SANTA CLARA VTA
HISTORIC TROLLEY No. 2001

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Page created December 16, 2007. Last updated May 3, 2023.
Š2007-2023 Michael Strauch. All rights reserved.

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Car 2001, built in 1928 for the Milan tramway system, was donated to the San Jose Trolley Corporation for restoration. A second car was purchased for spare parts and to convert 2001 to a double-end vehicle. Having a pantograph instead of trolley poles, it can travel outside the pole-equipped Civic Center to Convention Center zone historic trolleys normally ran. 2001 entered service October 13, 1992, and has become (by 2007) the only heritage car used on the last remnant of historic service, Civic Center to San Jose Diridon Station on Saturdays during December. Service was discontinued for the 2009 Christmas season because of budget cuts but returned in 2010. In 2012 the trolley operated Friday 6:30-10, Saturday and Sunday 1:30-10 on hourly headways, weather permitting, beginning December 7th. Following years' schedules are similar, usually after 2:30 on weekends. No service on any Friday, Saturday, or Sunday on which there is a Levi's Stadium event. The name of the service varies, such as Holly Trolley or Polar Express, and is free to the public.

In December 2018, Jewett 28 handled the holiday trolley service. There was no service in 2019, I believe because of budget issues. As of the holiday season 2020, when the pandemic started, VTA has not operated the 2001.

PHOTOS TAKEN IN 1995:

Car 2001 on summer historic trolley service at various points along the route (Convention Center turnback, San Carlos and South First Sts., and South First and Santa Clara Sts.) on June 8, 1995. Five photos added 06/19/09.

PHOTOS TAKEN IN 2006:

Car 2001 made an appearance for the 2006 APTA conference at the San Jose Convention Center. Photographs taken on San Carlos Street east of Convention Center Station on October 10, 2006. It was apparently operating the traditional Civic Center-Convention Center heritage trolley route.

PHOTOS TAKEN IN 2007:

Holiday historic trolley service for 2007: Car 2001 passes San Carlos St. and Woz Way under Highway 87 on December 15, 2007. It has exited the neutral ground (median) of San Carlos to enter the private right-of-way between Delmas and 87 on its way to San Jose Diridon Station.

Car 2001 on the private right-of-way rounds the curve at Delmas and San Carlos Sts. on December 15, 2007. It's heading back to the San Jose Transit Mall and Civic Center.

PHOTOS TAKEN IN 2008:

Car 2001 operating holiday service on December 27, 2008. Location is North Second and Julian Sts. Four photos added 06/19/09.

Car 2001 at North First and Taylor Sts. northbound and southbound on December 27, 2008. Five photos added 06/19/09.

PHOTOS TAKEN IN 2011:

Car 2001 turns from North First to Younger Sts. to lay over at the yard on December 31, 2011. Four photos added 05/10/12.

Car 2001 comes out of the yard and returns to downtown on December 31, 2012. Nine photos added 05/10/12.

Car 2001 (to Civic Center Station) at Delmas and Park Sts. on December 31, 2011. Two photos added 12/05/12.

Car 2001 (to Diridon Station) at El Paseo de San Antonio Station on December 31, 2011. Four photos added 12/05/12.

Car 2001 (to Civic Center Station) at El Paseo de San Antonio Station on December 31, 2011. Four photos added 12/05/12.

PHOTOS TAKEN IN 2012:

Car 2001 (to Diridon Station) as the Holly Trolley at San Carlos St. and the Guadalupe River Bridge on December 8, 2012. Twenty-four photos added 12/10/12.

Car 2001 (to Civic Center) on San Carlos St. between Market and South First Sts. on December 8, 2012. Thirty-seven photos added 12/10/12.

Car 2001 (to Diridon Station) at Second and San Fernando Sts. on December 8, 2012. Twenty-eight photos added 12/11/12.

Car 2001 (to Civic Center) at First and Santa Clara Sts. on December 8, 2012. Twenty-four photos added 12/11/12.

Car 2001 (to Diridon Station) at San Fernando and Delmas Sts. on the evening of December 8, 2012. Eight photos added 12/11/12.

Car 2001 (to Civic Center) at San Fernando and Delmas Sts. on the evening of December 8, 2012. Six photos added 12/11/12.

PHOTOS TAKEN IN 2013:

Car 2001 as the Holly Trolley on North Second St. at St. James Park on December 29, 2013. The car is headed southbound for San Jose Diridon Station. Eleven photos added 01/01/14.

Car 2001 at Second and Santa Clara Sts. on December 29, 2013. Three photos added 01/01/14.

Car 2001 at San Carlos St. and Woz Way on December 29, 2013. Twelve photos added 01/01/14.

PHOTOS TAKEN IN 2015:

Car 2001 as the Holly Trolley southbound at San Fernando and Delmas Sts. on Christmas night, December 25, 2015. Three photos added 11/29/17.

Car 2001 as the Holly Trolley northbound on the private right of way at Autumn St. on Christmas night, December 25, 2015. Three photos added 11/29/17.

PHOTOS TAKEN IN 2016:

This year, 2001 was operated as the Great Pumpkin Express during October and November. The trolley is southbound on North First St. on October 22, 2017. Five photos added 11/29/17.

Car 2001 entering the tunnel below San Jose Diridon Transit Center on October 22, 2016. Eleven photos added 11/29/17.

Car 2001 northbound on N. First St. on October 22, 2016. Two photos added 11/29/17.

PHOTOS TAKEN IN 2017:

"Polar Express" car 2001 in holiday trolley service southbound at Second and Santa Clara Sts. on the evening of December 3, 2017. Eight photos added 12/29/17.