Streetcar no. 605 is lifted onto a truck for transport to a storage facility on the morning of Nov. 14. See more photos below.
Waterfront streetcar takes (time) off
The vintage Australian streetcars that plied the Seattle waterfront for more than 23 years have been lifted from their tracks and placed in temporary storage until a new maintenance facility can be built.
The old facility, located near the south end of Myrtle Edwards Park, occupied land needed for the Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Garden. In an agreement passed by the King County Council in November, Metro is partnering with a local developer to create a mixed-use housing and retail complex that will include a new streetcar maintenance facility near Occidental Park in Pioneer Square. The new building will be located between South Washington and South Main streets, and Metro hopes to have the streetcars back in operation by mid-2007.
In the meantime, Metro is continuing service on the George Benson Waterfront Streetcar Line with bus service (new Route 99) using buses that have a special vinyl wrap designed to evoke the streetcars (see photo at bottom right). The bus route connects the International District/Chinatown, Pioneer Square, and the waterfront communities served by the streetcars, though the route and stops have been altered slightly.
The bus route travels from Alaskan Way and Clay Street on the downtown Seattle waterfront to Eighth Avenue South and South King Street in the Chinatown/International District. It follows the streetcar tracks along the waterfront, but then diverts to Jackson Street instead of Main Street. Also, there is a new bus stop for Route 99 at Jackson Street and Occidental Avenue for passengers traveling to Pioneer Square or the sports stadiums.
“Metro and loyal streetcar fans will miss the popular Seattle icon,” said Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond, but “the temporary bus service will offer the same frequency and cover a slightly larger area. And, because Route 99 will be served by regular coaches operating in the downtown ride-free area, there will be no charge for the trip.”
Workers prepare equipment for a heavy lifting job. 
After more than 20 years on the tracks, car 605 goes briefly airborne. 
Streetcar 512 rides into the sunset on its last day of service—for a while. |
Conductor Ralph Tigre shares a smile and a wave. 
Riders board and disembark from the streetcar on its last day of service. 
New Route 99 buses sport wraps designed to look like the streetcars. |
Last update: February 10, 2006
Current issue: November/December 2005
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