KinSource - Tale of the Week - Our Steam Street Cars

KinSource

Minnesota Tales

The Saturday Evening Spectator (Minneapolis), August 23, 1879, p. 1

OUR STEAM STREET CARS.

Past, Present, and Future With a Few Timely Hints to the Minneapolis, Lyndale and Lake Calhoun Railway.

Now that our Lyndale and Lake Calhoun Motor line of road is in full operation, it may be of general interest to know what has been done, is now being done and what the future purposes of the line. As a matter of course the road was built for speculation, to enhance the value of property along its line and encourage building operations, but as for paying from its patronage during the first few years, the projectors, little expected to meet with such a bonanza so that which the company has struck. Many dubious thoughts were expressed at the start and but few expected to see the road run at all! Now, every one, almost without exception would be perfectly willing to own a few thousand dollars worth of stock. As an evidence of its popularity Col. McCrory informs us, that from the present outlook they will carry an average of 500 passengers daily or nearly 200,000 during the first twelve months; this includes all those riding out or inside the city, many fares being five cents and less, so that in figuring up the grand total of revenues the sum would be much smaller than it at first appears, from the number of persons carried; then again president McCrary was remarkably lavish with his free passes and this helps reduce the apparently large receipts. Nevertheless, the grand total will show up in good shape.

That many mistakes have occurred and are constantly occurring is not surprising, for even on a short line like this, with everyone to please or displease, there is work enough for several managers.

It would have been greatly to the advantage of the road, to have placed experienced conductors in charge of the trains. We fully appreciate the efforts of the young gentlemen who have been placed in charge, but experience only can fit a man for a place where he must represent the interests both of the company and of the general public.

More or less trouble has been caused by irregularity of time, but as most of the patrons of the road are pleasure seekers, it has made little difference. We are glad to notice that this difficulty is being remedied. The loudest and strongest complaint against the road comes from those who are obliged to drive over Nicollet avenue. In changing the grade over the hill, some parts of the road bed was raised from two to three feet leaving the drive-way on either side in not only a disagreeable but dangerous condition. It is fortunate for the road that no serious accidents have occurred, as there would have been strong evidence against them in case of a suit for damages. Attention has been called to the condition of this portion of the road several times, but nothing was done until an irate farmer who had broken his wagon threatened prosecution unless the road was fixed. With a view to ascertain whose business it was to look after the road we called upon Col. McCrory, who says he has already spent over one thousand dollars upon this portion of the road, and thinks the city ought to assist in putting the street in good condition, while the city and town [feel] that what the road has done on the hill is of far more benefit to the railroad than any one else and that the company must leave the roadway in at least as good condition as it formerly was.

Col. McCrory says that after the fair is over, he proposes to put a gang of men at work and put the road in good condition. Many ask how the cars will be heated, to which we can say from head authority, with steam, and furthermore that the trains will run as early and as late during the winter as they now do, but not oftener than every two hours.

The Colonel is very confident that the road will be well patronized during the winter as they intend to have the finest skating park in the country on Lake Calhoun and will give several parties and hops weekly, at the pavilion.

If anybody can make the road pay, we believe President McCrory will.