Taking the trolley

How appropriate that we chose to take the McKinney Avenue trolley to see the "Lost Dallas" exhibition at the Dallas Center for Architecture.  And what a glorious day for it we had, all sunshine and balmy breezes after three days of rain that lowered temps to near April levels.

Petunia arriving

"Forward-looking" Dallas removed its streetcars in 1956, and it was not until 1989 that they returned, operated by a non-profit organization, the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority. They now run from the West Village through Uptown to downtown by the Dallas Museum of Art, around two miles, and are in the process of expanding.
 

Inside Petunia

 

Matilda arriving

  At the West Village, we boarded Petunia, a 1920 "Birney Safety Car" that plied the streets of Dallas until 1947 when she settled as a residence for 30 years before being restored to glory.  A mom and her excited kids, a nicely-dressed older couple, and a few other people were our fellow passengers on this ride which took us nearly to the end of the line on the edge of downtown. 

Returning from the exhibit, we caught Matilda heading back.  She's a 1925 car who served six decades in Melbourne, Australia and is now the largest in MATA's fleet.  Lots more people on board now: kids and parents just having a ride for the fun of it, workers heading to lunch.  We hopped off for lunch at a shaded patio that was bustling on this perfect-for-alfresco-dining day.
 
After lunch it was Petunia again who arrived to take us back to the West Village.  As an extra special treat, we got to revolve around on the Uptown Station turntable which delighted all the kids. So ended our first excursion on the McKinney Avenue trolley, but it won't be our last.

 

Petunia on the turntable