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Idaho Interurbans and Streetcar Railroads

(Please note that the photos featured do not depict Idaho interurbans.)

It may be surprising to know that there actually were a handful of Idaho interurbans for a state that was not only small but also home to very few towns and cities of any notable size. Overall, the state was home to about 133 miles of interurbans and four systems that served the state directly; the Boise Valley Traction Company (serving Idaho's largest city), Sandpoint & Interurban Railway, Lewiston-Clarkston Transit Company, and the Caldwell-Traction Company. Additionally, the state was served by the famed Spokane, Coeur d'Alene & Palouse that primarily served eastern Washington but also stretched across the border into western Idaho. Interestingly, all of the state's interurbans were built after the second major construction period of the industry, which occurred between 1905 and 1908, and was ended by the financial panic of 1907.

Instead, Idaho's first system did not open to the public until 1909. There was one important benefit of these lines being constructed at such a late date, it enabled them to plan ahead for possible freight service. This was an important asset of western lines, much more so than eastern lines for two reasons: first was as mentioned before, they typically foresaw the importance of potential freight service; second, western railroads were much more eager in working with the interurbans than their eastern counterparts who often saw them as nothing but pests that "stole" potential passenger traffic (despite the fact this short-haul traffic was usually the least profitable). In any event, the information below includes short paragraph descriptions of most Idaho interurbans and streetcar railroads.

Boise Interurban Railway: The Boise Interurban Railway was part of 35-mile system which served Boise and points to the west such as Caldwell, Nampa, Wilder and McNeil. The Boise Interurban Railway was the northern extension of this loop system connecting the towns along the Boise River (which it completed on August 8, 1907) while the Boise Valley Railway completed the southern section. Both systems became part of the Idaho Railway Light & Power Company in 1912 and in 1915 became known as Boise Valley Traction Company. It remained profitable through 1920 but after this time losses mounted and the system was abandoned 1928.

Sandpoint & Interurban Railway: The Sandpoint & Interurban Railway which began operation in 1909 and eventually built a 5-mile system connecting Sandpoint and Kootenai. It lasted only eight years and was abandoned in 1917.

Caldwell Traction Company: The Caldwell Traction Company began operation in 1913. It operated about 27 miles of track altogether serving points west of Caldwell including McNeil, Lake Lowell and Wilder (it also leased a branch of the Oregon Short Line from Union Pacific Railroad and electrified the route). The operation included both freight and passenger service but the railroad had a very hard time staying profitable resulting in the UP taking back its leased branch in 1920. After defaulting on its loans the operation was abandoned in 1924.

Boise Valley Traction Company: The BVT was the successor to the above mentioned Boise Interurban system. It primarily consisted of two lines radiating away from Boise on each side of the Boise River. Its northern line served Caldwell and a connection with the Caldwell Traction while the southern line served Meridian, Nampa and curved northward to also reach Caldwell. Its final construction occurred in 1912 when it rebuilt the Boise-Nampa line to eliminate severe curves.

In 1922 the company merged with the local power company to form the Idaho Railway Light & Power Company, which operated its interurban initially as the Idaho Traction Company but later changed this to the Boise Valley Traction Company in 1915. It saw its first deficits in 1924 and was abandoned by 1928. Interestingly, shortly after locals purchased about 32 miles of the remaining system to operate freight service. However, the Great Depression killed any profit potential and the entire line was scrapped by 1931.

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

Please Click Here To Return To The Main Interurbans Section

For more reading on Idaho 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 railroad 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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