I spent some of the summer learning to be a conductor and motorman at the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum. It's a pretty small museum, but I think the volunteers make up for that with friendliness and enthusiasm.
Trolleyfest will be Saturday, September 17, 11 AM - 5 PM. If you're nearby come and join us.
Below is more detail from our fearless leader.
+++ Saturday September 17, Shelburne Falls, MAA special feature of Trolleyfest 2005 at the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum will be a 2 p.m. showing of "Then and Now, Historic Scenes along the Trolley Line". "Then and Now" is a slide presentation of old photographs and postcards from the trolley era, 1896-1926, along the route of the Shelburne Falls & Colrain Street Railway. Shown alongside the historic views are current pictures of the same places, so viewers can see what has changed, and what hasn't, since the trolley days. Admission to "Then and Now" is free, donations are encouraged.
Trolleyfest 2005 is a celebration of the restoration of trolley car No. 10 and the trolley line it used to run on from Shelburne Falls, over the Bridge of Flowers, to Colrain. Trolleyfest features trolley rides, antique pump car rides and races, a tag sale, miniature trains (some large enough to ride on), industrial and agricultural displays related to the trolley line, caboose rides and a barbeque lunch.
Make reservations for the gourmet barbeque lunch at 625-6628, $11 for adults, under 12 is $6. Lunch is from noon to 1:30pm.
Trolleyfest 2005 runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday September 17. Tickets, good all day, are $2.50 for adults, $1.25 for 6-12, 5 and under are free. The museum is at 14 Depot Street, in the the Buckland freight yard, just up the hill from the Bridge of Flowers. Call 413-625-9443 or see
The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum is open every weekend until Nov 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
+++Sam Bartlett Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum 14 Depot St. Museum 413-625-9443 PO Box 272 Office 413-624-0192 Shelburne Falls, MA 01370----------