San Diego Trolley

The LRT system in San Diego is operated by San Diego Trolley Inc. (SDTI), a subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation System (MTS), a public agency. The San Diego Trolley consists of three routes, the Blue, Orange and Green lines. The Blue line provides service from Old Town San Diego through downtown south to the border with Mexico. The Green and Orange Line provide sevice between the suburbs northeast of San Diego and Old Town and downtown respectively. Some sections of the lines are shared. Vehicles: Siemens  U2,  Siemens  SD-100,  and Siemens  S70 Sources: Wikipedia,  The Toromto LRT Information Page,  nycsubway.org Rights of Way Most of the Blue and Orange Lines were originally freight railroad lines, and some sections are still used for this purpose during non-service trolley hours. The Green Line runs mostly parallel to Interstate 8 (I-8) and takes advantage of some of its rigths of way. Paralleling Freight Between Old Town and Downtown Sections of the Blue and Orange Lines between Old Town and Downtown San Diego run parallel to the BNSF freight lines. Near Convention Center Photo Source: nycsubway.org,  Author: © Richard Panse

Downtown Transit Mall and Mixed Traffic Sections The Blue and Orange Lines are interlined through C Street in downtown San Diego, where they are sometimes in a transit mall restricted to public transportation and somtimes on sections partially shared with automobiles for a few blocks. In these mixed sections the other traffic is restricted to its own single lane and is one-way only.
Blue/Orange Transit Mall at Fifth Avenue Photo Source: Wikipedia, Author: Track Legs	Blue/Orange Shared Traffic Section Near Park and Market Station Photo Source: nycsubway.org,  Author: © Richard Panse

Blue and Orange Lines Shared Freight Railroad Track Sections Most of the Blue and Orange Lines beyond downtown were originally freight lines of the San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway (SD&AE). In 1979 the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) bought this railway for use by the Trolley, but the tracks are still being used for freight during non-service trolley hours. The freight service is operated by short line railroads under contract with MTS.
Blue Line Near San Ysidro Transit Center Photo Source: The Toromto LRT Info. Page,  Author: © Calvin Henry-Cotnam	Orange Line at El Cajon Station Photo Source: The Toromto LRT Info. Page,  Author: © Calvin Henry-Cotnam

Green Line Elevated and Highway Side Sections Much of the Green Line route parallels Interstate 8 (I-8), sometimes on elevated sections and sometimes at ground level next to the highway.
Green Line Elevated Section Near Grantvile Station Photo Source: The Toromto LRT Info. Page,  Author: © Calvin Henry-Cotnam	Green Line Highway Side Section Near Alvarado Medical Center Photo Source: nycsubway.org,  Author: © Richard Panse

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