Trailblazer (monorail)
{{Infobox Public transit
| name = Trailblazer
| locale = Fair Park, Dallas, Texas
| transit_type = Monorail
| lines = 1
| stations = 2
| began_operation = 1956
| ended_operation = 1964
| owner = Monorail, Inc
| operator = Texas Skyways, Inc
| vehicles = 1
| system_length = {{convert|1600|ft|abbr=on}}
| map_state = collapsed
}}
Trailblazer was a suspended monorail that operated at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas from 1956 to 1964. It was the first commercially operated monorail system in the United States."Dallas Content to Wait, Watch Seattle's Results," Dallas Morning News, 07-12-1959
History
Envisioned as a demonstration project for transit solutions, Monorail, Inc. erected a short test system in Houston's Arrowhead Park as the Skyway Line in 1956. During the year, the company contracted with the State Fair of Texas for an expanded project at Fair Park in Dallas. Originally envisioned to be {{convert|4000|ft}} long with terminals at the Automobile Building and Pennsylvania Avenue (with a midway station at Cotton Bowl Plaza), the line was later reduced to {{convert|1600|ft}} terminating at the Cotton Bowl. It was completely funded and constructed by Monorail, Inc and operated as a fairgrounds concession by Texas Skyways, Inc — making it the nation's first commercial operating monorail line "Board OK's Monorail as Fair Exhibit," The Dallas Morning News, 07-27-1956 Most of the materials (including the vehicle) were repurposed from the Houston test project. It opened with a fare of 25 cents in time for the 1956 State Fair of Texas, and became a top visitor attraction."Park Board Agrees to Monorail Plans," The Dallas Morning News, 08-14-1956
It also made an appearance in the 1962 musical film State Fair, which was filmed in Fair Park.[http://www.monorails.org/tmspages/cpfilmtv2.html "Monorails on Film and TV"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314064224/http://www.monorails.org/tMspages/CPfilmTV2.html |date=2011-03-14 }}, Kim Pedersen
Service and operations
A 51-passenger vehicle—named Trailblazer—was built of light blue fiberglass and powered by two Packard 352 gasoline engines. A two-man crew operated the system with the driver sitting above the passenger compartment atop one of two bogies.[http://traintalkbloggers.wordpress.com/2010/05/11/the-wave-of-the-future/ "The Wave of the Future"], Train Talk, 05-11-2010{{unreliable source?|date=July 2022}} Trailblazer was supported by {{convert|30|ft|adj=on}} high inverted J-shaped steel towers spaced {{convert|100|ft}} apart. The suspended vehicle ran {{convert|18|ft}} above the ground on pneumatic tires with a maximum speed of {{convert|10|mph|spell=in}}; however, the system at Fair Park was limited by the acceleration possible between stations.
The monorail operated for several years during the State Fair of Texas and year-round on weekends. The system became a showcase of transportation technology for Dallas and Monorail, Inc, attracting the attention of urban planners and city leaders from around the world. Thirty months after installation, the system had attracted 50,000 riders; by the end of its life, it had carried over 1,000,000 people."Monorail's Future" The Dallas Morning News. 11-19-1957"Workmen Tear down Fair Monorail Track," The Dallas Morning News, 08-09-1964
In April 1958, a small fire caused the evacuation of Trailblazer, but the six passengers and two crew members escaped unharmed."8 Scramble to Safety as Fire Hits Monorail," The Dallas Morning News, 04-28-1958
The system was closed in 1964 due to diminishing novelty and maintenance, being replaced by the Swiss Sky Ride. The track was dismantled and the vehicle was scheduled to retire to the Goodell Monorail Museum in Houston."Trail-Blazing Days Over," The Dallas Morning News, 11-19-1964 Several years later, however, the monorail vehicle was found in a salvage yard. It was later purchased and moved to the town of Wills Point, Texas, and converted to a residence, where it remains today.[http://blog.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2009/01/a-trailblazers-resting-spot/ "A Trailblazer’s resting spot]", The Houston Chronicle, 01-20-2009
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://blogs.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2009/01/a_trailblazers_resting_spot_1.html Trailblazer Today]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110418055520/http://blogs.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2008/10/when_monorail_came_to_houston.html Houston Article and Photos]
- [https://www.flickr.com/photos/10166952@N08/3148853880/ Photo in Fair Park]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20111003062550/http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r293/VIEWLINER/PTA/MonoPC3.jpg Photo of Automobile Building Terminal]
- [http://catalog.dallaslibrary.org/Polaris/search/searchresults.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.6&type=Keyword&term=monorail%20dallas&by=KW&sort=PD_TI&limit=TOM=*&query=&page=0#__pos4 Dallas Public Library Images]
- [http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2011/06/celebrate_75th_anniversary_of.php Video of Trailblazer]
- [https://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/living-in-a-monorail-car/ "Living in a monorail car"]
{{US non-airport people movers}}
Category:monorails in the United States
Category:passenger rail transportation in Texas
Category:railway lines opened in 1956