Fresno Traction Company

Fresno Traction Company operated electric trams in Fresno, California, from 1903 to 1939. Earlier horsecar tracks were improved and electrified under consolidated ownership which passed to Southern Pacific Transportation Company operation in 1910. A separate Fresno Interurban Railway shared some lines along Fresno city streets.

Preceding horsecar operations

After incorporation of the City of Fresno in 1885, the Fresno Street Railroad began operating horsecars in 1889 from H Street along Mariposa Street, K Street and Tulare Street to the east city limit. The street railway system was later extended to the south city limit along F Street, Santa Clara Avenue, C Street and Elm Avenue. The Fresno City, Belmont, and Yosemite Railroad was granted a separate charter to build a 20-pound T rail line to the north city limit along J Street, Tuolumne Street and O Street. The Fresno Railroad built a 20-pound T rail line along I street to the south city limit, and along Ventura Avenue to the Fresno County fairgrounds. The Fresno City Railway rebuilt these horsecar lines with 11.5 miles (18.5 km) of 61-pound rail in 1901 in preparation for heavier electric streetcars.

Electrification

The Fresno Traction Company was incorporated in 1903 authorized to build 196 miles (315 km) of electric railroads connecting Fresno to Selma, Trimmers Springs, Wawona, Central, and Washington Colonies. Electric operations commenced with three single truck Hammond cars purchased from the United Railroads of San Francisco, and five California cars built by W. L. Holman Car Company.