Delaware Interurbans and Streetcar Railroads

(Please note that the photos featured here are not that of Delaware interurbans.)

Because of the state's very small size it probably comes as no surprise that Delaware interurbans were virtually nonexistent despite the fact that it was situated in a region rich with such systems. For instance, nearby states like Maryland, Pennsylvania (in particular), New Jersey, Virginia, and even West Virginia all featured extensive interurban and streetcar operations. From a technical standpoint Delaware hosted no true interurbans although it was a home to a few extensive streetcar systems. Much of the infrastructure the state did have in place was situated to north near Pennsylvania as Philadelphia had a quite sprawling network of interurbans and streetcars. Much of the reason why Delaware had so little infrastructure was merely due to the few number of towns and cities of any notable size.

The state's first true streetcar system of any kind dated all of the way back to the Civil War with the Wilmington City Railway, highlighted below. Much of Delaware's streetcar system was either in decline or gone before the major building period of the interurban industry, during the first decade of the 20th century. However, a few systems held out until nearly World War II before finally either abandoning outright or switching over to bus service. The information below includes short paragraph descriptions of most Delaware interurbans and streetcar railroads.

Wilmington & Elsmere Electric Railway Company: The Wilmington & Elsmere Electric Railway Company was completed in 1895 connecting Wilmington to Brandywine Springs Park. It lasted only until 1900 when it was taken over by the Peoples Railway Company.

Wilmington City Railway: The Wilmington City Railway was the city's first dating back to June 28, 1864. It remained a horse-powered operation until it switched to electric streetcars in 1888. The interurban would become the city's largest taking over several smaller companies. It lost its original identity when it merged with the Delaware Electric Power Company in 1936. Soon after in 1940 rail service ended switching to buses.

Wilmington & Philadelphia Traction Company: The W&PTC operated a system serving Wilmington, Chester, and even reaching Philadelphia by 1899. Overall it was the state's largest streetcar operation. It also controlled small streetcar systems serving Stanton, Delaware City, and New Castle. It remain in operation until around the mid-1930s when services were finally replaced by buses.

Jackson & Sharp Company: The Jackson & Sharp Company wasn't actually an interurban railroad but it did build streetcars in Wilmington, Delaware from 1863 until 1901 when it was purchased by railcar giant American Car and Foundry.

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

Please Click Here To Return To The Main Interurbans Section

Share Your Thoughts