All aboard! One of the most iconic sights in Kennebunkport, Maine is the beloved sightseeing trolley. In keeping with its time-honored tradition, we visited the Seashore Trolley Museum (New England Electric Railway Historical Society), which is the largest and oldest electric railway museum in the world. Experiencing the museum and riding a vintage electric trolley at the Seashore Trolley Museum was the perfect way to experience an electric trolley and learn about the history and how they played a substantialand very important role in changing the lives of many. The Seashore Trolley Museum opened in 1939 to preserve the past and celebrate the age of the trolleys.
Engineer Debra
We visited the Seashore Trolley Museum on a beautiful Autumn Sunday in late October 2018. We began by exploring the museum’s indoor collection of historic trolley memorabilia to learn more about the electric trolley before taking a ride on one of their vintage trolleys, and what a ride it was!
Let’s go for a ride on the Trolley
We boarded the bright yellow trolley number 1267 and handed our reproduction vintage ticket to the conductor to be hand-punched as a souvenir of our visit. The trolley, a Twin City Class H-6, ‘Gate Car’. was built in 1907, retired from use by the Twin Cities Rapid Transit Company in 1952, and acquired by the museum in 1953.
Edward F. Nesta and Conductor Roger Tobin
Watch YouTube video clip – Riding a Trolley at the Seashore Trolley Museum – https://youtu.be/eFJbvLVveD0
The trolley featured a gleaming wood interior with yellow rattan woven seats, and reproduction vintage signs advertising men’s and young men’s suits and overcoats from $15.00 to $18.00, and many more products, to create the perfect ambience. We especially loved the signs advising riders that "smoking in this car is forbidden by law" and "please do not spit on floor."
View from the Trolley
Watch YouTube video clip – Brief History of Trolley– https://youtu.be/xGl3kciGZwI
During the informative and entertaining narrated 1.5-mile ride along the winding tracks of the original Atlantic Shore Line Railway, we learned about the history of the electric trolleys beginning with their inception in Kennebunkport in 1893. From our view from the trolley windows, the rich and vibrant reds, yellows, oranges, and golds of the Autumn leaves were perfectly framed like a Norman Rockwell painting.
Waiting Shelter
After our ride, we enjoyed exploring the outdoor buildings including the pretty yellow and green 1915 Morrison Hill Waiting Shelter that was originally in Wes Cumberland, Maine and acquired and restored by the museum in 1992. We also enjoyed seeing the diverse collection of trolleys that were on display in the Burton B. Shaw South Boston Car Barn,the Riverside Car Barn, and the Highwood Car Barn.
Trolley Postcards and Ticket
An especially significant part of the Seashore Trolley Museum collection was seeing the 1912 Narcissus from the Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI), which President Theodore Roosevelt rode in 1914. The Narcissus was one of the luxury coaches of the PLI line billed as "the finest and fastest electric railroad in all New England." "The Narcissus is the only surviving railway equipment from the PLI and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980." The Seashore Trolley Museum is in the process of restoring the Narcissus. For more information on the Narcissus Project, please visit: narcissus1912.blogspot.com
Debra C. Argen boarding the Trolley
After thoroughly exploring the museum’s interesting collection, we took time to visit their fascinating gift shop, which was chock full of treasures. We loved visiting the Seashore Trolley Museum, which is a perfect experience for all ages.
Railway Crossing
The Seashore Trolley Museum is open from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm with the last trolley departing at 4:15 pm from May through October rain or shine. They are open daily from Memorial Day in May through Columbus Day in October.
Historic Trolley 639
They are only open on weekends in early May and late October, and are open the first two weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) in December.
Edward F. Nesta checking out one of the many historic Trolleys
Admission: Adults (16-60): $12, Adults (60+): $10, Children (6-15): $9.50, Children (3-5):$5.00, Children (Under 3): Free.
For more information please visit their website: www.trolleymuseum.org
Seashore Trolley Museum
New England Electric Railway Historical Society
195 Log Cabin Road
PO Box A
Kennebunkport, Maine 04046
Telephone: +1-207-967-2800
Website: www.trolleymuseum.org
Read more about our experiences in Kennebunkport, Maine in the Destinations, Hotels and Resorts, Restaurants, and Chefs’Recipes sections.
Follow Luxury Experience on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/LuxuryExperience to see photos and videos.
Follow Luxury Experience on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/LuxuryPair
