{{short description|Routing of a railroad track directly on public streets}} {{Redirect|Street running||parkour|and|road running}} {{distinguish|road train|trackless train}} {{Multiple issues| {{Primary sources|date=January 2021}}{{Unreliable sources|date=October 2021}}{{Original research|date=April 2022}} }} [[File:MBTA Green Line Type 8 trains at Riverway station March 2025.jpg|thumb|right|Green Line E branch trains street-running along Huntington Avenue at Riverway station in Boston in 2025]] A '''street-running train''' is a train that runs on a track built on public streets. The rails are embedded in the roadway, and the train shares the street with other users, such as pedestrians, cars and cyclists, thus often being referred to as running in '''mixed traffic'''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Currie |first1=Graham |last2=Reynolds |first2=James |date=January 2010 |title=Vehicle and Pedestrian Safety at Light Rail Stops in Mixed Traffic |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3141/2146-04 |journal=Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board |language=en |volume=2146 |issue=1 |pages=26–34 |doi=10.3141/2146-04 |issn=0361-1981 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=2024-07-14 |access-date=2024-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714120830/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3141/2146-04 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Trams and, less frequently, light rail trains run on streets.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Streetcars vs LRT |url=http://www.edmonton-radial-railway.ab.ca/learn/streetcarsversuslrt/ |access-date=14 July 2024 |website=Edmonton Radial Railway Society |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404023632/http://www.edmonton-radial-railway.ab.ca/learn/streetcarsversuslrt/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Street-running trains travel more slowly than trains on dedicated rights-of-way and can be delayed by motor vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Studenkov |first=Igor |date=2021-05-14 |title=Goodbye street-running South Shore service in Michigan City, hello double-tracking |url=https://chi.streetsblog.org/2021/05/14/goodbye-street-running-south-shore-service-in-michigan-city-hello-double-tracking/ |access-date=2023-01-01 |website=Streetsblog Chicago |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101032240/https://chi.streetsblog.org/2021/05/14/goodbye-street-running-south-shore-service-in-michigan-city-hello-double-tracking/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Stations on such routes are rare and may appear similar in style to a tram stop, but often lack platforms, pedestrian islands, or other amenities. In some cases, passengers may wait on a distant sidewalk, then board or disembark by crossing the traffic. == Examples == The following list is non-inclusive of tram and light rail systems and is otherwise non-exhaustive.<!-- Don't bother adding unreferenced examples; this list is non-exhaustive. -->
=== Argentina === [[File:Puente Salto Grande.jpg|thumb|Salto Grande Bridge over the dam]] * Buenos Aires: in the past, street-running trains ran through the city streets.<ref>[https://buenosaireshistoria.org/juntas/ferrocarilles-en-la-ciudad-los-trenes-por-las-calles/] {{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> Trains run by Villa 21-24.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 August 2012 |title=Music keeps Argentine kids in school |url=https://blogs.dw.com/generationchange/index.html%3Fp=2425.html |access-date=14 July 2024 |website=Deutsche Welle}}</ref>
=== Australia === Operational instances:
* Maryborough, Queensland: Kent Street<ref> Light Railways issue 295 p32 </ref> 610mm gauge * Mossman, Queensland: A narrow-gauge sugar-cane railway runs down Mill Street. *Rockhampton, Queensland: The North Coast main line runs down Denison Street, double track line singled in 1996.{{efn|Street running railroad on Denison Street in Rockhampton, Queensland {{coord|-23.376492|150.507336|scale:500}}}}<ref>"North Coast Line Infrastructure." ''Railway Digest'' August 1996 page 11</ref> *Wycheproof, Victoria: The Sea Lake railway line runs down the wide median strip of the town's main street.
Historical instances:
*Nambour, Queensland: The Moreton Central Sugar Mill Cane Tramway ran down Mill Street, was also street running on a bridge at Bli Bli, closed 2003.<ref>"Last Cane Train at Moreton Sugar Mill." ''Light Railways'' issue 175 January 2004 page 20</ref> The rails in the street remained in place and a tourist tram is planned on it.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/ |title=Friday 14 May 2021 |access-date=14 December 2022 |archive-date=2 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202163010/https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=25 May 2021 |title=Nambour celebrates tram design and Terminus opening |url=https://sunshinevalleygazette.com.au/blog/nambour-celebrates-tram-design-and-terminus-opening |access-date=14 December 2022 |archive-date=14 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214120134/https://www.sunshinevalleygazette.com.au/blog/nambour-celebrates-tram-design-and-terminus-opening |url-status=live }}</ref> *Port Pirie, South Australia: The Adelaide-Port Augusta railway line ran down the centre of Ellen Street until 1967.<ref>"Port Pirie's Famous Streetside Station Closes for Passenger Business." ''Railway Transportation'' September 1967 page 34</ref> *Yass, New South Wales: The Yass Tramway from Yass Junction to Yass Town ran down Dutton Street, closed 1988.<ref>"Still standing…" ''Track & Signal'' November 2012 page 77</ref> The route is no longer connected, but the tracks in Dutton Street and by the station are still present and are on the heritage list.
=== Canada === Notable examples in Canada include:<ref name="TrainsApr2008">{{Cite magazine |last=Isaacs |first=Aaron |date=April 2008 |title=Railroads in the Streets |magazine=Trains Magazine |pages=22-31 |volume=68 |issue=4}} </ref> * Port Hope, Ontario: from Walton Street, along Ontario Street to the Ganaraska River, where it split off and followed the river north out of the city limits, eventually reaching Midland, Ontario with a branch line to Peterborough, Ontario. Lots of railway facilities still exist. The old station is opposite the corner of Walton Street and Ontario, with the old station master's office just south of that along Lent Lane, which is the old track bed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Longwell |first1=Karen |title=Throwback Thursday: Railway through downtown Port Hope |url=https://www.northumberlandnews.com/news/throwback-thursday-railway-through-downtown-port-hope/article_5496a674-9c13-520c-9e67-1c097989aefc.html |website=NorthumberlandNews.com |date=August 7, 2014 |access-date=August 20, 2023 |archive-date=August 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820150917/https://www.northumberlandnews.com/news/throwback-thursday-railway-through-downtown-port-hope/article_5496a674-9c13-520c-9e67-1c097989aefc.html |url-status=live }}</ref> * Oshawa, Ontario: from Michael Starr trail (near Court Street) along Bruce Street, east to Ritson Road, then north on Ritson Road to the GM North Plant. (removed) * Brantford, Ontario: right turn lane of Clarence Street at Colborne Street (formerly Canadian National Railway; now Southern Ontario Railway, still in use) * St. Catharines, Ontario:{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}} ** Ontario Street (removed) (to the disappeared car factory) (continues to Louisa St.) (diagonal between the houses) (former track partly still visible from the air) ** Louisa Street (From just east of Thomas Street to Catherine Street, Canadian National Railway, originally Niagara St. Catharines Toronto Railway. Electric interurban (branch from Port Dalhousie-west) (until 1959) removed, continues to Welland Avenue below) ** Welland Avenue (From Francis Street to Balfour Street, removed) (continues to Niagara St.) ** Raymond Street (depot only) ** Niagara Street (continues to Facer St.) ** Facer Street (branch to Niagara-on-the-Lake) ** Electric interurban network to Port Dalhousie-west, Port Dalhousie-east, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Port Colborne, and Niagara Falls. All tracks on the streets are removed in all places, except(?) Pine Street in Thorold. Freight trains with diesel engines on the streets only from 1959 to the closing in about 2005. ** St. Catharines was the center of the Niagara St. Catharines Toronto Railway. * Waterloo, Ontario: Caroline Street from Erb Street West to Allen Street West, CP Rail tracks removed in 1994. Later reinstalled for ION light rail, in service again as of 2019. The former railway is now a trail.
=== Croatia === * Rijeka, freight trains (and occasional passenger trains) run from western to eastern cargo terminal of Port of Rijeka through the city centre.<ref>{{cite news|last= Brkljača|first= Maja|date= June 7, 2018|title= Traffic Collapse Due to Station Refurbishment; All Trains to Go Through City Centre|url= https://rijecanin.rtl.hr/video-rijecane-ocekuje-prometni-kolaps-zbog-preuredenja-kolodvora-na-brajdici-svi-vlakovi-ici-ce-kroz-strogi-centar/|newspaper= RTL Group|archive-date= October 6, 2019|access-date= October 6, 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191006192108/https://rijecanin.rtl.hr/video-rijecane-ocekuje-prometni-kolaps-zbog-preuredenja-kolodvora-na-brajdici-svi-vlakovi-ici-ce-kroz-strogi-centar/|url-status= live}}</ref>
=== Czechia === * Brno: the railway line that connects Brno Exhibition Centre and mainline runs about {{cvt|2|km|spell=in}}. along Poříčí street. Touristic (steam) trains run on the Highway, with police escorts.<ref>{{Citation|title=24. 6. 2017 - Brno dopravní nostalgie| date=26 June 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbDrPWWb-CE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/KbDrPWWb-CE |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-03-19|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:NOTRS).|date=May 2026}} The line was abandoned in 2022.
=== Germany === For tramways the legal separation of a street running trackbed and an exclusive trackbed in urban traffic is given in § 16 BOStrab tramway regulations. Germany has some street-running railways: [[Image:Bad Doberan Molli (02) 2006-09-24.JPG|thumb|right|A "Mollibahn" train running through Bad Doberan, Germany]]
*A freight branch of the Main-Neckar Railway features some street running sections in Darmstadt. The line is no longer in regular use, but a short dual gauge section (Kirschen Allee)(Evonik) was until 2015 connected to the metre gauge Darmstadt tram network allowed old trams to be loaded onto mainline vehicles for export.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.walter-kuhl.de/fabrikviertel/gleise/fabrik_b.htm|title=Das Industriestammgleis "B"|website=Industriegleise im Fabrikviertel Darmstadt|author=Walter Kuhl|access-date=14 July 2021|archive-date=14 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714114845/https://www.walter-kuhl.de/fabrikviertel/gleise/fabrik_b.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> *The access track that connects the mainline to Bombardier factory in Bautzen passes through a short section of street running at Fabrikstrasse.
=== Hong Kong === The KCR British Section had two street running stretches: a spur line to Whampoa Dockyard through {{Ill|Baker Street, Kowloon|lt=Baker Street|zh|%E5%BF%85%E5%98%89%E8%A1%97}},<ref>{{cite web | url=https://gwulo.com/media/38144 | title=Hung Hom-KCR tracks to dockyard via Baker Street-bottom left -behind the bus | Gwulo | access-date=2022-10-01 | archive-date=2022-10-01 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001154954/https://gwulo.com/media/38144 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://industrialhistoryhk.org/kcr-whampoa-railway-siding/ | title=KCR Whampoa Railway Siding – the Industrial History of Hong Kong Group | access-date=2022-10-08 | archive-date=2022-10-08 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008071439/https://industrialhistoryhk.org/kcr-whampoa-railway-siding/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://industrialhistoryhk.org/kowloon-whampoa-dockyards-occupation-1942-45/ | title=Kowloon (HK & Whampoa) Dockyards during the Occupation 1942-45 – the Industrial History of Hong Kong Group | access-date=2022-10-08 | archive-date=2022-10-08 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008071454/https://industrialhistoryhk.org/kowloon-whampoa-dockyards-occupation-1942-45/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://gwulo.com/media/37108?link=https://gwulo.com/node/50588 | title=KCR-Kowloon-Docks- Rail-Link | Gwulo }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://gwulo.com/media/37107 | title=Plan of HK & Whampoa Dockyard 1949 | Gwulo | access-date=2022-10-08 | archive-date=2022-10-08 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008071437/https://gwulo.com/media/37107 | url-status=live }}</ref> another across Salisbury Road and Canton Road to the Kowloon Godowns.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}
=== Indonesia === thumb|Train along Jalan Slamet Riyadi, Solo, IndonesiaHistorically, Indonesia used to have many street running lines. Those were mostly found on the rural tramlines in Java. The former network of smaller railway companies, such as Samarang–Joana Stoomtram Maatschappij, Oost-Java Stoomtram Maatschappij, Serajoedal Stoomtram Maatschappij, or rural branchline of the major company like Staatsspoorwegen were often built next to the main road to save cost and later became street running when the road widened.
By the late 1970s, the majority of them were closed. The last of the classic street running line that saw operation was the Madiun-Ponorogo branchline which closed around 1984.<ref>{{Citation |last=Bingley Hall |title=Another day, another B50 |date=1978-08-03 |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/markcarter/26524460536/ |access-date=2026-01-03 |archive-date=2026-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260112032307/https://www.flickr.com/photos/markcarter/26524460536/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw5up51w4OA |title=Madiun - Ponorogo Sharp Stewart B50 2-4-0 in 1983 |date=2015-01-25 |last=John Raby |access-date=2026-01-03 |via=YouTube |archive-date=2025-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251015051902/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw5up51w4OA&feature=youtu.be |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ9u2CaNv1M |title=PNKA Power Parade Final Fling Part 1 |date=2017-06-30 |last=John Raby |access-date=2026-01-03 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
Only three of them survive in the present day: *Madiun, East Java. The Pertamina branch line which passes the Jalan Yos Sudarso in front of INKA factory. The line branched off to the west of Madiun railway station, where the train need to reverse to its destination 500 meters down the road.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiT5h_2UH1M |title=Street Running Line in Madiun |date=2017-12-29 |last=Bagus Widyanto |access-date=2025-08-14 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Yuda |first=Purwata |title=Langsiran KA BBM di Jalan Yos Sudarso, Madiun |date=2024-08-17 |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188871871@N07/54148723960/ |access-date=2025-08-14}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:NOTRS).|date=May 2026}} *Malang, East Java. The Pertamina branch line which diverges from Malang Kotalama station. The short street running section runs to the east of Jalan Halmahera, between the junction with Jalan Tanimbar and Jalan Bingkil.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4hpshc9iMo |title=LEWAT BEKAS JALUR TRAM !! LOKOMOTIF VINTAGE LANGSIR RANGKAIAN KA BBM PERTAMINA DI MALANG |date=2024-02-13 |last=Aldyan Fanindya N |access-date=2025-08-14 |via=YouTube}}</ref> {{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:NOTRS).|date=May 2026}} *Surakarta, Central Java: The Solo Purwosari to Wonogiri line runs along Jalan Slamet Riyadi through the center of Surakarta. The Batara Kresna Railbus service between Solo Purwosari and Wonogiri, operates along the line, with two trips in each direction. A special charter-only tourist steam train called the Sepur Kluthuk Jaladara also runs along this stretch of the line between Solo Purwosari and Solo Kota stations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://surakarta.go.id/?p=24736|title=Hanya di Kota Solo, Kereta Melintas di Jalan Raya; Tahu Kenapa? (Only in Solo City train run along the road. Do you know why?)|website=Dinas Komunikasi, Informatika, Statistik dan Persandian Kota Surakarta|author=|access-date=23 June 2023|archive-date=18 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418135318/https://surakarta.go.id/?p=24736|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.detik.com/berita-jawa-tengah/d-5346316/menyusuri-sejarah-rel-kereta-di-sepanjang-jalan-slamet-riyadi-solo|title=Menyusuri Sejarah Rel Kereta di Sepanjang Jalan Slamet Riyadi Solo|website=news.detik.com|author=Bayu Ardi Isnanto|access-date=23 June 2023|date=2021-01-24|trans-title=Exploring the History of the Railway along Jalan Slamet Riyadi Solo|archive-date=2023-06-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623090712/https://news.detik.com/berita-jawa-tengah/d-5346316/menyusuri-sejarah-rel-kereta-di-sepanjang-jalan-slamet-riyadi-solo|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Ireland === thumb|Train and road traffic on Clontarf Bridge, Cork in 1975 * Cork City Railways from 1911 had street-running goods trains between Albert Quay station and Glanmire Road station, authorised by the local act of Parliament incorporating the railway.<ref>[https://books.google.ie/books?id=dlY1AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA64 Cork City Railways Act 1906 {{bracket|6 Ed. 7 c. clxxiii}} ss. 7]–10</ref> The stations were on opposite sides of the River Lee, which the railway crossed via two bridges shared with road traffic.<ref name="Ferris2008"/> The rail speed limit was {{convert|5|mph}}.<ref name="Ferris2008">{{cite book |last1=Ferris |first1=Tom |title=Irish railways : a new history |date=2008 |publisher=Gill & Macmillan |location=Dublin |isbn=978-0-7171-4291-0 |page=140 |url=https://archive.org/details/irishrailwaysnew0000ferr/page/140}}</ref> The line was closed in 1976 because of the increase in road traffic.<ref>{{multiref| {{cite web |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=T. J. |author1-link=Thomas J. Fitzpatrick (Dublin politician) |title=Transport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 1979: Second and Subsequent Stages |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1979-07-04/5/ |website=Dáil Éireann (21st Dáil) |publisher=Oireachtas |access-date=21 August 2025 |language=en-ie |date=4 July 1979}}| {{cite web |title=Transport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1979 |url=https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1979/act/18/enacted/en/html |website=electronic Irish Statute Book |publisher=Attorney General of Ireland |access-date=21 August 2025 |language=en |date=16 July 1979}} }}</ref>
=== Italy === [[Image:TiranoBerninabahn04.jpg|thumb|A Berninabahn train crossing the main square in Tirano]] * Genoa–Casella railway in Casella * Bernina railway line in Tirano * Ferrovia Circumetnea in Catania (discontinued in 1999)
=== Japan === * The Keihan Keishin, Enoden Enoshima, and Ishiyama-Sakamoto lines have street running sections.{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}}
=== Laos === * The rail link across the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge over the Mekong River between Thailand and Laos is shared-use, although road traffic stops while trains cross the bridge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seat61.com/Laos.htm|title=How to travel by train, bus & boat to & within Laos - Bangkok-Vientiane by train|website=Seat61.com|access-date=2018-03-06|archive-date=2014-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325025737/http://www.seat61.com/Laos.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== New Zealand === [[File:BOI-VR_kawakawa.jpg|thumb|right|Street running in Kawakawa]]
* Kawakawa : The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway, part of the former Opua Branch of the New Zealand Railways, runs down the middle of State Highway 1 in the centre of Kawakawa.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bayofislandsvintagerailway.org.nz/ |title=Welcome to the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway |access-date=2016-10-15 |archive-date=2016-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024062103/http://www.bayofislandsvintagerailway.org.nz/ |url-status=live }}</ref> * Hindon : The Taieri Gorge Railway, part of the former Otago Central Railway runs down the middle of a one-lane road bridge in Hindon. These tourist passenger trains have the right of way, with only signs warning motorists of trains.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dorn |first1=Lori |title=A One-Lane Bridge in Hindon, New Zealand That Is Shared by Cars and Trains Without Any Traffic Lights |url=https://laughingsquid.com/one-lane-bridge-shared-by-cars-and-trains/ |website=Laughing Squid |access-date=17 July 2020 |date=11 June 2019 |archive-date=17 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717000301/https://laughingsquid.com/one-lane-bridge-shared-by-cars-and-trains/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Poland === * Kołobrzeg : The Port of Kołobrzeg has railway access through approximately 750 meters of street-running tracks. The route sees semi-regular freight traffic, along with a yearly passenger excursion.{{fact|date=May 2024}} * Luboń : An industrial track connects to the Wrocław-Poznań mainline to a fertilizer factory owned by Luvena S.A. in Luboń. It runs 180 meters through the Romana Maya street along with the 66-meter road bridge on the old riverbeds of the Warta River. The industrial track was built in 1907 along with the bridge, factory and the river port while the town was under German rule. The bridge parts from the 86-meter bridge were built by the royal steelworks in Chorzów, with individual parts being connected with rivets. The bridge was refurbished and repaired throughout the years until Luvena decided to replace it with the newer wider bridge made by Gotowski BKiP Sp. z o.o. from Bydgoszcz that got replaced in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bazakolejowa.pl/index.php?dzial=bocznice&id=2399&oid=0&ed=0&okno=galeria|title=Ogólnopolska Baza Kolejowa|language=Polish| website=Bazakolejowa.pl}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:NOTRS).|date=May 2026}}
=== Switzerland === Swiss law does not distinguish between trams and railways, making the distinction between street running by trams and that by railways legally indistinct. In many places, passenger trains run on the streets because there is no room for their own track.
* Zürich : {{Convert|1000|t|adj=on}} grain trains make up to 4 journeys a day between Bahnhof Hardbrücke and the Swissmill Tower on Sihlquai, following a {{Convert|2|km|adj=on}} route along Zahnradstrasse, Hardstrasse and Zöllystrasse, including a tram crossing. The driver controls traffic lights manually.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nzz.ch/zuerich/und-taeglich-gruesst-der-gueterzug-1.18637961 |title=Spektakel in Zürich-West: Und täglich grüsst der Güterzug - NZZ Zürich |website=Nzz.ch |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031121421/http://www.nzz.ch/zuerich/und-taeglich-gruesst-der-gueterzug-1.18637961 |archive-date=2015-10-31}}</ref>
=== United Kingdom === [[File:5643 on the swing bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1697655.jpg|thumb|upright|right|The combined road and rail swing bridge at Preston Marina]]
Street running railways have been much rarer in the United Kingdom than elsewhere. This is due to 19th-century laws requiring railways to be enclosed by fences, which had the consequence that railways could not be built along existing roads and had to use their own rights of way. In cases where street running was unavoidable, the roads were often legally treated as level crossings with trains and road vehicles not permitted to use them at the same time. Some examples are:
* Weymouth: The most notable street running track was the Weymouth Harbour Tramway (despite the name, it was never used for trams and was a heavy-rail route); however this ended service to regular traffic since 1987, and to all traffic since 1999, with track removal starting in 2020. * Porthmadog: The Porthmadog cross town link links the narrow-gauge Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog railways and includes 50 metres of street running over the Britannia Bridge in Porthmadog.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/welsh/hi/newsid_9140000/newsid_9142100/9142126.stm| title=Taith gyntaf teithwyr trên bach o Gaernarfon i Borthmadog| language=cy| work=BBC Online| first=Merfyn| last=Davies| date=30 October 2010| access-date=26 May 2011| archive-date=6 March 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306124105/http://news.bbc.co.uk/welsh/hi/newsid_9140000/newsid_9142100/9142126.stm| url-status=live}}</ref> The section that runs along a street is closed to road traffic by alternating red stop lights, as if it were an extended level crossing. * Trafford Park: The Trafford Park Railway was a freight-only street-running railway network was through Trafford Park; only one section alongside Barton Dock Road has seen use in recent years.{{when|date=February 2022}} This branch is abandoned and partially removed.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} * Preston: The heritage Ribble Steam Railway runs across a swing bridge at the entrance to Preston Marina. The bridge is used by both road and rail traffic, but closed by barriers to road traffic when a train is crossing. * Fivemiletown and Caledon, County Tyrone in Northern Ireland: the narrow gauge Clogher Valley Railway (closed 1942) had street running through both of these villages.
=== United States === [[File:CCH 3348 Broadway9thst 2254.jpg|thumb|Columbus & Chattahoochee Railroad running on 9th Street in downtown Columbus, Georgia]] [[File:Amtrak_train_in_Jack_London_Square.jpg|thumb|An Amtrak train running through Jack London Square in Oakland, California]] A selection of the many examples:
==== Alabama ==== * Gadsden: Locust Street, between N1 Street and N6 Street.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://geekalabama.com/2021/04/23/trainscapes-street-running-train-in-gadsden-alabama/. | title=Trainscapes: Street Running Train in Gadsden, Alabama | date=23 April 2021 | website=Geek Alabama | last=Young | first=Nathan | access-date=10 April 2025 | archive-date=10 April 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250410222052/https://geekalabama.com/2021/04/23/trainscapes-street-running-train-in-gadsden-alabama/ | url-status=live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:SPS).|date=May 2026}}
==== Alaska ==== * Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel: A {{Convert|2.5|mi|km|adj=on}} one-lane tunnel.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://whittieralaska.gov/tunnel/ | title=Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel | date=13 November 2019 |website=Whittieralaska.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250325220711/https://whittieralaska.gov/tunnel/|archive-date=2025-03-25}}</ref> * Skagway: Unofficial government allows railroad tracks up Broadway in 1898. They were shifted in 1947.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://skagway.com/plan-your-trip/about-the-area/history/. | title=History Complete | Skagway, Alaska | website=Skagway.com | access-date=2023-02-06 | archive-date=2023-02-06 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206084527/https://www.skagway.com/plan-your-trip/about-the-area/history/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
==== California ==== * Anaheim: Santa Ana Street<ref>{{cite news |last1=Haddad |first1=Paul |title=LAist City Treks: Get A Taste Of What Anaheim Was Like Before Disneyland On This 3-Mile Walk |url=https://laist.com/news/los-angeles-activities/laist-city-treks-anaheim-disneyland-hike |access-date=15 July 2024 |agency=LAist |date=June 1, 2024}}</ref> — Union Pacific Santa Ana Branch * Oakland: Embarcadero West, Union Pacific Niles Subdivision between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Webster Street; the only double street running train track in the USA; the only Amtrak street running trackage in the USA; freight trains also run here; third track is no longer in use.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://history.amtrak.com/archives/street-running-in-oakland-calif.-2015|title="Street running" in Oakland, Calif., 2015.|website=history.amtrak.com|access-date=2023-02-05|archive-date=2023-02-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205182853/https://history.amtrak.com/archives/street-running-in-oakland-calif.-2015/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==== Colorado ==== * Fort Collins<ref name="TrainsApr2008" />: Mason Street. This railway opened in 1877, but 100 years later the city wanted the line diverted around the city. Instead, the train was given a free lane in the street.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.coloradoan.com/story/life/2019/07/22/fort-collins-old-town-trains-burlington-northern/1745928001/|title=Fort Collins came thiiiiis close to getting rid of its Old Town trains in the 1980s|first=Erin|last=Udell|website=Fort Collins Coloradoan|date=2019-07-22|access-date=2023-03-09|archive-date=2023-03-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309182129/https://www.coloradoan.com/story/life/2019/07/22/fort-collins-old-town-trains-burlington-northern/1745928001/|url-status=live}}</ref> One train can be 5 km. long, waiting times for other traffic can be up to 30 minutes, and each train must use the horn more than 40 times within three minutes.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://fcgov.com/pdt/train-information | title=Train Information || Planning, Development, Transportation | access-date=2024-04-27 | archive-date=2024-04-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419081023/https://www.fcgov.com/pdt/train-information | url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Florida ==== * Clearwater: N East Ave.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cotey |first=Angela |date=2020-10-19 |title=Clearwater, Florida |url=https://trains.com/tm/railroads/hotspots/clearwater-florida/ |access-date=2026-05-17 |website=Trains Magazine |archive-date=2023-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309192024/https://www.trains.com/trn/railroads/hotspots/clearwater-florida/ |url-status=live }}</ref> * Tampa: E Polk street.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://agreatbigcity.com/2014/08/06/watch-this-freight-train-drive-straight-through-town|title=Watch This Freight Train Drive Straight Through Town|website=agreatbigcity.com|date=6 August 2014|access-date=6 February 2023|archive-date=6 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206150919/https://agreatbigcity.com/2014/08/06/watch-this-freight-train-drive-straight-through-town|url-status=live}}</ref>
==== Illinois ==== * Rockford: Madison Street.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://history.rockfordpubliclibrary.org/localhistory/?p=11136 | title=Kenosha Rockford Railroad | date=4 November 2014 |website=history.rockfordpubliclibrary.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207083810/https://history.rockfordpubliclibrary.org/localhistory/?p=11136|archive-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> ====Indiana====
*Terre Haute: 1st Street CSX (ex New York Central)<ref name="TrainsApr2008"/> *Elwood: 4 blocks of C Street Norfolk Southern{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}} *Warsaw: 2 blocks of Hickory Street Norfolk Southern{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}} ====Iowa====
*Bellevue<ref name="TrainsApr2008"/>
==== Kansas ==== * Salina: 4th Street - Union Pacific operates an industrial branch line which runs within the 4th Street right-of-way{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}}
==== Kentucky ==== * La Grange: CSX mainline Main Street - Oldham County Courthouse Square.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scheen |first=Lexy |date=2014-09-21 |title=Small Town Sunday: LaGrange, Kentucky (Part 2) |url=https://www.wlky.com/article/small-town-sunday-lagrange-kentucky-part-2/3752580 |access-date=2026-05-18 |website=WLKY |language=en |archive-date=2021-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920003638/https://www.wlky.com/article/small-town-sunday-lagrange-kentucky-part-2/3752580 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Louisiana ==== * Gretna: Madison Street.<ref>[https://jimbaux.com/2012/08/28/nogc-28-aug-2017/] {{Dead link|date=November 2024|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
==== Massachusetts ==== * Boston: Union Freight Railroad, running along Atlantic Avenue (demolished after 1970)<ref name="Kyper">{{cite book|last1=Kyper|first1=Frank|title=The railroad that came out at night : a book of railroading in and around Boston|date=1977|publisher=S. Greene Press|location=Brattleboro, Vt.|isbn=0-8289-0318-2|pages=13–40}}</ref> * Holyoke: Holyoke and Westfield Railroad, branch running along Water Street in use, other lines demolished or separated.<ref>*{{cite web |date=March 7, 2014 |title=City of Holyoke's Railroad, Part III |url=http://holyokemass.com/2014/03/07/city-of-holyokes-railroad-part-iii/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305173304/http://holyokemass.com/2014/03/07/city-of-holyokes-railroad-part-iii/ |archive-date=March 5, 2017 |website=HolyokeMass.com}}</ref>
==== Minnesota ==== *International Falls: Fort Frances–International Falls International Bridge connects to Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada. There is no connection to the Canadian rail network through this bridge. No trains use the bridge since the paper mill closed in 2014. The municipality is still hoping the mill will be purchased by another company.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rinne |first=Gary |date=2019-10-25 |title=Clock ticks down as Fort Frances reaches out for buyers for paper mill |url=https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/clock-ticks-down-as-fort-frances-reaches-out-for-buyers-for-paper-mill-1769760 |access-date=2026-05-17 |website=TBNewsWatch.com |language=en |archive-date=2020-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024010924/https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/clock-ticks-down-as-fort-frances-reaches-out-for-buyers-for-paper-mill-1769760 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source doesn't mention the bridge.|date=May 2026}} * Shakopee: 2nd Avenue East and West, Union Pacific Railroad main line of the Mankato Subdivision still in use, former Chicago and Northwestern Railway (Omaha Road)<ref>[https://mn.gov/law-library-stat/archive/ctappub/0005/c1991722.htm State of Minnesota in Court of Appeals C1-99-1722] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005151311/https://mn.gov/law-library-stat/archive/ctappub/0005/c1991722.htm |date=2022-10-05 }} In the Matter of the Speed Limit for the Union Pacific Railroad through the City of Shakopee, State of Minnesota. Filed May 16, 2000</ref> ====Missouri====
*St. Louis: 2nd Street Manufacturers Railway<ref name="TrainsApr2008"/>
==== New Jersey ==== * Garfield: Monroe Street. Abandoned in 2020.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://railpace.com/moving-out-farewell-dundee-spur/. | title=Moving Out: Farewell to the Dundee Spur | date=December 2020 | website=RailPace News Magazine | last=Perelman | first=Carl G. | access-date=2023-02-07 | archive-date=2023-02-07 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207124926/https://railpace.com/moving-out-farewell-dundee-spur/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
==== New York ==== [[File:Street Running, Schuyler Street Utica New York.jpg|thumb|NYSW train with a CSX GP38-2 locomotive in Utica, New York.]] * Utica: Schuyler Street, operated by the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://lite987.com/railroad-watch-tower-in-utica/. | title=Do You Know About the 'Watch Tower' in Utica? | date=29 September 2016 | website=Lite 98.7 | last=Lynn | first=Naomi | access-date=9 February 2023 | archive-date=9 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209095816/https://lite987.com/railroad-watch-tower-in-utica/ | url-status=live }}</ref> ====North Carolina==== *Fayetteville: Hillsboro St.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Dec 9, 2024 |title=Raleigh and Fayetteville Railroad |url=https://railroadfan.com/wiki/index.php/Raleigh_and_Fayetteville_Railroad |website=railroadfan.com |access-date=December 9, 2024 |archive-date=December 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209171113/https://railroadfan.com/wiki/index.php/Raleigh_and_Fayetteville_Railroad |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:UGC).|date=May 2026}}
==== Oregon ==== * Hillsboro: Adams Street<ref name="Burkhardt-p31">{{cite book |last1=Burkhardt |first1=D.C. Jesse |title=Railroads of Hillsboro |date=2014 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-1-4671-3236-7 |page=112 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zNyRBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA112}}</ref> * Salem: Front Street NE.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trainedeyenw.com/street-running.html|title=Street Running|website=trainedeyenw.com|access-date=2023-02-07|archive-date=2023-02-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207134528/https://trainedeyenw.com/street-running.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==== Pennsylvania ==== * Erie: The Nickel Plate Railroad laid tracks on East 19th Street in 1882 despite community pushback. The tracks were abandoned in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eriereader.com/article/from-rails-to-riches-the-eastside-opportunity-corridor|title=From Rails to Riches: The Eastside Opportunity Corridor|date=2016-11-23|website=Erie Reader|last=Speggen|first=Ben|access-date=2023-04-27|archive-date=2023-02-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217114732/https://www.eriereader.com/article/from-rails-to-riches-the-eastside-opportunity-corridor|url-status=live}}</ref> * Uniontown: Beeson Blvd from West Penn St. to Library Pl. - Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad, trackage abandoned 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stb.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/WEBUNID/020F5F2229489B0885258084005068E1?OpenDocument|title=12/09/2016 - Decision - 45571|website=Stb.gov|access-date=2017-01-04|archive-date=2017-01-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104163804/https://www.stb.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/WEBUNID/020F5F2229489B0885258084005068E1?OpenDocument|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/12/06/2016-29241/southwest-pennsylvania-railroad-company-abandonment-exemption-in-fayette-county-pa|title=Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad Company-Abandonment Exemption-in Fayette County, Pa.|date=6 December 2016|website=Federal Register|publisher=Surface Transportation Board|access-date=4 January 2017|archive-date=4 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104233917/https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/12/06/2016-29241/southwest-pennsylvania-railroad-company-abandonment-exemption-in-fayette-county-pa|url-status=live}}</ref> * West Brownsville: Main Street.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-12-19 |title=Dodging Traffic in West Brownsville |url=https://akronrrclub.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/dodging-traffic-in-west-brownsville/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125133428/https://akronrrclub.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/dodging-traffic-in-west-brownsville/ |archive-date=2025-01-25 |access-date=2026-05-17 |work=akronrrclub.wordpress.com |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:BLOG).|date=May 2026}}
==== Tennessee ==== * Paris: N Fentress St.-S Caldwell-McNeil St.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://parishenrycoedc.com/railroads/. | title=Railroads – Paris/Henry County Economic Development Corporation |website=Parish Henry County Industrial Committee|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251108011313/https://parishenrycoedc.com/railroads/|archive-date=2025-11-08}}</ref>
==== Texas ==== * San Antonio: ** N Comal St. - San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway, then Southern Pacific, then Union Pacific. Removed and bypassed in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://webapp1.sanantonio.gov/archivedagendas/docsguest/5stw01!.PDF |title=Comal Street Railroad Track Relocation, Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad |author=Wendorf |date=2004-10-18 |website=Sebapp1.sanantonio.gov |first=Thomas G. |access-date=2022-04-02 |archive-date=2022-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127154728/https://webapp1.sanantonio.gov/archivedagendas/docsguest/5stw01!.PDF |url-status=live }}</ref> ** Jones Ave. and Emma Koehler - Texas Transportation Company, electric trolley freight railway, most tracks removed 2002.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cumbie|first1=Jim|last2=Schmidt|first2=L.W.|title=San Antonio: The Beer Line [A brief history of the Texas Transportation Company]|date=Spring 1990|magazine=The New Electric Railway Journal|issn=1048-3845|pages=21–22 and 27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Werner|first=George C.|title=Texas Transportation Company|work=The Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/eqt17|accessdate=Jan 16, 2023|archive-date=August 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810023713/https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/eqt17|url-status=live}}</ref>
==== Virginia ==== * Richmond: On a street without a name under the Triple Railroad Bridge Crossing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://american-rails.com/triple-crossing.html|title=Richmond's Railroad Triple Crossing (Virginia)|date=2024-08-24|website=American Rails|last=Burns|first=Adam|access-date=2023-02-07|archive-date=2023-02-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207145843/https://www.american-rails.com/triple-crossing.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==== Washington ==== * Renton: Tracks in the middle of Houser Way S are used by several businesses, including delivery of Boeing 737 airliner fuselages to the Boeing Renton Factory.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Byrnes |first=Mark |date=2014-03-04 |title=Planes, Delivered By Trains |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-03-04/planes-delivered-by-trains |access-date=2024-11-26 |work=Bloomberg}}</ref>
==== West Virginia ==== * St. Marys: 2nd. Street.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://onlyinyourstate.com/west-virginia/st-marys-downtown-wv/ | title=There's Nowhere else on Earth with a Downtown Quite Like St. Marys, West Virginia | date=5 January 2021 | website=Onlyinyourstate.com | last=Carr | first=Cristy | access-date=7 February 2023 | archive-date=7 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207143259/https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/west-virginia/st-marys-downtown-wv/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
===Vietnam=== While the Vietnamese railway network has many level crossings, street running trains in Vietnam are rare. One example is the branch line between Dĩ An station and Dĩ An train workshop, which has a few street running sections in small neighborhoods.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hưng|first=Phước|date=3 August 2024|title=Bảo đảm an toàn giao thông đường sắt: Cần khẩn trương giải quyết một số tồn tại|url=https://baobinhduong.vn/bao-dam-an-toan-giao-thong-duong-sat-can-khan-truong-giai-quyet-mot-so-ton-tai-a327883.html|website=Báo Bình Dương|language=vi|access-date=2 January 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209094046/https://baobinhduong.vn/bao-dam-an-toan-giao-thong-duong-sat-can-khan-truong-giai-quyet-mot-so-ton-tai-a327883.html|archive-date=2024-12-09|trans-title=Ensuring railway traffic safety: It is necessary to urgently address some existing issues}}</ref>
==See also== * Green track * Level crossing * List of road-rail bridges * List of road-rail tunnels * Reserved track, where vehicles have a separate right of way (typically used in a tram transport context) * Tramway track
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Commonscatinline}} * {{Wikivoyageinline|Street-running trains}}
{{Public transport}} {{Road}}
Category:Street running