route is single track, with Dodge at several stations and a double-track island along the road Channelside Drive. The depot is located near the station Cadrecha Plaza in Ybor City, his run-up is crossed by the main track. To the south of the depot crosses the line at the same level a railroad track.

Rolling stock

The property has nine replicas of the vehicle type Birney Safety Car, which are slightly larger than the existing original vehicle No. 163 The numbering starts with 428 and thus connects to the numbers of the predecessor operation. There are disabled rooms, air-conditioned bi-directional vehicles with a capacity of 44 seated and 30 standing passengers. In addition, a replica of a Breezer summer railcars with 78 seats and 10 standing places exist. All replicas are from the Gomaco Trolley Company.

Cart 163 is a restored original railcar of the Tampa & Ybor City Street Railway Society, the already perverted in Tampa 1923-1946. He belongs to the biaxial Birney Safety Cars of the first type, is smaller than the replicas and the only one capable driving original tram vehicle in Florida. The four-axle car 402 is in processing, this also previously spilled in Tampa vehicle is the only remaining ( out of five) of the longest construction.

Technology

The supply of vehicles with direct current of 600 volts via a catenary. Unlike usual nowadays, the current - historicizing - taken on rod current collector from the contact line. The railcar having for each direction of travel, a current bar, which is used for the current sampling, respectively rear, the front one is subtracted from the contact wire. At the final stops the power rods must be withdrawn or applied for the change of direction.

View

Currently the web is setting threatened. To finance the city of Tampa had established a fund which should secure the operation by the year 2025. However, the means have been exhausted as early as 2014. In addition, the passenger numbers fell from 2003 to 2012 by almost 35 percent.

In the event of cessation of the city would have to repay about $ 31 million in public funds obtained in the State of Florida.

Gallery

Breezer Summer Shoot venture in the Channel District

Birney Safety Car ( replica ) in Ybor City

Birney Safety Car ( replica ) passes the depot in Ybor City

In the depot: modern vehicles and (right) the historic railcar 163

Passenger compartment of a new vehicle