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The Trolley Plan for Aspen
The complete Plan for an Aspen Trolley is presented on this site.
The Plan for an Aspen Trolley has been refined over 20 years and is the product of input from City Councils, the Planning and Zoning Commissions, and numerous other commissions, committees, task forces, boards, and interested citizenry. The plan is to connect north and south Aspen along its busiest corridor with an effective transit system using historic trolleys providing character and a memorable riding experience. The Trolley will replace the Galena Street shuttle buses in downtown Aspen with no loss in bus services.
The Aspen Trolley system will be financed by the Aspen Street Railway Company, a private non-profit corporation The original plan called for financing with funds raised through private and corporate contributions. It is the purpose of the corporation in cooperation with the city and community to construct a narrow gauge in-street trolley system. When the system is completed, ownership will be turned over to the city and RFTA will assume responsibility for operations. Trolley operation is not expected to exceed the cost of the Galena Street Shuttle buses. A Financial Plan for construction and operation of the Aspen Trolley system was put together in 1994 and has been brought up to date. The plan has been modified to eliminate overhead wires, provide a first class trolley restoration, and to update mechanics to utilize low maintenance modern electric motors and onboard non-polluting battery power.
The City of Aspen currently owns the six vintage trolley needed to run the line. Restoration is required before they can be put into operation. They trolleys are unique, historical, and non replaceable. With restoration and electronic-mechanical modernization, the trolleys, unlike busses, will virtually last 'forever' if maintained as they have been in New Orleans and elsewhere.
The trolley route is approximately 0.55 miles and drops 60 feet, from Rubey Park to the Post Office with double tracks in Galena Street to permit traffic flow. Two operating trolleys can provide 5 minute pickup intervals on the route.
Laying in-street track will require some disruption. However, it can be managed on a block by block basis and performed quickly with pre-formed track panels. Actually construction would take place in the spring off-season and should be completed in only a matter of a few weeks.
A trolley barn is proposed on the Rio Grande railway right of away off Puppy Smith Street. The trolley barn can house all six trolley cars. Office space for their operation is included. An earlier architectural design was chosen to be very similar to historic mining buildings which were once located in the immediate area.
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