Connecticut Trolley Museum

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A New Orleans streetcar stops at the Isle of Safety (originally at State St, Hartford)
A New Orleans streetcar stops at the Isle of Safety (originally at State St, Hartford)

Founded in 1940, the Connecticut Trolley Museum is the oldest incorporated museum dedicated to electric railroading in the United States.

The museum is located in East Windsor, Connecticut and is open to the public most of the year, featuring static displays and self-guided tours of the state's trolley history.

Contents

[edit] Heritage railroad

The museum operates a 1.5 mile heritage railroad over the original right-of-way of the Hartford and Springfield Street Railway Company. Unlimited rides on cars are included in the admission for the day. At least two different cars are run each day.

[edit] Collection

A 1929 Canadian Car & Foundry double truck
A 1929 Canadian Car & Foundry double truck
A trolley's interior
A trolley's interior

The museum preserves over 70 pieces of rolling stock comprised of trolleys, railcars, locomotives, and railroad work equipment.

Operational cars include:

  • Rio de Janiero Tramways car 1850
  • Montreal Tramways cars 4 and 2600
  • Connecticut Company car 1326
  • Springfield Terminal combine car 16
  • Illinois Terminal PCC car 451
  • New Orleans Public service car 836

Cars in limited service include:

  • Connecticut Company car 840
  • Fair Haven and Westville Railroad car 355

Work equipment includes:

  • Hartford Electric Light Co. diesel 1
  • Oshawa Locomotive 18
  • Ponemah Mills locomotive/line car S193
  • B&M tie crane TH-2
  • CERA flat car S194

Trolleys on display in the visitor center include:

  • Northern Ohio Traction and Light Parlor car 1500
  • Springfield Electric Railway combine car 10
  • 5 Mile Beach Electric Railway car 36
  • Boston Elevated Railway Type 5 car 5645

[edit] Special events

The museum is known for special events held throughout the year, including Winterfest & The Tunnel of Lights (Thanksgiving through New Years), Pumpkin Patch (October), the Native American Pow Wow (September), and Railfan Weekend (June & September).

[edit] Connecticut Fire Museum

Located on the same property is the Connecticut Fire Museum which exhibits antique fire apparatus and motor coaches. A full-service restaurant located in an old railroad passenger car is also located on the museum property.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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