Language
Country/Area
No result found
The Miracle of Electricity: Why were early American interurban railroads so popular?
In the United States in the early 20th century, the Interurban became the hub of intercity transportation due to its convenience and reliability. This unique electric-driven transportation system not only promotes the connection between the city and the surrounding countryside, but also allows the economies of various places to flourish.
“Across many towns, these railways provide convenient transportation that was unimaginable in the past.”
The rise of inter-city railways stems from the advancement of electric propulsion technology and the urgent need for transportation. In the 1880s, electric streetcars rapidly changed transportation compared to horse-drawn carriages. Precisely because of the heavy traffic in the city and the inconvenient transportation in surrounding areas, investors have shown great expectations for inter-city railways.
According to statistics, by 1915, there were about 15,500 miles of interurban railroads in operation in the United States, and they became the fifth largest industry at the time. These railways not only contain cars that control traffic, but also have dedicated infrastructure and services that provide a stable transportation solution for thousands of passengers, especially during severe winter weather.
“Inter-urban railways are not only a means of transportation, they symbolize a new era, breaking the distance between cities and rural areas.”
Definition of inter-urban railway
The concept of interurban railroads was first proposed by Indiana State Senator Charles L. Henry. The Latin word "inter urbes" means "between cities." Serving as a link between city street trams and fully functional railways, this mode of transportation has unique features, including electric propulsion. Inter-urban railways are mainly aimed at passenger services and have heavier and faster equipment than urban streetcars. The operating area also covers urban streets and rural roads.
The rise and development of inter-city railways
The situation in the United States
The development of interurban railroads in the United States began in the late 19th century, when advances in electric traction technology drew attention to the need to improve rural transportation. With the successful deployment of electric streetcar systems, many areas have been given more efficient transportation capabilities. One of the first interurban railroads was the Newark and Granville Street Railroad in Ohio. Although this line was not a significant success, subsequent projects attracted the attention of investors.
Between 1900 and 1916, with the establishment of inter-urban railways, a large railway network was formed throughout the United States. At their peak, such as in Indiana, passenger transportation in many cities was almost replaced by these railroads as part of daily life.
The situation in Europe
Compared to the United States, Europe has also seen a wave of inter-urban railways. In Belgium, the national operator NMVB/SNCV has established a nationwide narrow-gauge transport system to provide convenient transportation connections to small towns. The Netherlands also built a large number of inter-city railway networks in the early 20th century, becoming an important part of local transportation. The operation of these systems is particularly focused on the needs of passengers and has successfully promoted regional exchanges.
Dependence and Decline
However, the rise of the automobile and related infrastructure, especially in the early 1920s, took passengers away from intercity railroads. Interurban railways are no longer the main means of transportation for people, and many companies have gone bankrupt early due to unsustainable profits. This resulted in almost all interurban railways in North America being discontinued after 1930, with only a few still operating into the 1950s.
“Faced with the rapid spread of private cars, interurban railways quickly became unable to compete.”
Current inter-city railways
By the beginning of the 21st century, many cities around the world were re-evaluating their public transportation systems, and many new rapid tram systems revived thinking about inter-urban railways, especially in places such as France and Germany. Not only that, Swaziland’s mountain electrified railways are still in operation. These continued operations show that the inter-urban railway model still has contemporary applicability and practical value.
Can these emerging tram systems learn from the successful experience of early inter-urban railways and truly meet the travel needs of today's people?
