One of the more interesting components of the Heritage Discovery Center is a proposal to construct a trolley line between the site and downtown. The heritage trolley line would connect the Lee Street property to downtown utilizing an abandoned 1.6 mile railroad right-of-way currently owned by the NFTA. The DL&W corridor, which the NFTA was recently trying to sell but later pulled off the market after howls of protest, stretches between the Buffalo River and Moore Street through The Valley and Old First Ward neighborhoods.
The Western New York Railway Historical Society says the trolley line doesn't need to end there. It could be extended north and south. One would circle through the Cobblestone District to the Erie Canal Harbor providing a transfer point with the NFTA light rail line. A second could go through the Old First Ward to stop at the Riverfest Park.
The Railway Historical Society and Citizens for Regional Transit are commissioning a $30,000 study to provide cost estimates and an operating plan.
"We've talked to the NFTA which owns the old DL&W right-of-way," says Joseph Kocsis, President of the 400-member Western New York Railway Historical Society. "They're interested but want to see how feasible it is both financially and from an engineering standpoint."
Stone Consulting of Warren, PA will start the study in November that is expected to take 90 days to complete.
"There are nineteen or twenty heritage streetcar lines throughout the country such as in Memphis, Charlotte, New Orleans, Seattle and Tampa," says Kocsis. "They are a tourist attraction in their own right but can also spur development along the route."
Kocsis says he believes the full system could be built for under $15 million. "It's not an expensive proposition."
A portion of the right-of-way was elevated years ago so trains could reach DL&W Terminal's second floor platforms. Bridges at the cross streets were removed instead of maintained however. The embankments would be kept in place and the trolleys have the ability to descend from the embankments to street level and then up the embankment on the other side. Trolley stops would be at street crossings where brick platforms could be built. The group is also working with the UB School of Architecture on the proposal. A multi-use, bike and pedestrian trail could be built within the right-of-way as well.
The operating plan would determine whether the line would just run for special events, on weekends, or daily.
While the Railway Historical Society envisions operating the line, Kocsis says another option is for the NFTA to construct and operate the system. The NFTA could access highly-competitive US Department of Transportation funding to help pay for the project. Transit agencies or non-profits run the lines in other cities. If the Society runs the trolley line, it would lease or buy the corridor from the NFTA.
The Railway Historical Society has 50 pieces of equipment but no trolleys. Kocsis says trolleys can be reproduced using the IRC design as a model. Gomaco Trolley Company has built many of the trolleys for other systems.
Eventually, Kocsis says his group would look to acquire several trolleys from other cities to restore. "Unfortunately we have not found any historical Buffalo trolleys," he says. "I believe they all have either been scrapped or burned."
Kocsis says his group has talked to neighborhood groups and elected officials about the plan. "Everyone has been supportive. Most just want to know the dollars and cents of it."
This certainly would address the concerns of accessibility.
A connection to the 2nd floor of DL&W would be very unique. Another reason to come down to canal side and connect to this proposed group of museums.
It is really a shame that no trolleys can be dug up... Hopefully one can be found even if it can't be used.