The New Orleans Streetcar - Celebrating Yesterday, Today, And In Art

This is a celebration of New Orleans and its Streetcars through a photo parade of images of actual trains and Art from the new street exhibit called "A Streetcar Named Inspire". The exhibit runs through early 2009.

I arrived in New Orleans to live in August of 1964. I lived for a couple of weeks at 1205 St. Charles, then called "The Orlenian" apartments; since the St. Charles line passed right in front of the building (image #2 on the video), I instantly fell in love with its amazing streetcars. Never in my life had I seen a train that was used as a "bus", and to boot, The Beatles were coming to town so I knew I had arrived in the right place.

Some people are born in New Orleans and they call it home by birthright, I arrived at age 12 after having lived in Cuba, Miami, Rome (New York), and Nashville and I adopted it as my home town, because it was love at first sight. I chose to make it my own and adopted it as such, and I've lived here ever since, now going on 45 years. After my family fled from Cuba for political reasons, it was the first place that I could truly call "home" again. We settled in the lovely Vista Park subdivision of Gentilly, a "Leave It To Beaver" type of community, were I made dear lifelong friends and I became a proud citizen of this great city.

With this video I hope I've brought a little slice of New Orleans and its wonderful streetcars; join me in celebrating this now "ancient" and unique mode of transportation that still thrives in our beautiful city. Enjoy!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• landmark
• New
• Orleans
• trains
• trolley
• City
• Transport
• Sculpture
• Art
• Louisiana
• Travel
• Cityscape
• Historic

[LaVerne37]

10***** The Boswell Sisters...native sisters...how could New Orleans possibly go wrong? Thanks Serg!!!

Wayne...beautiful beautiful beautiful...and what memories...from college...ahem...that's about as far as I can go in print...

[Gentillykid]

Thank you, Mr. Wayne. New Orleans is a National Treasure.:o)

[005jonnybeez]

Great heartfelt tribute. I recognize the dark green car with the wooden seats because we have at least one of those here in San Francisco running once in a while on the Historic Streetcar "F" Line traveling up & down Market St.! The unfortunate thing about that car and a few others from other parts of the country & the world is that some can't run as often I'm told because they were built before handicapped rider access was a standard requirement! Oh well! At least I get to enjoy them sometimes!

[Gentillykid]

Correct me if I'm wrong, I believe only San Francisco and New Orleans are the only cities left that have trolley/streetcar city transport. Thanks!

[005jonnybeez]

I can't say about other cities, but we have had them going on a program since the late 90s and have cars from all over the world. I really wish some would run more often! By the way, I pm'ed you a great site link!

[Gentillykid]

Glad you enjoyed it and that it brought back great memories. Thanks for posting.:o)

[Gentillykid]

Thanks for posting. My pleasure.

[Gentillykid]

Prima, Yes they are so unique. Thanks for posting.