Don's Rail Photos
Northern Texas Traction Co.
Tarrant County Traction Co
.
One of the oldest interurban lines in Texas, the NTT was completed between Dallas and Fort Worth in 1902. Since the line was only 35 miles long between two major cities, the standards were quite high for the time. The line was an outgrowth of the Fort Worth Street Ry., and both were operated together. In 1912, a line to Cleburne was built by a subsidiary named the Fort Worth Southern Traction Co. In 1914 it was reorganized as the Tarrant County Traction and operated as an integral part of the NTT. In the 1920s, effort was made to upgrade the service. On the mainline, cars were rebuilt and operated as Crimson Limiteds. On the Cleburne line, 5 cars were rebuilt in a similar fashion as Pioneer Limiteds. As a Stone & Webster property, the management saw the continuing decline in traffic due to the automobile and the beginning of the depression. In 1931, the Cleburne line was discontinued. This was followed by the abandonment of the main line in 1934. Local Fort Worth service ended in approximately 1940. Some of the newest interurbans were purchased by the Texas Electric Ry. Cars 25 (motor) and 411 (trailer) are being restored by a group in Fort Worth under the auspices of the "T". An express motor is being rebuilt as a party car by the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority in Dallas. Freight motor 330 is being restored by a group in Burleson. There is a proposal to build a local trolley in Fort Worth, and Birney 560 is being restored by the Trolleymeisters in Fort Worth.
And here are some photos of a few of the cars.
Cars 1-6 were built by Kuhlman in 1902. In 1926 1-5 were rebuilt as Pioneer Limiteds and had names of Texas heroes instead of numbers. Notice the awning over the rear windows on the "David Crockett."
Cars 21 thru 24 were built by St. Louis Car in 1911. These were the last built with a steamcoach roof.
Cars 25-28 were built by St. Louis Car in 1913, Order #986. They were upgraded to Crimson Limiteds in 1925. After abandonment, 27 and 28 became Texas Electric 366 and 367. They were scrapped in 1941. 25 became a home and is now being restored.
Cars 29-32 were built by St. Louis Car in 1920, Order #1248. They were upgraded to Crimson Limiteds in 1925. After abandonment, they became Texas Electric 368-371 in 1935. They were scrapped in 1941.
City service in Fort Worth ended with these classy double truck birneys, many of which went on to service in other cities.
The line car was built in the Handley shops.
We present a picture of Main Street looking north towards the Court House in Fort Worth.
We have another image of interest from Pete Charlton. It is the front page of one of the advertising folders for the Crimson Limited.
In 1924, NTT put out an advertisement which stressed the need for public transportation in community development. Isn't it amazing that the same holds true today even with or in spite of automobile ownership.
When they talk of the system they built, it was no idle boast. Here is a 1920 map of the Fort Worth central business district. The file is quite large and may take awhile to download.
Here is a group of photos of the 25 and 411 being restored.
And finally, a photo of the front of the express motor being restored at Burleson.
WebWork by Trinity Technology Co.
AMDG
11/18/2000
