Louisiana Interurbans and Streetcar Railroads

In general the southern states were nearly devoid of true interurbans, although many hosted several local street railway systems which developed from horse and buggy operations that dated back to the mid-19th century. Most of the most well known and successful interurbans in the southern region were located in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. The most notable of these was the Piedmont & Northern Railway located in North Carolina. Interestingly, the P&N became one of the most successful systems ever built and today continues to operate as a shortline system. In any event, all Louisiana interurbans were constructed in the common fashion as eastern lines, which did not try to develop a serious freight business to sustain themselves after passenger traffic began to decline in the 1920s. Of course, at the time of construction, few could have imagined how quickly the industry would decline in just 20 years.

In any event, it is surprising to a greater degree that the state's interurbans did not look to develop more freight business, as did most line in the western states, given that they were built at a much later date (one did not begin operations until 1915) and all were constructed well after the final major building period that ended around 1907 (and the ensuing financial panic that year). Of course, another setback for the state's interurbans was that none were very large operating just a few miles of track, even with the important and large port city of New Orleans located along the Gulf Coast. In any event, the information below includes short paragraph descriptions of most Louisiana interurbans and streetcar railroads.

Orleans-Kenner Electric Railway: The Orleans-Kenner Electric Railway connected New Orleans (using a private right-of-way located on the north side of the city) and Kenner operating between 1914 and 1930 before service was discontinued in favor of buses. Before service was completely abandoned the system had come under the management of the New Orleans Public Service Company

Southwestern Traction & Power Company: The Southwestern Traction & Power Company was never a very profitable operation. It served New Iberia and Jeanerette operating a 12-mile system between 1912 and 1918 before falling into bankruptcy and service was abandoned. The line was not taken up for scrap, however, until the early 1920s.

St. Tammany & New Orleans Railway & Ferry Company: The St. Tammany & New Orleans Railway & Ferry Company was a very short-lived interurban railroad. It served Mandeville and Covington on a system covering some 14 miles. It was opened in 1909 as a standard railroad using gasoline-powered "Doodlebugs". However, in 1915 the service was upgraded to full electric power. From this point it operated until 1918 until the system was completely abandoned due to low traffic.

New Orleans City & Lake Railroad: The New Orleans City & Lake Railroad was created in 1883 from the New Orleans City Railroad. It operated until 1892 when it became part of the New Orleans Traction Company.

For a small gallery of photographs highlighting Louisiana interurbans and streetcar railroads please click here. Also, for more information regarding New Orleans interurban operations please click here.

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