You may be asking what this has to do with Veterans Affairs. Lots, if you know the history of transportation in America and its respect for veterans. One of the Old Pueblo Trolley cars, the “Belgian,” has medallions above several of the seats. They were placed there for World War l veterans, signifying they could ride for free if they sat in those seats.
As a trained Conductor for Old Pueblo Trolley, I used to invite tons of disabled veterans to come and ride with us on the weekends and I would just pay the tab. The camaraderie was tremendous and mingling with happy riders, including smiling children, was good for the vets. This will be nothing but nostalgia, like the Trolley itself, if they do not survive after the construction of the modern streetcar. Tucson has not been noted for its collective interest in preservation. Nor have the staff and volunteers had much recognition since its founding in 1983.
Few know that Old Pueblo Trolley has operated on an all volunteer crew, inclusive of maintenance and restoration, since its inception. God bless you all, you have brought many fond memories to thousands of Tucsonans. The hope of your loyal riders is that we will be able to create more of those memories on the rails of the future
PRESS RELEASE
OLD PUEBLO TROLLEY SUSPENSION OF OPERATION
Revised as of 9-27-11
HISTORIC TROLLEY SUSPENDS OPERATION DURING MODERN STREETCAR CONSTRUCTION
LAST RIDES DURING OCTOBER
FREE RIDES ON HALLOWEEN FOR THOSE IN COSTUME
After 18 ½ years of serving the community, Old Pueblo Trolley’s operation of historic streetcars will be suspended at the end of October until construction of the modern streetcar project is finished. Initial project work will provide an improved drainage system on 7th Street and 8th street necessitating removal of the track and overhead electric conductor in early November. This work is scheduled to be followed by replacement of the single existing track and overhead on 4th Avenue and University Blvd. with new double track and overhead electric supply system.
Therefore, the last opportunity for the public to ride the historic trolley will be during the five weekends of October. The schedule will remain the same as it has been – Friday evening from 6 p.m. to midnight., Saturday from noon to midnight, and Sunday afternoon from noon to 6 p.m. Regular fares of $1.50 one-way, $3.00 round trip will be charged. Also private charters for groups can be arranged during any week in October.
The month of last rides will be capped off with a special Halloween “last run” night on Monday, October 31, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Anyone in a Halloween costume will be given a free ride.
Old Pueblo Trolley looks forward to operating with the modern streetcar when it commences operation in 2013. In preparation, volunteers will continue restoration and maintenance work on the trolleys. Tours of the ongoing work at the trolley barn and of OPT’s historic bus restoration efforts can be arranged by appointment. The public may also visit the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum and Locomotive 1673 at the historic depot, 414 N. Toole Avenue, Sunday and Tuesday thru Thursday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, or to charter the trolley, check the website – www.oldpueblotrolley.org, or call Tom Gorman at (520) 326-0377.