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Your editor always looks forward to participating in an ARM Conference, and this year’s Spring Conference in Tampa, Florida was no exception—in spite of the lengthy journey to get their from Vancouver. Hosted by our good friends at the Tampa & Ybor City Street Railway Society, we had a great opportunity to explore railway history and experience the working integration of a full time street railway and a street railway heritage society.
Air Canada was on time and the connection through Toronto worked well; I landed at Tampa International around dinner time. A taxi took me to Ybor City (I learned it to be the old city of Tampa, with a strong Cuban flavour (“Cigar City”). The Hampton Inn arrival
was interesting—a side entrance with security buzzer for access, but the hotel itself was new and nice. Right across the street (photo above) —the streetcar barn and headquarters of the Hillsboro Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) - who would host us for the next two days. As part of their
mandate, they operate the TECO Streetcar Line (Named for the predecessor Tampa Electric Company) that connects Ybor City with several area attractions and downtown.
The Tampa Electric Company operated the city’s streetcar system from the early 1900’s until a complete system shutdown in 1946. The system was known for its “nickel fare” and was the most extensive streetcar system in Florida. In 1984, the Tampa & Ybor City Street Railway Society was formed with the goals of preserving this streetcar heritage and eventually returning streetcars to the streets of Tampa. The Society has acquired four vintage streetcars, the first of which—single truck Birney car #163—has been restored to operational service.
The Society’s goals have been realized, as in 2001 the TECO line commenced operation as a part of HART, and historic car #163 (photo, page 25 car 163 at Conference Center station) now operates on the line for special occasions. The Society and HART work cooperatively in the operation.
ARM’s event started off on Friday, April 11 with a Board meeting and strategy workshop. We were hosted in HART’s boardroom for this session, a very nice and new facility on the top floor of the streetcar and office facility. Finishing off late afternoon, we joined the rest of the delegates aboard one of the fleet of ten new streetcars. These (like the new cars in New Orleans) are built in Iowa, look authentic as two truck streetcars, are air conditioned and
fully accessible. The fleet also has a “Breezer” car (open air) that is a lot of fun, and the restored Birney #163. Our opening reception was a charter ride on the line aboard the car, which was outfitted with small bars at each end of the car (photo, page 24). We enjoyed our rides along the line, and were able to disembark later at various locations for dinner. The line is mostly single track with passing sidings, and cars operate seven days a week, mostly on 15 minute frequency. An interesting feature is the live interlocking crossing of the CSX line into Tampa—one can see a streetcar waiting for Amtrak or freight to clear several times each day. The line starts in historic Ybor City downtown, and then links the Aquarium, the Channelside Cruise Ship terminals, the St. Pete Times Forum, several major hotels, and terminates at the Convention Centre. The line is around 2 miles in length and lots of fun.
Saturday, April 12 we started with some seminars, and the went riding on the historic Birney #163 around the line, (photo above, #163 at Convention Center) with guest operations of the car permitted and lots of fun aboard this wonderfully restored piece of history. We were treated like kings by the HART staff and had a most enjoyable morning.
After lunch (back at the car barn) we were given a nice historic tour of Tampa aboard one of HART’s rubber tired Trolleys (built by Gillig). We had a chance to see the original Tampa Electric Streetcar Barn (still standing) and trace some of the original routes—including out to Ballast Park, with a great view across the bay to the city. We also visited the amazing historic Plant Hotel, built by the Florida East Coast Railway.
Sunday, April 13 I took some time on my own for a walking tour of the city, a visit to Tampa Union Station (below) and other area highlights.
The day ended with a crash—as car #430 collided with a new VW Passat right in front of me as I came from lunch—fortunately no damage to the streetcar or any injuries, but a very embarrassed car driver who simply ignored the tracks, the whistle and everything else in her driving!
Monday, April 14—time to head home, this time on United via Denver (which also worked just fine), with nice memories of a new area visited, wonderful hospitality and some great photos to enjoy forever. Thanks to our hosts for a memorable ARM Spring Conference.
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