You're in the NoldZone

The NoldZone is produced by Andy Nold, a streetcar enthusiast in Irving, Texas. I am excited to show some of the work that has been done on the Tampa, Florida streetcar and I have some fresh photos of the new 88-LSS Birney Truck that I have been helping build for the Tampa & Ybor City Street Railway in Tampa, Florida. This truck has delayed work on Fort Worth No. 560, but we will be able to use the work done for Florida on the Fort Worth car.

As for No. 560, it is an original single-truck Birney Safety Car from the streets of Fort Worth, Texas. The former North Texas Traction streetcar No. 560 ran in Fort Worth until 1934 and was discovered along with sister streetcar No. 557 in a house that was demolished in Andrews, Texas.

The following pages exist to further my interests in street railways, (with a focus on Fort Worth and the North Texas area) as well as the restoration efforts of streetcar No. 560. This is also the official, unofficial homepage for NTHT, Inc. North Texas Historic Transportation, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 exempt organization formed for the purpose of preserving historic transportation in the North Texas area. If you are interested in receiving a membership application for NTHT, just drop me a note with your snail-mail address, and I will send you a form and a complimentary copy of the newsletter.

Tampa Update - Jan. 19, 2000 - Now including track construction!

Council approves more study of downtown area trolley system By Ginger D. Richardson, Star-Telegram Staff Writer
After hearing that it is economically feasible, the City Council approved further research yesterday on a fixed-rail trolley system to connect the city's downtown, historic and cultural districts. Consultants will begin a preliminary engineering and environmental impact analysis of the project, which is estimated to have an annual ridership of 1.2 million. The nine-mile, $35 million trolley system could be an enormous benefit to the city, said Mayor Kenneth Barr, who added that he believes that there is "a very strong chance" that it could become a reality. "I think we can build it, I think it makes a lot of sense," Barr said. "We're going to have to figure out how to pay for it, but it offers tremendous benefits to the city from a number of different perspectives." Funding for the project could come from sources including federal grants, vehicle sponsorship, fund raising and perhaps a bond election. The city's share is expected to be a little more than $7 million. "I suspect that it will require to be placed on a future bond issue," Barr said. "That gives the citizens the right to comment on it, or to approve it or to not approve it."	Fort Worth's estimated operating costs per vehicle mile - $10.05 - are compatible with many other cities that have trolley systems, except for Dallas. That city's costs are only $5.17 per vehicle mile because its trolleys are manned with volunteer labor, according to Parsons Transportation Group, the company that conducted the study. Fort Worth anticipates employing 33 people to drive, manage and maintain its trolley system. The proposed route is from Exchange Avenue, south on North Main Street, through downtown along Houston and Commerce streets, and then west along West Seventh Street and Camp Bowie Boulevard, said Robert Jenkins, Fort Worth office manager for Parsons group. City Councilman Clyde Picht asked that the trolley's route also include a connection to the Fort Worth Zoo, and Barr proposed that it eventually extend to the medical district as well.

Council approves more study of downtown area trolley system
By Ginger D. Richardson, Star-Telegram Staff Writer

After hearing that it is economically feasible, the City Council approved further research yesterday on a fixed-rail trolley system to connect the city's downtown, historic and cultural districts.

Consultants will begin a preliminary engineering and environmental impact analysis of the project, which is estimated to have an annual ridership of 1.2 million.

The nine-mile, $35 million trolley system could be an enormous benefit to the city, said Mayor Kenneth Barr, who added that he believes that there is "a very strong chance" that it could become a reality.

"I think we can build it, I think it makes a lot of sense," Barr said. "We're going to have to figure out how to pay for it, but it offers tremendous benefits to the city from a number of different perspectives."

Funding for the project could come from sources including federal grants, vehicle sponsorship, fund raising and perhaps a bond election. The city's share is expected to be a little more than $7 million.

"I suspect that it will require to be placed on a future bond issue," Barr said. "That gives the citizens the right to comment on it, or to approve it or to not approve it."

Fort Worth's estimated operating costs per vehicle mile - $10.05 - are compatible with many other cities that have trolley systems, except for Dallas. That city's costs are only $5.17 per vehicle mile because its trolleys are manned with volunteer labor, according to Parsons Transportation Group, the company that conducted the study.

Fort Worth anticipates employing 33 people to drive, manage and maintain its trolley system.

The proposed route is from Exchange Avenue, south on North Main Street, through downtown along Houston and Commerce streets, and then west along West Seventh Street and Camp Bowie Boulevard, said Robert Jenkins, Fort Worth office manager for Parsons group.

City Councilman Clyde Picht asked that the trolley's route also include a connection to the Fort Worth Zoo, and Barr proposed that it eventually extend to the medical district as well.


	Comments, suggestions: Email Andy Nold