Hello Fans of the CT Trolley Museum ,
We are now in the midst of our Annual Fund Raising Campaign with a goal of raising at least $135,000. These funds will be used to support both our general operations as well as a number of new and exciting special projects.
I am asking that you consider making a contribution to support this work. Your donation, combined with the hard work and dedication of the Museum’s volunteers, staff and Board of Directors can have a big impact!
Thanks to a number of early gifts, we raised more than $60,000 in gifts and pledges by the end of May. A listing of those contributions is below. As was the case last year, we have established two higher giving levels. Donors can join the Leadership Circle with gifts of $2,500 and up or the Heritage Club with gifts ranging from $500 to $2,000. Perhaps this may be a possibility for you, but if not, I want you to know that a contribution in any amount would be welcome. And if you have already made a gift, THANK YOU!
I appreciate your consideration. Below is a list of this year’s projects. We all want you to know how your gift will be used. Thanks for being part of the Museum family and I hope to hear from you soon.
You can print out this form and send in your donation or you can donate online here.
Sincerely,
Gina Maria Alimberti
Executive Director
CONNECTICUT TROLLEY MUSEUM
 SPECIAL PROJECTS FOR 2021
  • To install two paved walkways. One will lead from the Visitor Center to the Isle of Safety where our guests board the trolleys and the other will connect to it, running from the visitor parking lot. No more struggling with mud, dirt or uneven surfaces. Note: This project was completed on April 28th.
  • To make available up to $45,000 in additional funds to support the multi-year restoration of Connecticut Company Car 3001. This is a total re-build of a 99 year old trolley that ran from Torrington to Winsted, Conn. until 1929 and then in New Haven until 1948.
  • We have engaged the services of a professional engineering firm from Glastonbury, Conn. to create a drainage improvement plan for the Museum’s property. The Museum has been plagued for years with drainage problems that have created erosion and ponding issues. By not having a proper plan in place, the Museum is unable to go forward with parking lot improvements and developing a site plan for future building construction.
  • The Museum has established a working relationship with nearby Local 42 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to start replacing – on a no cost basis – many of the poles to support the wires to power our trolleys along the right of way. The Museum has temporarily rented a specialized vehicle needed for pole installation and the Union has donated the funds for the cost of 20 new poles. It is estimated that 40 or more poles will be installed this year.
  • Substantial track work will be undertaken by an outside contractor(s) and by the Museum’s volunteer Track Department. This would include tie and ballast replacement leading from Kelly Barn to where the operating trolleys are parked, replacing the timbers on two switches, repairing a road crossing and replacing 40 ties along the tracks on the right of way.
  • A new professionally designed exhibit – perhaps the first in the Museum’s history – will be created and installed in the Visitor Center, the subject matter being the history of the Hartford & Springfield Street Railway Company which operated on both sides of the Connecticut River from 1902 to 1926. The Museum runs its trolleys on a portion of the Company’s branch line that connected Warehouse Point in East Windsor to Rockville, Conn. A Museum volunteer is doing the research with a professional graphics designer and an exhibits company to do the installation.
  • Maintenance, motor and cosmetic work will be performed on our 98 year old Boston Elevated Railway Car 5645 which is part of the Museum’s operating fleet. The estimated cost for this work is $15,000. Compare that to its original price of $11,400!
  • The floor will be replaced on Montreal Tramways Car 4. This observation car, also 98 years old, was in service in Montreal until the late 1940’s. It is perhaps the Trolley Museum’s most popular car, especially on hot summer days and when it runs under the Tunnel of Lights during the Museum’s Winterfest.
We will also, as time permits, undertake maintenance and repair work on trolley cars 836, 65, 101 and Line Car 1. Connecticut Company Car 65 was the very first trolley to be acquired by the Museum. It first saw service running from Norwich to Putnam, Conn. Built in Springfield, Mass., it is now 115 years old!
Most of these projects can be seen below.
Also, the Museum has begun a planning process to assess our current situation in terms of infrastructure, operations and public programs and then to create a multi-year development program. We are very much looking forward our future!
Connecticut Trolley Museum | 58 North Rd, East Windsor , CT 06088