Tandy Center Subway

The Tandy Center Subway, also originally known as Leonard's M&O Subway was a privately-owned subway line that operated between the Tandy Center (today known as City Place) and four remote parking lots between February 15, 1963 and August 30, 2002.

History

The Tandy Center Subway was originally planned as a light rail shuttle for Leonard's Department Store on the edge of downtown Fort Worth, using a total of 15 PCC streetcars from the DC Transit System in Washington, DC, built between the 1930s and 1940s. At its opening, it was named the Leonard's M&O Subway, a name held until 1967.

In 1967, the Tandy Corporation purchased the department store, its parking lots and the subway. Later, the Tandy Corporation razed the department store, and built its headquarters and a shopping mall at the base of the center, while retaining the subway. By 1978, the cars were rebodied, although keeping the original chassis and electrical and running equipment. The new image of the vehicles were boxier in nature, looking nothing like they had previously.

In 1995, the mall business declined, and on August 30, 2002, the Tandy Center Subway ceased operation.

Following the closure, one streetcar was purchased by the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority of Dallas, which operated the car on its heritage streetcar line until the mid-2000s. As of 2012, it is in storage.

Also, in April 1982, the first car to run the line in 1963, named "Leonard's Number 1", was saved from being dismantled by a Tandy Computer programmer and put into storage for at least 25 years. It was then donated to the Leonard's Museum in 2007. Some other cars went to North Texas Historical Transportation in Forth Worth.

At it's period of operation, the Tandy Center Subway was the only known privately owned subway in the United States.

Operating fleet

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Fleet number(s)	Thumbnail	Year	Manufacturer	Model	Motors	Notes
Unknown numbers		1930s-1940s	St. Louis Car Company	PCC		Total of 15 cars, previously DC Transit System. Some cars also from MBTA or Boston Street Railway, known cars include 3164, 3168, 3177-3178, 3196 (MBTA). One car to McKinney Avenue Transportation Authority in mid-late 2000s. Numbered "4", it is also referred to by the name "Winnie", likely referring to the later rebuild appearance, of a Winnebago. "Leonard's Number 1" to private person, then to Leonard's Museum. Some cars to North Texas Historic Transportation, most scrapped, with exception of one.

Further reading

• NY Subway Resources - Fort Worth, TX
• Jon Bell - Fort Worth, Texas: Tandy Subway
• Wikipedia article: Tandy Center Subway
• You Tube - 20020812 FTW Tandy Subway's Last Days.wmv