Collections : [University of Michigan Special Collections Research Center]

The Detroit Streetcar Collection documents the history of passenger rail transportation in the Detroit, Michigan metropolitan area during the late-19th century until the mid-20th century. The collection consists of photographs, correspondence, maps, articles, streetcar rosters and equipment reports, and newsletters. Photographs make up the majority of the collection and depict urban street scenes, streetcars in use and stationary streetcars, and route construction.

The Detroit Streetcar Collection documents the history of passenger rail transportation in the Detroit, Michigan metropolitan area. The collection consists of photographs, correspondence, maps, articles, streetcar rosters and equipment reports, and newsletters. Photographs make up the majority of the collection. The photographs include depictions of urban street scenes, streetcars in use, stationary streetcars, specialized equipment, constructions of rail lines and bridges, repair shops and train yards, and disassembly and former routes. Research contains materials documenting various streetcar types, equipment and parts, routes, timelines, and maps. Published materials include articles and newsletters, advertisements, and flyers and brochures.

The Detroit United Railway (DUR) and the Detroit Department of Street Railways (DSR) are the main transportation services depicted in the collection. Railroads spanning the state of Michigan are also represented in the collection, as are other forms of public transportation such as buses and trolleys.