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TRIP TO RECALL THE DAY THE TROLLEY DIED

Paul Grondahl Staff writer
Section: LIVING,  Page: C1

Date: Thursday, August 29, 1991

All aboard!


Take a ride down memory lane and re- live the final trolley car trip through Albany that took place on Aug. 31, 1946, aboard No. 834 of the "Belt Line" of the United Traction Co. The nostalgic ride aboard a modern-day trolley-bus is sponsored by the Mohawk & Hudson chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.


The trip will depart promptly at 7 p.m. on Thursday


from in front of Kiernan Plaza, the former Albany Union Station Building on Broadway. A $3 fee and a reservation is required, because space is limited. To make a reservation, call Mrs. C.L. Ballard at 283- 5668.


The one-hour tour through downtown and the city's neighborhoods will retrace the last trolley ride 45 years ago. Guest of honor for the tour will be Milton Greenfield of McKownville, a retired United Traction Co. motorman, who will share some of his recollections.


"There is a certain amount of romanticism about the trolley era," says Tim Truscott, a member of the local railway historical society chapter. "It was a great way to travel and a clean, efficient mode of transportation. There was also a certain amount of camaraderie aboard a trolley car."


Truscott says anyone with a passing interest in transportation history is welcome on the commemorative trip, but confirmed trolley car aficionados, a.k.a. "juice freaks," will be especially interested.


"We'd like to make the public more aware of the trolley history of Albany through this trip," Truscott says.


The first electrification of street car lines in Albany appeared in 1889, following the horse-drawn conveyance along Broadway that was begun in 1862.


In 1899, the Albany Railway Company, the Troy City Railway Company and the Watervliet Turnpike and Railroad Company were merged to form the United Traction Company. That firm was headquartered at the corner of Broadway and Columbia Street in downtown Albany and had significant influence on how the city grew. The Pine Hills neighborhood, for example, blossomed partly because the trolley line ran right past it.


The arrival of buses sounded the death knell for the trolley car. Trolley service in Albany ended on Saturday, Aug. 31, 1946, after 56 years of electric streetcar operation.


The last to go was the "Belt Line," which encircled the downtown area bounded by Pearl Street, Clinton Avenue, Quail Street and Madison Avenue.


The final trolley car pulled out of the United Traction Company's Quail Street car barn at 11:10 p.m. on that Saturday 45 years ago with more than 100 trolley enthusiasts aboard to mourn the passing of an era. Motorman Perry Vincent did the honors on that commemorative trip.


At the last stop on that final ride, the "juice freaks" aboard serenaded streetcar No. 834 and motorman Vincent with a chorus of "Auld Lange Syne."


A good singing voice is not required for the 45th anniversary ride, but don't be surprised if the nostalgic riders break out in song once again on Thursday night. Trolley-bus ride around Albany commemorating the end of trolley car operation on the city's "Belt Line" 45 years ago. The one-hour tour departs promptly at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, from in front of Kiernan Plaza, the former Union Station on Broadway. A $3 donation and reservation is required. Space is limited. Call Mrs. C.L. Ballard at 283-5668. Sponsored by the Mohawk & Hudson chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.