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District of Columbia Interurbans and Streetcar Railroads

The information included here covers a general history of District of Columbia interurbans and streetcar railroads once operated throughout the state. Interurban systems were once a common form of transportation for many towns both large and small although they began to fall out of favor in the 1930s and 1940s for the common automobile as its technology and better highways became vastly improved and more reliable. While interurbans served a vital transportation purpose prior to reliable autos and highways from a historical perspective they are fascinating because of many small companies that popped up and also disappeared nearly overnight. During the peak of interurban operations in the country there were even several builders of motorcars including J. G. Brill & Company, St. Louis Car Company, Pullman-Standard, American Car Company, Standard Steel and the Jewett Car Company.

The information below includes short paragraph descriptions of most District of Columbia interurbans and streetcar railroads.

Anacostia & Potomac Railroad: The Anacostia & Potomac Railroad was incorporated in 1870 through an act of Congress and was the fourth such system to operate in the district upon its creation. The company switched from horse power to electric streetcars in 1900 and at the peak of its operation served Union Town (now Historic Anacostia), Arsenal (now Fort McNair), Congressional Cemetery, Central Market and to the Government Hospital for the Insane. The A&P's independence on August 31, 1912 when it was taken over by the Washington Railway & Electric Company.

Capital Traction Company: The Capital Traction Company was created in 1895 through the merger of the Rock Creek Railway and Washington & Georgetown Railroad. The interurban would become the second-largest in the district behind the Washington Railway & Electric Company. It operated until December 1, 1933 when, to survive the depression years, it merged with all of the remaining interurbans in the district (Washington Railway, Capital Traction and Washington Rapid Transit) to form the Capital Transit Company.

City & Suburban Railway: The City & Suburban Railway began operations in 1899 and its original route mostly followed the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad's Washington Branch. The system would become part of the Washington Railway & Electric Company.

Metropolitan Railroad: The Metropolitan Railroad was the district's second interurban ever built beginning operations in 1864 connecting the Capitol with the War Department. It switched from horse power to electric streetcars in 1888 and through merger (including the Boundary & Silver Spring Railway Company, Connecticut Avenue & Park Railway and Union Railroad) and expansion served virtually all quadrants of the city. It became part of the Washington Railway & Electric Company on February 4, 1902.

Washington & Georgetown Railway: The Washington & Georgetown Railway was the district's first beginning operations in 1862 connecting Georgetown and the Navy Yard. On September 21, 1895 it was taken over by the Rock Creek Railway creating a new company the Capital Traction Company.

Washington & Glen Echo Railroad: The Washington & Glen Echo Railroad connected Glen Echo, Maryland with the Tennallytown & Rockville Railroad in Friendship Heights. It began as the Glen Echo Railroad incorporated by brothers Edwin and Edward Baltzley in 1889 and began operations on June 10, 1891. It was renamed the Washington & Glen Echo Railroad when it expanded to serve Willard Avenue and Chevy Chase Circle, connecting there with the Rock Creek Railway. The railroad was shutdown in 1900.

Washington Railway & Electric Company: The Washington Railway & Electric Company would go on to be the districts largest single interurban company (prior to all of the mergers in the 1930s). In essence the WR&E's system was created through many mergers and takeovers by smaller companies, partly mandated by Congress to create some kind of unity in a system that was not only incompatible with one other (such as different track gauges) but also unwilling to work together. The WR&E itself was created on February 4, 1902 when the Washington & Great Falls Electric Railway changed its name to the Washington Railway & Electric Company. The WR&E would serve much of the district as well as Maryland suburban areas. It remained the dominant streetcar line until the "Great Merger" of 1933 creating the Capital Transit Company.

Washington Terminal: The Washington Terminal Company was more of a commuter rail system than a streetcar, interurban service. It was created in 1901 and jointly owned by the B&O and Philadelphia, Baltimore & Washington Railroad (a PRR subsidiary) to provide auxiliary service for railroad using Washington Union Station. It remained in operation through the private passenger train era and was taken over by Amtrak in 1981.

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

For more reading on District of Columbia interurbans consider picking up a copy of the book The Electric Interurban Railways in America by authors George Hilton and John Due. Many consider their book to be the quintessential resource guide to the interurban and streetcar movement that was once so common in our country during the first half of the 20th century. At nearly 500 pages the book is stuffed full of information on trolley operations and covers virtually every topic on the subject. If you have any interest in trolleys and interurbans and/or would like to learn more about their history I would strongly consider Mr. Hilton and Mr. Due's book first before purchasing any other. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit the link below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

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