Alabama Interurbans and Streetcar Railroads

(Please note that the below photos are simply random images of trolleys and interubans.)

The southern states never did develop an extensive interurban network, particularly in the deep south. For instance, Alabama interurbans especially were nearly non-existent (i.e., systems that serve more than one population center), at least in what can be classed a true interurban system. However, the state did have a few streetcar systems (or lines that serve only one town/city), which are listed below. It is rather surprising that interurbans did not develop with more vigor in the south. The region had numerous population centers, many of which were close together but for one reason or another the companies simply did not develop like they did in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and western states. With cities like Miami, Atlanta, Birmingham, New Orleans, Norfolk, etc. there was certainly potential. The earliest history of Alabama's streetcars date back to the late 19th century, as mentioned below. The companies remained in operation until 1952 when the last was finally replaced by bus operations.

The only states that saw true interurban development, which can be classed as in the south include Maryland and Virginia. Additionally, North Carolina was home to one of the most successful systems ever developed, the Piedmont & Northern located in the Raleigh area. The P&N was so successful due to the rich freight business it created, something uncommon for most interubans. This railroad is once again in operation today, thanks to state assistance in refurbishing part of the original right-of-way for freight use. The information below includes short paragraph descriptions of Alabama's streetcar systems.

Alabama Power Company: Today the Alabama Power Company is a electricity provider to over one million customers but back during the early 20th century it also owned a number of streetcar railroad operations including in the cities of Anniston, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa. Most of its operations were out of business and shutdown by the 1920s.

Mobile Light & Railroad Company: The Mobile Light & Railroad Company began operations in 1893 serving Mobile. It operated until 1939 at which point it had grown to a nearly 50 mile system. The interurban was shutdown that year when its president died, J. Howard Wilson and it was acquired by the National City Lines, which converted all operations to bus-only operations.

Capital City Electrical Railway, "The Lightning Route": The Capital City Electrical Railway, also known as the Lightning Route, began operations on April 15, 1886 serving Montgomery and was one of the first to recognize that dense commercial and residential areas within a city should be separated. It operated for exactly 50 years before the service was replaced by buses. Today, Montgomery is attempting to rebuild a small interurban operation.

For a small gallery of photographs highlighting Alabama interurbans and streetcar railroads please click here.

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