Yakima Valley Transportation Company
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Yakima Valley Transportation Company | |
---|---|
Reporting marks | YVT |
Locale | Washington |
Dates of operation | 1907–1985 |
Track gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge) |
Headquarters | Yakima, Washington |
The Yakima Valley Transportation Company was an interurban electric railroad headquartered in Yakima, Washington. It began operations in 1907 as a streetcar line downtown; a line west to Henrybro, Washington was completed in 1910 and one north to Speyers, Washington was complete in 1913. From 1909 onward, the line was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Union Pacific Railroad and functioned as a feeder service to the mainline. Passenger service ceased on February 1, 1947, but the line stayed open another 38 years as a freight-only operation. Union Pacific filed for abandonment on April 26, 1984, which was granted by the Interstate Commerce Commission on June 5, 1985. Operation ceased on November 11, 1985. Subsequently, the City of Yakima acquired a portion of the track, which is still in operation as of 2008 as a tourist streetcar operation by the Yakima Valley Trolleys, a 501(c)(3) volunteer-run non-profit organization.
[edit] References
- Hamilton, Charles (2004). Electric trolley system opens in Yakima on December 25, 1907. Seattle: HistoryLink.org. Retrieved on December 8, 2005.
- TrainWeb.org (1999). Western Shortline Rosters: Yakima Valley Transportation Company - YVT. Retrieved on December 8, 2005.
- Ross, Don (2003). Don's Rail Photos: Yakima Valley Transportation Co.. Retrieved on December 8, 2005.