M-LINE Trolley

McKinney Avenue Transit Authority

Dallas, Tx / Jun 2003 / JCH

We link the general public, students, and international visitors to Dallas’ history by actively preserving vintage streetcars and integrating them into everyday life. Streetcars calm vehicular traffic, making streets safer for pedestrians. We also enhance walkability by making car-free living a viable option.

McKinney Avenue Transit Authority

egyptian he McKinney Avenue Transit Authority was founded in 1983 to return heritage streetcars to the urban fabric of Dallas, Texas. Today the authority operates a a 4.6 mile section of historic streetcar trackage in downtown Dallas known as the M-Line. The operation includes a stable of seven operating streetcars from various historic trolley builders. Other cars are undergoing or awaiting restoration. The operation boasts more than 600,000 annual riders. Sponsors of the authority include Dallas Area Rapid Transit. "After more than 30 years, MATA has grown to become a critical component of the city’s transportation network as well as a treasured amenity of Dallas."

Jun 2003 / JCH

2021 M-Line route map / collection

M-Line route map / collection

dallas_inset In 1889 the first electric streetcar line was built, just the first of many more such lines built in the city by various transit companies. A cable car line was proposed in 1890, but by 1891 only 3,000 feet of it had been built and it was never completed. Eventually, the existing mule and steam powered railways were converted or were abandoned as the electric cars provided faster, more reliable and pollution-free service. In 1917 all the various companies were consolidated into one: The Dallas Railway Company. This later became the Dallas Railway and Terminal Company (The company also owned the Interurban Terminal building.) and finally the Dallas Transit Company. The Texas Electric Railway interurban also once operated local streetcar service in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas. In 1925 they sold this line to Dallas Railway.

McKinney Avenue Transit Authority

Dallas, Tx / Jun 2003 / JCH

collection

collection

See also our associated Dallas Area Rapid Transit scrapbook in Streetcars

McKinney Avenue Transit Authority #636

Dallas, Tx / Jun 2003 / JCH

McKinney Avenue Transit Authority #636 "Petunia"

builder:J. G. Brill Company

type:One-truck "Birney Safety Car"

built:1920

notes:

length: 28'; weight: 10 tons

blt for Dallas Railway Company
retired from service, 1947
used as private residence
restored and donated to MATA, 1970s

Dallas, Tx / Jun 2003 / JCH

Dallas, Tx / Jun 2003 / JCH

Dallas, Tx / Jun 2003 / JCH

Dallas, Tx / Jun 2003 / JCH

german Dallas native, "Petunia" was built in 1920 by the J.G. Brill Company as part of an order of 25 cars for the Dallas Railway Company. The car is a "Birney Safety Car" — named after designer Charles Birney — and featured numerous safety improvements over earlier streetcars. On the other hand, they were known for their bouncy ride and thus never very popular with the Dallas riding public.

mata636_inset Despite that, Petunia remained in service until 1947 when she was replaced by more modern equipment and stripped of her wheels, motors and electrical equipment. She was then purchased by a rancher in East Texas, who converted the streetcar into a residence where he lived for 30 years.

Petunia was acquired in the 1970s by MATA co-founder Ed Landrum, who spent 8 years on restoration efforts. She was named Petunia for her "petite size and generally sweet nature." Petunia has since been fitted with shock absorbers to smooth out her previously bouncy ride.

McKinney Avenue Transit Authority