Yakima, Washington--in the heart of Apple Country, at
one time had an extensive interurban and electric freight operation. The
City of Yakima also had its own trolley network.
The beginnings of Yakima Valley Transportation came about in 1907, when
the line to Selah opened. Ultimately, branches to Ahtanum, Wiley City,
Union Gap and Summitview were built, all serving the apple orchards, and
YVT reached a total length of 44 miles. Two Niles-built interurbans,
shorter than most, served passengers, and a number of electric
locomotives were also acquired. Control of YVT passed to Union Pacific
at some point in time, and passenger service ended in 1947. Freight
service, however, continued to 1985, and the Selah line was the last in
service.
In the meantime, a city system developed in Yakima as well. The zenith
of Yakima trolleys occurred in 1930, when three Brill Master Unit cars
were acquired. These lasted to the close of the city system in 1948, and
the three Master Units went to the Portland Traction system, and
continued to operate until 1958. All three went to museums in the
Pacific Northwest.
In 1974, Yakima Interurban Lines Association was formed to run historic
streetcars on the remaining Selah branch. Two "eight-window" 4-wheel
trolleys from Oporto, Portugal, which were similar to cars that operated
in Yakima, were purchased and restored for service. They were numbered
1776 and 1976 in honor of the U. S. Bicentennial. In actual operation,
they are referred to as numbers 17 and 19. In the late 1980s, Master
Units 21 and 22 were acquired, and #21, the better of the two, was
placed in service.
Under YILA management, operation was always mired in politics with both
the city and with private property owners, and was embroiled in
financial troubles as well. At one point, there were attempts to sell
the Master Units to San Francisco Municipal Railway or other
organizations, but those fell through. (The sources at Muni I talked to
knew nothing about this!) Eventually, a new entity, Yakima Valley
Trolleys, was formed, replacing YILA in 2001 and returning the service
to a sound footing. Trolleys returned to operation in 2002, and now run
on weekends during the summer months.
The line to Selah is quite scenic, passing through the Selah Gap and
across the Naches River. The stone car barn and substation at Pine Street
and 3rd Avenue dates to 1910. Trolleys run from here west on Pine Street
to 6th Avenue, where the track curves northward through the Davis High
School campus, thence in the center of 6th Avenue. A number of
attractive homes and churches and a motley assortment of small
businesses line 6th Avenue. Just south of the Naches River, the tracks
move to the east side of the road, and then cross the river paralleling
the old Northern Pacific Railroad into Selah Gap, and on into the town
of Selah, ending at the Civic Center. The entire line is on the National
Register of Historic Places because of its history as the last example
of a country interurban.
Both Oporto cars and Master Unit 21 are in service. In addition, Yakima
Valley Trolleys also owns Line Car A, built 1909, and Alco-GE steeplecab
loco 298, vintage 1922. These two pieces of equipment are still in Union
Pacific livery.
If you're up in Apple Country--or coming from Seattle, Portland or
Anyplace, USA--Yakima is well worth the visit.
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