Streetcar Buildings

Columbus Railway Power & Light Co.
The Buildings

         A city streetcar system requires a substantial infrastructure to back up the trolley cars that show up in quaint old photographs. There is the track and overhead wire to maintain; streetcars to clean, repair, paint, and store when not in service; electricity to generate or purchase; and office space for the clerks maintaining the company records and counting the nickels collected by the conductors.
         In the case of CRP&L, there were ancillary lines of business at various times in their history. The company sold steam for heating downtown buildings and electricity to businesses, industry, and consumers. For short periods, the company sold electric appliances and owned an amusement park.
         The street railway system in Columbus had three overlapping eras. The horsecar era – 1863-1892, the electric streetcar era – 1888-1948, and the trolley coach era - 1933-1965. At the beginning (1863), multiple companies provided streetcar service. Eventually, these consolidated into one company. That one company’s name changed over the years. CRP&L was the name used from 1913-1937.

Background

Track Gauge – The CRP&L Co. had two track gauges, wide gauge – 5’ 2” – and standard gauge – 4’ 8 ½”. All but four lines were wide gauge. The four standard gauge lines were used by both interurbans and streetcars – Camp Chase, E. Mound Street, Summit to Worthington, and Steelton. There was one carhouse/shop, located on Merritt Street, that serviced standard gauge streetcars. CRP&L Co did not service the standard gauge interurbans.

There were two interurban lines, the Westerville line and the Gahanna line, that were wide gauge. The Westerville line was absorbed into the CRP&L Co. in 1901 and the Gahanna line in 1924.

Remnants – There are a few remnants of CRP&L Co. buildings still left around Columbus. The most notable is the Kelton Avenue shop buildings that have been renovated into the new East Market. To view remnant photos taken in 2007 click here. To view the new East Market head out to Kelton Avenue for lunch.