Trains Newswire, October 2, 2014 (Here is the article for those who are not Trains subscribers.) NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Department of the Interior has named the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar Line as a National Historic Landmark. Operating since 1835, the St. Charles line is the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world. The operation is well known for its fleet of 35 arch-roofed, steel-bodied green Perley Thomas streetcars, which represent an evolution in the engineering of streetcar technology and have operated on the line since 1923. For the last decade, the St. Charles Avenue Association has been working to obtain the National Historic Landmark designation. In December 2013, association representatives made a presentation to the Landmarks Committee of the National Park Service in Washington. Following initial approval from the Landmarks Committee, the National Park Service Advisory Committee voted for approval in May 2014. This week U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell signed the National Historic Landmark recognition for the St. Charles line. The National Park Service on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior administers the National Historic Landmarks Program, established in 1935. The agency works with preservation officials, private property owners, and other partners interested in nominating properties for National Historic Landmark designation. Completed nominations are reviewed by the National Park System Advisory Board, which makes recommendations for designation to the Secretary of the Interior. If selected, property ownership remains the same but each site receives a designation letter, and is eligible for technical preservation advice. There are 2,544 National Historic Landmarks throughout the U.S., and 29 in New Orleans. The St. Charles Streetcar Line joins San Francisco cable cars as one of only two moving National Historic Landmarks. This summer, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority completed a $7 million capital improvement and modernization of the St. Charles Line.
Kind of surprising, in a way, that something like that is just now happening. I've seen some of the NOLA streetcars on some show before, playing jazz as they travel along. Neat stuff!
The New Orleans streetcar lines have a higher ridership from local commuters and shoppers than from tourists. On the other hand, we foamers can arrive in NO by train, and ride to the French Quarter hotels, clubs, bistros, and Riverfront, all by rail. Amtrak, streetcars, and shoe leather are all we need for transportation. Oh, horse drawn carriages are an acceptable alternative in the French Quarter while enjoying adult beverages...lol.
