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Jed Boal ReportingA Salt Lake man who dreams of a Sugarhouse Trolley has taken another step in his plan. He envisions a vintage trolley that would connect Sugarhouse with Trax. College engineers say technically it could work.
The future of the old rail line could be a trip into Salt Lake's past. Douglas White sees a vintage Sugarhouse Trolley. One or two trolley cars would run at 15 minute intervals from the South Salt Lake Trax station out to tenth east.
Douglas White, Sugarhouse Trolley Association: "It will start as a tourist operation for a year or so. As we get more resources, we'll expand it up to commuter level."
A University of Utah Civil Engineering class analyzed the two-mile stretch. They found 65-percent of the rail and rail bed would need to be replaced.
Joshua Redd, Student Project Manager: "There are sections that would require complete removal, clean and repair, and others where it's just pulling out the shrubbery and making sure it can drain properly."
But technically, a tram or electric trolley could work if the trolley does not run into economic and political barriers.
People who work along the old tracks think a trolley would bring life to the area.
Jim Crismer, Business Sales Manager: "We talk about going to lunch. We gotta drive further to get to lunch. It would be an added feature to get on the trolley and go to lunch and take a customer to something like that."
People who live along the corridor have mixed opinions about the project. Several residents we talked to said they didn't like it when trains were rumbling down the tracks before, and they don't want to see them here again. Others think, it's a good idea, and might beautify the corridor.
Kyle Moore, Resident: “There have been lots of weeds and homeless people living back there, that’s been kind of an issue.”
As long as a barrier makes it safe and cuts noise, Kyle Moore likes the idea.
Kyle Moore: "I think probably improve the area. Transportation would be good for local people."
Others prefer the idea of a bike path. The trolley will take a lot of fund raising and political support. Westminster College students will tackle the business plan in September. State Senator Gene Davis and White will take that plan to the legislature to try to come up with political support.
