National Capital Trolley Museum - Frequently Asked Questions

The term “trolley” refers to an electric vehicle that operates over fixed rails usually imbedded in pavement. The trolley itself is a small device, usually a wheel or slider, which touches the overhead wire to carry the flow of electricity from the wire to the electric motors. It’s this device that gives the vehicle its name. A streetcar is another term which can be used interchangeably to describe the same vehicle; in some countries, the word "tram" is used instead.

In Washington D.C., the term used was two words: "street car". "Streetcar" is the term preferred by dictionaries and most transit systems.

Is a streetcar the same as light rail?

While streetcars and light rail share basic operating principles, the term light rail is used to describe a rail system that operates both on the street and on private right-of-way. Light rail systems tend to travel greater distances, often operating between different communities while streetcars operate exclusively on city streets and serve different neighborhoods within one city.

How is a streetcar different from the Old Town Trolley?

The Old Town Trolley is a propane-powered bus with a trolleycar-like body. Unlike streetcars, it does not operate on rails or use overhead wires to receive its power.

What cities are using streetcars or light rail transit?

To date, there are more than forty cities across North America that use some form of light rail or streetcar transit. Some cities such as Toronto, Philadelphia and New Orleans have maintained parts of their original system and operate a mix of new and historic equipment. Other cities like Portland, Oregon, San Diego and St. Louis have constructed new light rail systems.

How is a streetcar different from a city bus?

Even though streetcars can travel just about anywhere they are limited by the rails on which they operate and the overhead wires. In situations where streetcar lines are affected by traffic slow downs, the streetcar cannot go around the object which can cause delays. Since gasoline-powered buses use neither rails nor wires, they can maneuver through and around traffic easier than streetcars. Streetcars also rely on electricity for their power and do not cause pollution unlike gasoline buses which produce exhaust fumes.

How did Washington’s street cars collect the electrical power to operate?

Washington street cars collected their power through the use of a plow attached to the truck of the car. The plow extended below street level to make contact with two conductor rails that carried and returned the electrical current.

In the city of Washington, cars were required to use this method of power collection because Congress had mandated that there be no overhead wires within the city as it was laid out at that time (smaller than it is currently). Once the street cars reached that boundary, they switched from the underground plow to the trolley pole on top of the car to make contact with the overhead wire. Then they could continue their trip into the suburbs.

Do streetcars run on gasoline?

Some streetcars are powered by gasoline but the majority use electricity to power their motors. Typically the electricity is carried to the cars by an overhead wire that carries the electrical current. The cars also utilize a trolley pole or pantograph to carry the power from the overhead wire to the motors.

How fast can streetcars travel?

Streetcars usually travel within the speed limit of the city in which they operate. In Washington, the speed limit was 25 mph. Even though the cars traveled no faster than the speed limit, they were capable of speeds in excess of 45 mph.

What’s the difference between a motorman and an operator?

A motorman is responsible for the operation of the streetcar only. This is usually the case on cars that require both a motorman and a conductor. The conductor is responsible for collecting fares and taking care of the passengers. The title of operator is used on cars that can be run with one person. In the case, he or she is responsible for operating the car, collecting fares and taking care of the passengers.

Why don’t streetcars have steering wheels?

Streetcars are guided by the rails and essentially go wherever the rails go. Instead of an operator or motorman steering the car, they control the amount of electricity that travels to the motors.

What’s the difference between a streetcar and a cable car?

A streetcar’s speed is regulated through the use of a controller the operator uses to regulate the amount of electricity going to the motors. The more electricity that goes the motors, the faster the streetcar goes. Cable cars use a "grip" that grabs on to a moving cable located beneath the street. Cable cars are then pulled by the cable at a fixed rate of speed, usually between 9 – 12 mph.

One advantage of a cable car is that it can go up and down very steep hills because it does not rely on the traction of the wheels to move the car forward. A streetcar works best on level ground and hills that are less than 7 percent grade (a rise of 7 feet over a distance of 100 feet).

How do streetcars operate in rain or snow?

Streetcars were designed to function in both good weather and bad. In conditions where the weather causes wet rails, cars are equipped with a sanding device that drops sand on the rails to improve traction to prevent streetcar wheels from spinning. In snow, special sweeper streetcars are equipped with rotating brooms to clear snow from the tracks.

Are your cars heated?

Yes. All of our cars that are in service are capable of producing heat; however, none of our cars are air-conditioned.

Why do streetcars make a “squealing” sound when they go around curves?

The wheel sets underneath a streetcar are called trucks. On shorter cars there is usually one truck that is fixed to the car body and incapable of swiveling. On longer cars, there are usually two trucks that are capable on swiveling on curves. In both cases the actual wheels are fixed to axles which rub against the inside of the rail causing the squealing. To eliminate the noise a rail grinder can be used to smooth rails or grease or graphite can be placed on the inside of the rails reduce the noise.

When did street cars last operate in Washington, DC?

The last day of street car service was January 28, 1962. One of the street cars that ran that day is at the National Capital Trolley Museum.

Are there plans to bring streetcars back to Washington?

Yes. Currently there are plans to build a demonstration line in Southeast DC using new, low-floor, articulated streetcars. This line would run from the Anacostia Metro Station to Bolling Air Force Base.

October 22, 2007

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) ABOUT STREETCARS

What is difference between a streetcar and a trolley?