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Montana Interurbans and Streetcar Railroads

(Please note that the below photos do not depict Montana interurbans or streetcars.)

As you might expect, Montana interurbans were quite rare although the state was home to a few street railway systems. There was one, "semi-interurban" in Montana called the Bozeman Street Railway. This little line began life as a standard street railway until it was purchased by a local businessman who intended to extend the service to nearby Bozeman Hot Springs. It opened to the public on October 31, 1909 and was about 16 miles in length. These types of operations were actually much more common with standard streetcar or suburban systems. To attract ridership in small populated areas a line would often times construct an amusement park or offer service to a natural wonder, like a hot spring. It worked quite well for a few decades, until the public could purchase their own vehicles, which of course did away with the need for rail service.

In the case of the Bozeman Street Railway, the new owners hoped to establish freight service via a connection with the Northern Pacific Railway. This idea, however, fell through when it was soon purchased by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, the "Milwaukee Road". The CMStP&P had just completed its western main line and was looking to gain branch lines as feeders to its through route and the Bozeman Street Railway became one of these new branches. Interestingly, the Milwaukee Road continued to use the interurban's original interurban cars and electrified operations until 1930 when it finally converted this over to traditional steam power.

Of note, the Butte, Anaconda & Pacific was another famed electrified operation in Montana. However, technically the BA&P was a standard freight railroad built with heavy equipment and primarily only serving in that capacity. Today, it remains in operation. In any event, the information below includes short paragraph descriptions of Montana's few streetcar systems, all of which were gone by World War II or before.

Anaconda Street Railway: The Anaconda Street Railway served the City of Anaconda until the early 1940s. The interurban railroad is survived today by two of its carbarns which still stand in the city.

Billings Traction Company: The Billings Traction Company served the City of Billings. The operation was shortlived beginning in 1906 and abandoning railroad operations around 1917.

Butte Electric Railway: The Butte Electric Railway began operations in 1899 taking over property originally built by the Butte City Street Railroad in 1886. It continued operating streetcars until the service was discontinued in 1937 and sold to National City Lines, which began operating buses.

Great Falls Street Railway: As its name implies the Great Falls Street Railway served the City of Great Falls operating streetcars from 1890 until it was sold to the Montana Power Company in 1931. In 1938 the railroad was sold to National City Lines, which discontinued streetcar service in favor of buses.

Missoula Street Railway: The Missoula Street Railway was incorporated in 1912 serving the City of Missoula. It operated streetcars until the 1930s when the railroad was replaced by buses.

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

Please Click Here To Return To The Main Interurbans Section

For more reading on Montana 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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