Press Releases

The Connecticut Trolley Museum Opens for Its Full Operating Season

East Windsor, CT - The Connecticut Trolley Museum opens for its summer season starting Monday, May 31. Hours are Mon. Wed. Thurs. & Fri. 10-3:30, Sat. 10-4:30 and Sun 12-4:30.

One of the new items on display this year is Engine 1386 . Delivered for duty in 1895 and nicknamed “Black Maria” (pronounced Mariah), it was the first double truck direct-electric steeple cab freight locomotive ever produced by General Electric Company. The engine moved freight cars from the connecting Norwich & Worcester Railroad to the Taftville (CT) Cotton Mills (later knows as the Ponemah Mills) until August 3, 1964. The last load she hauled was starch which she brought to the mills. The last trip she made under power was when she drove herself onto a flatbed trailer for a trip to The Museum of Electricity in Niskayuna, NY. The museum never came to be so she sat there for 6 years until she arrived at the CT Trolley Museum on October 21, 1971. She can now be seen inside the Visitor’s Center where she is lovingly being restored.

Admission prices to view Engine 1386 and much more are: $8 adults, $7 seniors (62+), $5 youth (2-12) and under 2 is free. Your admission price includes as many trolley rides as you would like, also admission to the CT Trolley Museum and the CT Fire Museum. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy. There is a gift shop on the grounds and a small snack bar which is open on weekends only. The museum is located at 58 North Rd, East Windsor, less than one mile off of I91 exit 45. Additional information is available at www.ct-trolley.org or call 860 627 6540

The Connecticut Trolley Museum begins its 70th year

Trolley + Easter Bunny = Fun

 

East Windsor, CT - April 2 – The Connecticut Trolley Museum opens for the season on Friday, April 2.  New this year is the exhibit: “History & Evolution of the Electric Trolley and its Impact on Society”.   Included in this exhibit are: Car 65, the first car acquired by the museum back in 1941and Car 2056 which was built and ran in Springfield, MA. The Ponemah Mills Locomotive once switched boxcars in Taftville, CT. and was built by General Electric can also be seen.  Rides on authentic trolley cars lets you experience what life was like back in simpler times and your period dressed motorman will explain the history of the car you are riding, each car has it’s own story.

 

The Connecticut Fire Museum, on the same grounds will also open for the season this same day and is included in your admission price.  See antique fire trucks and apparatus, sure to be of interest to all.

 

Saturday, April 3 is Easter Bunny Fun Day.  A family fun filled day, each child will get an Easter Egg containing a surprise, a small craft to create plus there will be face painting, tattoos, train tables to play at, bubble tables and of course the Easter Bunny will be there so don’t forget your cameras. Ride the trolley cars; enjoy the informative film in the theater and shop for souvenirs in the gift shop.  Start the day with breakfast with the Easter Bunny in the dining car, 8am –10am (not included with admission).  Reservations are requested by calling 860.627.6540.

 

The Connecticut Trolley Museum is located at 58 North Road, East Windsor, CT.  Hours are Friday, 10 AM – 3:30 PM and Saturday 10 AM – 4:30 PM and will be open rain or shine.  More information can be found at www.ct-trolley.org or by calling 860.627.6540.

 

 

 

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Trolley Operators Needed

 

East Windsor CT: The Connecticut Trolley Museum is in search of men and women who would like to volunteer at the museum and become motormen. If you are a rail buff, or maybe a history buff, love people and want to enjoy yourself while teaching others about the trolley era, the first class begins on May 1 at the museum. You will be trained on how to operate trolley cars from all over the world along with the history of each car. All that is necessary is that you have a valid driver’s license, be able to pass a DOT physical and then become a member of the museum ($20 for Senior, $30 for adults). All training takes place on weekends.

The Connecticut Trolley Museum was founded in October of 1940 and it is the nation’s oldest incorporated organization dedicated to the preservation of streetcars and the trolley era.

Please contact the museum at 860 627 6540 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more info or to sign up for the class.

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