SHELBURNE FALLS — Turn back the clock with a spin on the village’s 122-year-old trolley car, as the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum celebrates its annual “Trolleyfest” on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
When the car was built in 1896 by the Wason Mfg. Co. of Springfield, it was considered state-of-the-art, with its lights and electric heater. As a vehicle that carried both freight and passengers, Trolley No. 10, was operated by the Shelburne Falls and Colrain Street Railway Co. for 30 years, until the trolley company went out of business in 1928. The trolley car was saved by the Johnson family of Colrain and kept on their farm for 65 years, until it was donated to the fledgling museum in 1992.
After a complete restoration by volunteers, No. 10 ran again on tracks in the Buckland rail yard on Oct. 9, 1999, with a festival honoring the trolley, its donors and the volunteers.
Trolleyfest visitors will be able to ride Trolley No. 10 and the pump care, as well as the museum’s caboose. Besides train rides, there are wooden and electric trains for children in the Visitors Center. Also, visitors will be able to send messages by telegraph.
Old-time music will be provided by the Whistlestop Players; Trolley Era reenactors will also be on board the trolley. There will be historic farm and factory products and demonstrations of activities that the trolley line supported, such as cider pressing, and butter-making.
Visitors may sample vinegar products and may try out adult and children’s weaving looms. At 1:15 p.m., local author Marie Betts Bartlett will read her book, “The Little Yellow Trolley Car,” written about Trolley Car No. 10. There will be snack foods for sale and games to play from the early 1900s.
All-day adult passes are $4 and youth passes are $2, with children under age 6 admitted free.
For more information, go online to: www.sftm.org.