According to the Charleston Post & Courier, two landmark but neglected Charleston, South Carolina trolley cars that had been attacked by vandals and the elements are getting a new life in Charlotte, North Carolina. The owners of the cars, former Magnolia Development, have given the pair to a group in the Queen City which plans to restore them for possible active use or historical display. Sad that we couldn't do something with them here in Charleston. http://www.charlestonrail.org/charleston-trolley-cars-going-to-charlotte/
Sad, indeed. I thought Charleston was a place where there was some interest in historic preservation?
There is a lot - among certain people for certain things. Most of those being historic homes. When it comes to historic preservation of structures or "vehicles" and such, not so much. This is seen by the lack of attention to the beautiful old trolley barn. And most anything related to shipping and merchant traffic also. Here is an older picture and article of the trolley barn. The plans haven't materialized and it is getting more neglected by the day. http://charleston.thedigitel.com/business/charleston-lease-old-trolley-barn-arts-school-5167-0725
It may be bittersweet but the trolley cars should be in good hands in Charlotte. Charlotte Trolley, Inc. is a non profit with a good restoration track record. Here's a little background. They found the last remaining original Charlotte Trolley car, car #85, converted into a guest house in Huntersville. They restored the car to operation and started using it on an out of service Norfolk Southern line in Charlotte's Southend neighborhood. In 2003, the operation was extended into Center city. The trolley line generated nearly $80 million in economic development along the line. The success of the trolley contributed greatly to the development of Charlotte's first light rail line, the LYNX Blue Line which replaced the trolley service in 2007. Car #85 is still used on special occasions but does not meet FRA crash standards so it only sees service once a year. Now the organization has been trying to set up a new operation on the old Piedmont and Northern Line from near BofA stadium. Wells Fargo has donated $15,000 for the project and there has been some rumored interest by developers. The Charleston cars will probably be used for this new heritage line if it ever moves forward, so there is a good chance these cars will ride the rails again. I'll keep an eye on there status going forward. Alex
