The National Capital Trolley Museum in Colesville, MD, is a museum dedicated to preserving the history of trolleys in Washington, D.C. The museum posses multiple streetcars that it runs on its one-mile rail line. Currently, no Washington streetcars actively operate, although PCC car 1101 operates on special occasions. In addition, the museum also owns many other cars from around the nation and the world, including two sisters cars from Toronto, and an open "boat" streetcar from Blackpool, England.
.jpg){kind=avatar}
The Bethesda Trolley Trail is a trail that stretches 5.9 miles from Downtown Bethesda to North Bethesda. The trail is built off the former right of a way of the Tennallytown and Rockville Railroad, a streetcar line that went from current day Tenleytown to Rockville. The trail connects Rockville to Bethesda by two key bridges, one over I-495, and over I-270, making it possible for cyclists and pedestrians to get from Bethesda to Rockville.
Dupont Underground is a former underground streetcar station that has now been converted into an art installation. The tunnels and station were constructed over 2 years, opening in 1949. The tunnels operated for 11 years before being shut down due to the city-wide conversion from streetcars to buses. Since then, the venue has served multiple unsuccessful businesses, although it appears the most recent art installation appears to fare better than its predescors.
Part of the vast exhibits at the National Museum of American History includes an exhibition called American on the Move. The exhibit stretches many rooms and covers many different topics, including one titled "A Streetcar City" which details the history of streetcars in Washington, D.C., and explains its significance as a role model of national trends. The exhibition contains Capital Traction streetcar No. 303.
.jpg){kind=avatar}
The streetcar barn at M and 8th Street SE, north of the Navy Yard, served as the car barn for streetcars for the Washington and Georgetown, Capital Traction, Capital Transit, and DC Transit companies. It was designed and built in 1891 and expanded in 1909. The older, two-story section of the barn resembles a medieval castle and is sometimes called the Blue Castle, in reference to its blue paint. The structure is important due to its long time relationship with the history of the Washington, D.C. streetcar system, and being the last extant building in a series of four constructed by the Washington and Georgetown in 1891 to convert to cable operations. Currently, the building is home to a venue called the Capital Turnaround, used for hosting events.
Designed by the prominent early 20th Century architect, Waddy Butler Wood, the East Capitol Street Car Barn serves as a notable example of the Romanesque Revival style. The building was constructed in 1896 to serve as a car barn, repair shop, and as administrative offices for the employees of the Metropolitan Railroad Company. This historic site is a reminder of the rapid development of Washington, D.C.'s transit system. After the DC Transit Company was acquired by METRO in 1973, the structure was re-purposed into privately-owned condominiums.
This Tour is a Digital Story Map.
Get a QR Code for this tour
This heritage trail begins at the National Capital Trolley Museum and the Bethesda Trolley Trail and includes will a number of other prominent landmarks related to the history of streetcars in Washington, D.C.
