Restored Trolley from 1946 Makes Public Debut on Silver Line

68-Year-Old Presidents Conference Committee Car Honors Balboa Park Centennial

San Diego – A train swap, a community partnership and Balboa Park’s Centennial Celebration all played important roles leading up to the launch of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s (MTS) second vintage streetcar – Balboa Park Centennial Car #530 – on the Silver Line downtown loop.

Officials from MTS, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), the San Diego Unified School District and a group of Washington Elementary School third-graders cut the ribbon today marking the beginning of service for Centennial Car #530 – one day shy of a year after its arrival in San Diego. After months of meticulous repairs, creating and replacing worn out sections, painting, and passing a rigid inspection, Centennial Car #530 is now fully operational and ready for service. The restored trolley honors Balboa Park’s Centennial Celebration and will also be a part of a year-long pilot program to educate third grade students about San Diego’s past and present.

“The addition of Centennial Car #530 means MTS can offer more reliable service on the Silver Line so passengers can enjoy a piece of San Diego’s streetcar history,” said MTS Board Chairman Harry Mathis. “This is a fantastic partnership between MTS, SDG&E and the San Diego Unified School District to educate the public about San Diego’s extraordinary past and allowing it to be part of our future.” 

The 68-year old streetcar was acquired as part of a trade with United Transportation Corporation (UTC)/Rail Air Sources (RAS) in exchange for two Siemens U-2 light rail vehicles that were phased out of the MTS fleet. San Diego’s U-2s will be displayed at rail museums in Suisun City, California and Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania. The restoration costs were underwritten, in part, by a SDG&E grant.

“For well over a century, SDG&E has been powering the original San Diego zero emissions vehicle – the San Diego trolley,” said Jim Avery, senior vice president of power supply and clean transportation for SDG&E.  “As we celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Balboa Park, the Balboa Park Centennial trolley reminds us all of that great tradition, one that we continue to build on as more and more of use clean transportation in our daily lives.”

And thanks to a second SDG&E grant, San Diego Unified School District third grade students will be invited to ride transit downtown, including the historic vintage trolley cars. This education program gives third-graders real-world perspective riding modern and historic modes of public transit. Vintage trolley riders will also see SDG&E, Balboa Park, San Diego Unified School District and MTS historic photos displayed above the windows inside both vintage trolleys, which will alternate operating on the Silver Line. 

"Our district's Vision 2020 of creating quality schools in neighborhood states that community partnerships add to the success of students," said San Diego Unified Board Trustee Richard Barrera. "The partnership with MTS and SDG&E will give our students the unique opportunity to experience San Diego history through the vintage trolley program. We are grateful to MTS and SDG&E for their continued support and commitment to the success of the students of San Diego."

The Silver Line runs a downtown loop in a clockwise direction only. It begins at the 12th & Imperial Transit Center along the Green Line to America Plaza and then along the Blue/Orange Line back to the 12th & Imperial Transit Center. The full 2.7-mile round trip takes 25 minutes and runs every 30 minutes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and on weekends. The Vintage trolley connects to all MTS routes that serve Balboa Park including Routes 3 and 120 which serve the Park’s west side and routes 7 and new Rapid 215 which serve stops on Park Boulevard.  For MTS routes, fare, and schedule information or a trip plan visit www.sdmts.com.  Vintage Trolley information is also available at www.SDVintageTrolley.com.  

Photo (from L to R): MTS CEO Paul Jablonski, San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts, San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria, MTS Board Chairman Harry Mathis, San Diego Unified Board Trustee Richard Barrera,  La Mesa City Councilmember  Guy McWhirter, Coronado City Councilmember Mike Woiwode, SDG&E Senior Vice President of Power Supply and Clean Transportation Jim Avery, National City Councilmember Mona Rios and former Coronado Councilmember Al Ovrom.

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