FCMR History: The FCMR is Back!

A local volunteer group began restoring car 21 in 1977. The car was first moved to the old car barn on North Howes St. and carefully dismantled. While the restoration was taking place, the Fort Collins Municipal Railway Society organized in 1980 to complete the restoration and rebuild the original Mountain Ave. line to run Car 21. With help from many members and organizations, plus generous support from local businesses, the Society built a new two-stall barn on West Mountain Ave. and rebuilt most of the West Mountain Ave. line.

The first part of the rebuilding was completed by the end of 1984, allowing restored Car 21 to run once again to City Park. The rest of the line was completed over the following two summers and turned over to the City in August 1986. As long-time fan and Society member, Jim Stitzel, stated at the dedication ceremony: The Society restored a 1.5 mile long railway and historic streetcar valued at $2.5 million, and turned it all over to the City at no cost to the City or County. Since then, the Society has operated the car and maintained the railway at no cost to the City.

Car 21 has since carried almost 200,000 riders on the rebuilt Mountain Ave. line. The restoration work has won both local and national recognition. The Society remains an all-volunteer effort maintaining the line and operating the car on summer weekends and holidays.

Next: Bring Car 25 Back!