Twin City Lines: When Streetcars Ruled Minneapolis–St. Paul
Rochester Trolley & Tour Co.
June 26, 2025
Twin City Lines: When Streetcars Ruled Minneapolis–St. Paul
Long before rideshares, buses, or light rail systems connected Minneapolis and St. Paul, the heartbeat of the cities was a bright yellow streetcar. From the early 1900s through the mid-20th century, the Twin City Rapid Transit Company (TCRT)—also known as Twin City Lines—ran one of the most extensive and efficient streetcar systems in the United States.
At its peak, more than 500 miles of track crisscrossed the metro area, with streetcars serving nearly 200 million passengers a year. Workers, schoolchildren, and shoppers all relied on this clean, quiet, and punctual form of public transportation. The system was so efficient that streetcars in the Twin Cities were known for rarely running more than a few minutes late.
🚋 So what happened to them?
After World War II, the rise of the automobile and the push for more flexible, rubber-tired buses began to displace fixed rail systems. By 1954, the last streetcar rolled out of service—ironically, not due to public demand but due to a combination of economic pressure and questionable corporate decisions.
Though the streetcars are long gone from most city streets, you can still experience this golden age of urban transit thanks to the lovingly preserved Lake Harriet Streetcar Line in Minneapolis. Operated by dedicated volunteers, this short but scenic ride gives passengers a chance to step back in time and feel the gentle sway of history.
🚂 Join us for a ride through the past.
As part of our Minnesota Railroad Tour, we’ll visit Minneapolis and take a relaxing, nostalgic trip on the Lake Harriet Streetcar—one of the last chances to ride a piece of Twin Cities transit history.