Austin’s first rail era lasted from 1875 to 1940

New service starts March 22

Steve Hawley, Mar 10, 10.

Although Austin’s soon-to-be-opened commuter rail line has drawn a lot of attention, it is not the first time the city has had a rail system, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

The city had a streetcar line for 65 years - from 1875 to 1940 - before it was forced to close due to a lack of funding. Originally, the rail car was pulled by mules. A competing electric rail line opened in 1891, when the city had just 15,000 residents. After a fire destroyed killed many of the mules and destroyed 16 of their rail cars, the companies merged.

At its height, the city had 23 miles of rail service, but the privately-owned transit company faced financial difficulties. Without any tax subsidy, the company had to make a profit to continue providing service. By the 1930s rail service was declining and bus service was on the rise. In 1940, faced with more financial troubles and complaints about noise and hazards, the streetcar company shut down, replaced by buses and cars. The rails were torn up and sold for scrap metal during World War II. Houston also had an extensive light rail system that was torn up around the same time. According to Houston Streetcar History Pages, at its peak “the system encompassed two dozen routes operating over 90 miles of track.”

The new 32-mile commuter rail line, which will connect downtown Austin to Leander, opens March 22.

(Photo credit: sahmeditor)