Texas Interurbans and Streetcar Railroads
The information below includes short paragraph descriptions of most Texas interurbans and streetcar railroads. Austin Rapid Transit Company: The Austin Rapid Transit Company served the City of Austin beginning operations in 1890. In 1902 the railroad was renamed the Austin Electric Railway and again in 1911 as the Austin Street Railway. It remained in service until 1945 when operations were suspended in favor of buses. Amarillo Street Railway: The Amarillo Street Railway began operations in 1908 serving its namesake city. It was renamed the Amarillo Traction Company in 1917 and streetcar services survived until 1940 when buses replaced railroad operations. Beaumont Traction Company: The Beaumont Traction Company served the city of Beaumont beginning operations in 1909. In 1918 the system was purchased by the Eastern Texas Electric Company and streetcar service remained until 1937 when buses replaced railrpad operations. Port Arthur Traction Company: The Port Arthur Traction Company served the city of Port Aurthur beginning operations in 1910. In 1918 it was purchased by the Eastern Texas Electric Company and operated until 1937 when sold to National City Lines and streetcar operations were abandoned in favor of buses. Corpus Christi Improvement Company: The oddly named Corpus Christi Improvement Company began operations in 1890 serving its namesake city. It was renamed the Corpus Christi Street & Interurban Railway in 1910 and again changed hands in 1925 as the Nueces Railway Company. Streetcar services survived until 1934 when buses replaced rail operations. El Paso Electric Company: The El Paso ElectricCompany began operations in 1901 taking over from several smaller interurban operations in the city. In 1943 it was renamed the El Paso City Lines and streetcars lasted all of the way until 1977 before finally being discontinued. Laredo Electric & Railway: The Laredo Electric & Railway began operations in 1892 taking over from several smaller lines. It was renamed the Central Power & Light Company in 1930 and streetcar service survived a few years longer until 1934. Citizens Railway: The Citizens Railway served the Waco area and began operations in 1877. The railroad was renamed three more times during its existence including the Southern Traction Company in 1913, Texas Electric Railway in 1917 and finally as the Waco Transit Company in 1946. Streetcar service survived a few years longer until 1948 when buses replaced railroad operations.
Witchita Falls Traction Company: The Witchita Falls Traction Company began operations in 1909 serving its namesake city. Streetcar service lasted until 1935 when buses replaced railroad operations. Bryan & College Interurban Railway: The Bryan & College Interurban Railway began operations in 1910 serving Bryan and College Station on a seven mile railroad system. It was sold in 1923 and renamed the Bryan-College Traction Company which operated the line until 1930 when operations were abandoned. Dallas Consolidated Electric Street Railway: The Dallas Consolidated Electric Street Railway began operations in 1898 serving the Dallas area. It was purchased by the Dallas Electric Corporation in 1902 and again changed hands in 1925 as the Dallas Railway & Terminal Company. In 1955 the operation became the Dallas Transit Company and operated for one more year before discontinuing streetcar operations. Fort Worth Street Railway: The Fort Worth Street Railway dates back to 1874 as a horse-powered streetcar operation. It was renamed the Northern Texas Electric Company in 1902 and again changed hands in 1938 as the Fort Worth Transit Company. Streetcar service survived until 1939 when buses took over transit operations. Texas Traction Company: The Texas Traction Company served the town of McKinney beginning operations in 1907. In 1917 it was renamed the Texas Electric Railway and streetcar service survived until 1926. Lake Park Street Railway: The Lake Park Street Railway began operations in 1887 serving the town of Waxahatchie. In 1891 it was renamed the Waxahachie Street Railway and again changed hands in 1912 as the Southern Traction Company before being purchased by the Texas Electric Railway in 1917. Streetcar operations were discontinued in 1932. San Antonio Traction Company: The San Antonio Traction Company was formed in 1900 by several smaller railroad systems. At its peak the interurban served downtown San Antonio and the suburbs of Beacon Hill, Denver Heights, and Alamo Heights. Operations survived until 1933 when buses replaced railroad services. Other notable Texas interurbans: Bonham Railway, Power & Light Brownsville Street & Interurban Railway Corsicana Traction Company Dallas Interurban Terminal Eastern Texas Traction Company Galveston Electric Company (Operated streetcars in Galveston until 1938.) Houston Electric Company Roby Northern Railroad Southwestern Gas & Electric Company (Purchased by the Middle West Utilities Company in 1925 and discontinued railroad services ten years later.) Southwestern Texas Traction Company For a small gallery of photographs highlighting Texas interurbans and streetcar railroads please click here.
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