Review of streetcar in Seattle

It seems like every city has a historic trolley line these days. Like most cities, Seattle once had an extensive trolley network, which created suburbs before there were decent roads out of the city. Recently, amidst all of the transit turmoil that the Monorail innitiative has caused, some City Council members have talked about extending the Waterfront Streetcar up past the Seattle Center and to the Denny triangle. What a great tourist attraction that would be if it was ever done. You could take the streetcar from the International District, right next to King Street Station, past the waterfront to the Seattle Center. Nice! Anyone who thinks it will happen is insane.

On the left: the waterfront trolley streetcar at its Jackson Street station. It is actually owned by the Northwest Railway Museum and on loan to Metro (I need to confirm this; I've always assumed this was true, but only heard it word of mouth.) Behind it is the covered entrance to the International District bus tunnel station. To the right are Union Station and King Street Station. Behind Union Station is a Paul Allen building.

Metro Route 99, the Waterfront Streetcar, makes a very pleasant trip from the International District on 5th and Jackson along the waterfront to Myrtle Edwards Park on Broad and Alaska. This is the Broad Street Station, in the background is the Kawikkenden (?) trolley barn.

The Waterfront Streetcar on Alaska Way. In the background is one of the mammoth cruise liners which are the newest form of transportation in Seattle.

Ouch! The brakes failed as they rounded the corner at Washington Street, and the trolley slammed into the barricade at Jackson Street.

There were only a few broken bones, but the advertisement on the side was strangely prophetic: "We Will Rock You".