Physical Artifacts of the Old Baltimore Streetcar System

Listing of Streetcar System Relics in Existence: V.1.0: Issued August 31, 1999

Notes:

Routes are listed under the number they were assigned when they were abandoned. As such #4 relics are listed under #15, #31 under #19, etc.

Visible Trackage refers to rail that is poking out under the pavement, or a very raised ridge in the surface of the street. Largely exposed rail will be marked "prominent." Although this is often subject to change, every effort will be made to keep this information current.

Existing trackage refers to rails that were never covered. Very few examples exist (only on #3, #6, #26 and #32) to the author's knowledge.

Span Wire Support Poles are poles that once served to support the network of overhead that powered the streetcar system. Most of these remaining poles are in use are used to support traffic signals. Others are used to support other utility poles by use of support wire. A few serve as elaborate mounts for "NO STOPPING" signs, while a few others simply stand there looking for something to do. Poles that are NOT used for traffic lights are colored red. Questionable poles will be italicized. Span wire poles are usually (although not always) identified by green paint, a round base directly cemented into the ground, and a ball or acorn shaped decor on the top (often missing). Due to their age, their condition varies considerably.

Structures include car houses, waiting shelters, terminals and substations along a line.

PRW usage denotes the use of streetcar rights of way, either as intact or in use for other purposes.

A general "Miscellaneous" section is included at the end. Be sure to check it out. Some lines have miscellaneous relics also.

Route 1/11 - Fulton Avenue - Elevated (Disc. 1947-1948){ETB to 1959}:

Visible Trackage: St. Paul & 27th Sts., Curves from 25th St. into St. Paul St, Gilmore Street at Edmondson Avenue, Fulton Avenue near Presstman Street.

Span Wire Support Poles: Bedford Square & Charles(3), St. Paul & University(2), St. Paul & 31st(2), North & Guilford, Fulton & Laurens, Fulton & Baker, Fulton & Clifton, Fulton @ Park Terminal, McCulloh at Park Terminal(2)

Structures: Oak Street Car House, Park Terminal, Bedford Square Waiting Station

PRW Usage: Outer St. Paul Street PRW is used for "median" between sidewalk and street, although one block on the East, near 39th Street, is used for a service drive.

Route 2 - Carey Street - Fort McHenry (Disc. 1948){ETB to 1959}:

Visible Trackage: Curves from Carrollton into Fayette, Fort near Light, Fort & Charles.

Span Wire Support Poles: Fort & Jackson(3), Riverside(2), Light(2), Charles 4), Charles & Ostend(2), Montgomery(3), Carey & Edmondson(2), Lafayette

Structures: Park Terminal

PRW Usage: Site of current MTA #1 loop is on the site of original rail loop.

Route 3 - Linden Avenue - Wilkens Avenue (disc. 1937):

Existing Trackage: Linden Avenue below Laurens Street

Span Wire Support Poles:

Structures: Park Terminal

PRW Usage: About 75 feet to the East of Leeds Avenue above Linden Avenue for a distance of about 2 blocks - grade intact. Other segment of this right-of-way is now occupied by Southwestern Boulevard.

Route 4 : See Route 15

Route 5 (and 33) - Pimlico(Emory Grove) and West Arlington - Patterson Park (disc. 1948):

Visible Trackage: Patterson Park near Baltimore

Span Wire Support Poles:

PRW Usage: Manhattan Loop now open space, grades undetectable.

Route 6 - Curtis Bay - Monument Street (disc. 1948):

Existing Trackage: Fairfield Road north of Chesapeake Avenue

Visible Trackage: Rail curves at Chesapeake & Sun, much rail visible along the entire length of Curtis Avenue, Light & Barney Streets, Light & Fort Avenue.

Span Wire Support Poles: Patapsco & 9th, Patapsco & 4th(2), Hanover & Wells, Hanover & Heath, Light & Fort(2)

PRW Usage: Most of PRW between Shell Road and Chesapeake Avenue intact, although heavily overgrown.

Route 7 : See Route 8

Route 8 - Towson - Catonsville (disc. 1963):

Visible Trackage: Frederick near Loudon, Frederick near Catherine (very prominent), crossover at Frederick & Pratt

Span Wire Support Poles: Frederick & Beechwood, Frederick & Forest, Frederick & Bishops, Frederick & Dunmore (painted red), Paradise Loop(2), Frederick & Atholwood, Frederick & Beechfield, Frederick & Augusta, Frederick & Franklintown(2), Gilmor & Baltimore(3), Fayette & Gilmor(2), Fayette & Carey, Fayette & Greene, Fayette & Eutaw(3)

PRW Usage: Catonsville "Cut-Off" now used for walking trail, Catonsville Jct. Loop now loop unused by MTA buses. Paradise Loop used by MTA buses, Irvington Loop and storage tracks now public clearing used for Farmer's Markets, Govanstown Loop now used by restaurant.

Route 9 - Ellicott City (disc. 1955 - see also #14):

Visible Trackage: Curves from Main Street into bridge R/O/W

Span Wire Support Poles:

PRW Usage: Grade of car line from Oella to Chalfonte Drive is used as walking trail. Grade of car line from Chalfonte to Rolling Road is Edmondson Avenue. For sections further East, see #14 listing

Route 10 - Roland Park - Highlandtown (disc 1940 - see also #20){ETB until 1959}:

Visible Trackage:

Span Wire Support Poles: Eastern & Haven(3+1), Grundy(3), Eaton(4, 3 are bolted), Clinton(2), also between Haven Street and Clinton Avenue, 39 span wire poles survive in use as street lights, having globe lights attached to the sidewalk side, 2 of these poles near Conkling have bolted bottoms, East Ave., Linwood(2), Broadway & Bank(2), Broadway & Gough(1+1), Pratt & High,

PRW Usage:

Route 11 - See Route 1

Route 12 - See Route 17

Route 13 - North Avenue Crosstown (disc. 1954):

Visible Trackage:

Span Wire Support Poles: North & Ellamont (3), North & Guilford, North & Aisquith (odd cap),North & Harford, North & Broadway, North & Gay, Washington & Hoffman

PRW Usage: Milton Avenue Loop grade still visible.

Route 14 - Rolling Road (disc. 1954):

Visible Trackage: Curves from Monroe into Saratoga, Saratoga near Liberty

Span Wire Support Poles:

PRW Usage:

Route 15 - Belair Road - Edmondson Avenue (disc. 1963):

Visible Trackage: Gay Street near Wolfe, Gay & Orleans, Edmondson & Carey, Edmondson & Gilmore, Edmondson & Franklintown, Poplar Grove & Riggs, Clifton Road & Queen Anne, Windsor Hills Loop (very prominent)

Span Wire Support Poles: Overlea Loop (2), Belair & Fleetwood (2), Belair & Kenwood, Belair & Frankford, Belair & Woodlea, Belair & Brendan, Belair & Lake (2), Belair & Erdman (2), Belair & Ravenwood (type matches, but pole is set far from curb),Belair & Sinclair (1+1), Belair & Rose, Belair & North (1+1), Gay & Lafayette (2), Gay & Lanvale (2), Gay & Federal, Gay & Oliver(2), Gay & Preston (1+1), Gay & Fallsway, Saratoga & Fremont (3), Edmondson & Carey, Edmondson & Gilmor, Edmondson & Fulton, Edmondson & Kirby, Edmondson & Monroe, Edmondson & Pulaski, Edmondson & Bentalou (1+1), Edmondson adjacent to barn (2+2), Poplar Grove & Winchester (2), Bloomingdale & Grayson (2), North & Ellamont (3), Clifton Road above Mondawmin Ave.

Structures: North & Gay Carhouse (partial), Edmondson Carhouse

PRW Usage: Overlea Loop in use for MTA buses, Gardenville Loop in use for MTA buses, Yard site used for Park & Ride, Ashland Avenue PRW used for utility equipment, Walbrook Junction Loop converted to "Oval Drive," Windsor Hills Loop no longer used for MTA buses.

*BALTIMORE STREET BRANCH (DISC. 1948)*:

Visible Trackage: Baltimore & Schroeder, Baltimore & Fulton.

Span Wire Support Poles: Baltimore & Fremont, Carrolton(4), Carey(3), Gilmore(3), Fulton, Pulaski, Catherine

Structures: Baltimore & Smallwood Carhouse

PRW Usage: Site of West Baltimore Street Loop still exists, not built upon. (Rail from loop in use at 28th Street at Baltimore Streetcar Museum) .

More to Come! Give me Time!